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Today, after 15 and a half years, Phinnegan left our family and went to heaven. He has been like our baby for over 15 years and it was very tough to say goodbye to such a great dog, but we know that he’s had a great long life and experienced more than most dogs will ever imagine.
He's been to the top of Whistler mountain, ridden street cars in San Francisco, barked at Orca whales in Puget sound, taken a wine tour in Napa Valley, chased spawning salmon on Campbell River, stared down bears in Pemberton, swum with seals in Nanaimo, strolled down the Hollywood Walk of Fame and seen the Hip live (twice, in two different countries). He's dug for clams in PEI, eaten ice cream in Vermont, chased pelicans in the Gulf of Mexico, had peaches in Georgia and poutine in Montreal, seen Shakespeare in the Park in Stratford, and he wore a bow tie at our wedding. He’s been on over 20 flights, and had the distinct pleasure of lifting his leg on the soils of BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. He has been swimming in all 5 great lakes and 2 oceans.
He's consumed a great deal of physical space in this world, but it doesn't compare to the space he's held in our hearts.
Phinnegan has been a living diary of our lives for over 15 years. He slept on our bed every night, had his collar taken off and neck scratched every night, and cuddled with us on the couch – a true part of the family in every sense.
He's been with us as other very loved family members have arrived and sadly left us - he's shared in all our sorrow and our joy. Most of all, he's taught us by example the true meaning of joy, happiness and unconditional love.
Goodbye Phinnegan. We love you, and we'll miss you dearly.
Here’s our last morning cuddle with Phinnegan as a family.
And the next day, we had a ceremony for Phinnegan at Grandpa’s house in his own special garden with his old pal Rufus. Cooper drew him some wonderful pictures and hearts. We read a prayer for a him, and we put in some pictures of our family. We know that Phinnegan is now in heaven with Grandma – getting lots of pets and love – because his grandma always loved to spoil him.
We were surprised at the reaction we got from Cooper – he cried very hard for about 15 minutes and couldn’t stop. Such a heartfelt reaction from such a small child of his age. But Cooper has such a big heart and understood what it meant that Phinnegan was going to heaven. It’s heartbreaking that he knows so much about death at such a young age. I wish he didn’t have to learn these lessons for a very long time.
That night Cooper toasted to Phinnegan in heaven at the dinner table. And then we saw the most gorgeous sunset that night. We know it’s Phinnegan and Grandma looking down on us – sending us love forever.
We love you Phinnegan. You were a great dog/son/brother!!! We’ll never forget you. xoxoxo
