When I found Tipsy at the Whitman County Humane Society in the fall of 2011, I had no idea that I had found my soul mate. I was a Sophomore at WSU and living in Campus Commons with a few friends. My grandpa had just died and school was challenging so I naturally got a dog so that I’d have something other than myself to be responsible for.

Tips kept me sane during all my years of school. I made sure to be home as often as possible to be with her. She reminded me to get out for walks for fun, not just to get to and from campus. She made me smile and laugh when I was stressed. And she was there for graduation.

After school we tried living in Bellingham for a while till that didn’t work out. During that time though she got to play at the beach a lot. Eventually, we crash landed back in Boise, where I grew up. She was there for me during that whole transition. She moved with me wherever I moved. Then 4 years ago I bought a house. I had promised her that she’d have her own yard and that’s what she got. We had been so many places but none of them had felt like ours till we got here.

Over her life, Tipsy has back packed, white water rafted, hiked, swam, played in the ocean, and gone on many other adventures. My friends and family tell me that she’s had a fuller life than some people. In reality she’s the one that inspired me to live a life of adventure. Or to at least find adventure in the little things like our neighborhood walks.

Back in September of 2023, Tipsy was diagnosed with Lymphoma. Luckily I got her into the vet in time and we were able to get her 7 more months of life. Dr. Kristine Walters at West Vet Oncology is someone I’ll never forget. She walked us through all of the options with utmost empathy and gave Tips the best care she could get. Tipsy was even lucky enough to get 6 weeks of remission! After that 6 weeks was over we tried another drug and made sure to check things off the bucket list. This included a float on the Snake River with our family.

Her last weekend on Earth was good. So many people came to say their good bye’s and love on her. She made such a positive impact on so many. Then on April 8th, Kristine came to my house and we sent Tipsy across the rainbow bridge together. It was peaceful and she was able to be in the comfort of our home that I had promised her.

I love and miss Tipsy so much every day. She is my best friend and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her. I wouldn’t have found her had I not come to WSU. I wouldn’t have come to WSU without the fact that my God Mother got her Veterinary Degree here. So thank you to everyone working to become a Vet. You’re truly amazing and will make a massive impact on someone’s life.

Here’s to living your best life, eating all the treats and going on all of the adventures!