Happy Father's Day!

We celebrated Father's Day with the scenic nature drive at Merritt Island and the beach. I really wanted to spot a Florida Scrub Jay, the only endemic bird species to Florida. It is classified under the Endangered Species Act as Threatened due to loss of habitat. Despite the rain, we got lucky and saw this handsome guy...

One more week to our Summer vacation where there'll be lots of wildlife, hiking, cool temperatures, and breathtaking scenery - we are so excited!

Saying goodbye to our boy...

We finished Bryce's Bucket List today and took him to the beach to scatter his ashes. It was sad and beautiful - we miss him so much.

It's a huge comfort that Juneau is doing so well though and loving her through it really helps...

RIP Bryce

Sadly, our beautiful boy Bryce passed away recently. He fought bravely through heart failure, severe arthritis and pancreatitis over the past 6 months. Thanks to our amazing vet we were able to manage his pain and maintain good quality of life until recently. Ultimately however, the medications were unable to keep pace with his health decline and over a short period of just a week he went from playing in the yard to not being able to get out of his bed. We slept with him and held him 24/7 for the past week and when it was absolutely clear that he was not going to be able to get better, we gave him the final gift of a peaceful passing at home in his bed with his family, favorite toys and flowers around him. We made sure that Juneau was there too so that she is not confused as to where he has gone and we are focused on loving her all the more. We knew that adopting a bonded pair of senior dogs would be agonizing down the road but despite the pain, we wouldn’t change a thing. Bryce was such an incredible boy, it was an honor to be his Momma and we couldn’t have loved him more. RIP Handsome x

Weep not for me though I am gone

Into the gentle night.

Grieve if you will, but not for long

Upon my soul's sweet flight.

I am at peace, my soul's at rest

No need to shed a tear.

For with your love I was so blessed

For my final year.

There is no pain, I suffer not,

The fear now all is gone.

Put now these things out of your thoughts,

In your memory I live on.

Remember not my fight for breath

Remember not the strife.

Please do not dwell upon my death,

But celebrate my life.

Adapted from a poem by Constance Jenkins