Charlie and Lacey left us this week after having the best year of their life. When we rescued them last year, they were 14 years old and were being put down at the animal shelter after living their whole lives in a backyard. They would have been put to sleep at the hands of strangers with fear and sadness, so we brought them home to us instead. Over the last year, Charlie and Lacey received acupuncture, chiropractic, massage therapy, cold laser and water therapy every week. It helped them walk and even run and they were pain free and healthy. We brought them into our home and showed them love, kindness, and warmth. They were walked every day, taken for car rides and adventures, we sang to them, held them and loved them, and gave them the life they had always deserved.

We knew it was not going to last forever, especially because they were now 15 years old. A few weeks ago, their arthritis came creeping back in and they stopped walking. We tried increasing their therapy, we tried wheelchairs and slings to help them walk, but nothing seemed to work. They were not as strong as we had hoped in their front ends and could not hold themselves up in the wheelchairs. So we ended up just carrying them around, which is no small feat for 90 pound dogs. Then they no longer had control of their bladders anymore and we knew it was time. We want them to live with pride and dignity and respect always!

When we brought them home we promised Charlie and Lacey that they would have the best life and we would take excellent care of them for the rest of their lives, and we refused to fail them now. The biggest act of kindness and love that we can do for our furry family is allow them to go with dignity and grace when it is time. So this week we were strong and brave for them and helped them out of their bodies so they could be free. We held them, and thanked them for being in our lives, and bid them farewell as their gorgeous souls spiraled upwards to the heavens happy, free and full!

Thanks to everyone who donated towards their care. Thanks to our wonderful practitioners who gave them back their legs. And a special thanks to Michelle for bringing them into your home, letting them into your heart, allowing them to fall in love with you and you right back with them, and letting them know love! You helped us give them the best year of their lives and we are grateful! They will never forget you!

When we close our eyes we can still see them smiling!