Tonight was a really hard night as we said goodbye to our sweet brown bear, Hailey. This girl got me through so many stages of life over the last 14 years and 4 months. She was a constant source of affection, cuddles, kisses, and sass. She was the most loving dog with a vibrant and comforting personality. In her younger years she was a feisty and playful pup that couldn’t get enough of the outdoors. She would spend forever walking around the yard or laying on the patio.  She operated on her own schedule. She loved to lay in the grass and sniff the air. She wouldn’t get out of the pond when I took her swimming. Bear, Cameron, and Lily have always been three peas in a pod together. It’s hard to imagine life without Hailey. We’ve been on too many car rides to count, gotten treats from Starbucks together, trips to the pet store, vacations and long weekends to Michigan, Kentucky, West Virginia, mom and dad’s, etc. We celebrated every birthday together on August 22, complete with party hats, cake, and toys. She had no fear as she would be in a noisy work environment with saws and dust and even when we ripped out the carpet recently to prepare for Finn’s arrival she was around us the entire time just hanging out in the room while we ripped out carpet and staples. She always wanted to be around people and would follow you anywhere just to lay down next to you. She loved Finn and would often lick his cheeks and give him kisses. He climbed all over her and she didn’t make a fuss.

The last couple of months it was harder for her to get around. But she was one tough cookie and typically made it everywhere she needed to until this last week. Kevin had to carry her outside the last several days for her to go potty. She had been fighting a bladder infection over the last month or two and this week she was just not able to walk well to where she needed to go. Eventually she made it to her water bowl and her bed in the family room but it wasn’t easy for her. 

So we celebrate more than 14 years of love she gave us. All of the places we’ve gone, the laughs we’ve had, the tears she’s helped comfort, and the sweet girl that she was! We are blessed that she was our girl.

We love you brown bear. xoxoxo