I got Willow ,a Golden Retriever from a backyard breeder when she was 7 weeks old. She was the runt of the litter and the most onry as well.She was my "furkid" I took her through both basic and offleash obediance school and she was the most 'hyperest' golden any trainer had ever seen.She would often times take off and just about rip your shoulder out of the socket when she was a puppy.I took her everywhere with me that I was able to.I was going to train her to be a service dog and also a therapy dog to bring into places to visit the ill.She had what I called "picca' she would eat everything, rope,rocks,just swallow them whole. She had 2 surgeries before from eating things and I had to watch her like a hawk.She finally outgrew that at about age 3. I just sold my house in Ferndale and moved back to my hometown of Burlington and hadn't established a vet yet for her.After Christmas in 2011 she became ill and would not eat nor could she go to the bathroom,she had done this before so i used the remedy i usually used and figured she would get better and be ok. However after 4 days she did not. It was New Years when I finally took her into Chuckanut Valley Vet in Burlington at the advice of my parents who take their pets there. They found out she had an obstruction and tried to flush it out on its own.. However unfortunataly that did not work so surgery was in order.Come to find out a huge sharp bone was impacted in her intestines and had punctured through her muscle!!How and why do you ask she can even swallow that nor does she want to? She was a crazy dog! She came out of surgery fine and was in the ICU for a few days. I was excited to be picking her up on Wednesday the 4th. I got a call and went in to talk to the vet and she had complications after the surgery and so I chose to put an end to her misery and pain. My mom, brother and sister in law were with me to say goodbye to Willow, she was my furkid and only 4 years old.I felt in my heart it was her time to go. I guess everything happens for a reason. I absolutely put the upmost gratitude to the staff there and especially to the Dr who did the surgery and was very caring and supportive every step of the way.I felt they really cared about Willow and myself and appreciate all that they did. They did their best and all they could do for her.I chose the option to have her cremated and I am going to spread her ashes when its time.My sister in law also lost her newfie on the exact same date the month before and she cremated him as well. We both got our dogs on the same day when they were puppies and they were both 4 years old when they passed.I think her dog was calling for Willow in doggie heaven and I am assured that they are having a lot of fun up there right now together again , free of pain and in peace.

R.I.P. Willow ~Sept.27,2007-Jan.4th,2012

Sarah N.