Ava
A donation was made in memory of Ava by the doctors and staff at Burien Veterinary Hospital on Oct 26, 2023.
With love and compassion we let our beloved sweet Ava go to run free forever... a mere 10 days before her 14th birthday.
She was the only female with 4 brothers - whiter than white with a solid brown head cascading capelike down her neck and 'two dots' small and brown next to each other on her side which became her namesake.
She was so strong, even from the beginning, and was the first to climb out of the sheer wood whelping pen to roam free. It was like she knew she was coming with us and wanted us to know she was prepared for her mountain climbing adventure life as she was the only one who went right into the airplane travel carrier we sent weeks ahead for her to get used to.
We named her Ava -Latin for bird/birdlike- as not only are GSP's bird dogs but she herself flew with us across the country from upstate NY to Seattle.
She joined Sienna who was about 6 at the time and they shared the same upstate NY roots albeit from very different beginnings. The two became great companions who wrestled and played and ran hard and adventured with us to so many remote and wild places. Ava learned many of her life and mountain skills from Sienna and kept her spirit alive when she passed.
And even when Ava's dark face turned white she hiked more miles and elevation gain than many -including over 40 of WA highest bulger list peaks- through sun and snow, on trails, bushwacking through forest, endless talus and scree, elegantly leapt giant boulders and up steep rocks, balanced on narrow ridges and exposed cliffs, flowed over rambling hills through meadows and streams, she viewed it all with brilliant grace and an enduring attitude always motivating her humans to go farther but who were never quite fast enough to keep up with her. She only occasionally stopped, sometimes to use a burnt stick as a pillow while we rested, until the tent was setup and she dived into our down sleeping bags to sleep and snuggle until she could do it all again the next day.
We both feel incredibly lost with immense grief at the loss of our sweet Ava ... she will not be forgotten and she can never be replaced. Her memories shine bright within us though -like the streak of white lightening she was when young and running so far, fast and free- her spirit will be with us forever and her quiet calm wisdom that she did her best to impart to her young mentor pup Ember will continue to influence her over all her years to come.
May our dearest Ava -our one and only- rest in peace while soaring from peak to peak and peak- for now you are free....
10.21.2009 - 10.11.2023
She was the only female with 4 brothers - whiter than white with a solid brown head cascading capelike down her neck and 'two dots' small and brown next to each other on her side which became her namesake.
She was so strong, even from the beginning, and was the first to climb out of the sheer wood whelping pen to roam free. It was like she knew she was coming with us and wanted us to know she was prepared for her mountain climbing adventure life as she was the only one who went right into the airplane travel carrier we sent weeks ahead for her to get used to.
We named her Ava -Latin for bird/birdlike- as not only are GSP's bird dogs but she herself flew with us across the country from upstate NY to Seattle.
She joined Sienna who was about 6 at the time and they shared the same upstate NY roots albeit from very different beginnings. The two became great companions who wrestled and played and ran hard and adventured with us to so many remote and wild places. Ava learned many of her life and mountain skills from Sienna and kept her spirit alive when she passed.
And even when Ava's dark face turned white she hiked more miles and elevation gain than many -including over 40 of WA highest bulger list peaks- through sun and snow, on trails, bushwacking through forest, endless talus and scree, elegantly leapt giant boulders and up steep rocks, balanced on narrow ridges and exposed cliffs, flowed over rambling hills through meadows and streams, she viewed it all with brilliant grace and an enduring attitude always motivating her humans to go farther but who were never quite fast enough to keep up with her. She only occasionally stopped, sometimes to use a burnt stick as a pillow while we rested, until the tent was setup and she dived into our down sleeping bags to sleep and snuggle until she could do it all again the next day.
We both feel incredibly lost with immense grief at the loss of our sweet Ava ... she will not be forgotten and she can never be replaced. Her memories shine bright within us though -like the streak of white lightening she was when young and running so far, fast and free- her spirit will be with us forever and her quiet calm wisdom that she did her best to impart to her young mentor pup Ember will continue to influence her over all her years to come.
May our dearest Ava -our one and only- rest in peace while soaring from peak to peak and peak- for now you are free....
10.21.2009 - 10.11.2023
