AJ loved to hike throughout the greater Lake Tahoe area. (Image: Kathryn Reed)
When I started writing tributes to AJ on her 16th birthday I didn’t think I would still be at it today. This incredible dog of mine turns 19 on Valentine’s Day.
Getting to the highest point in her Tahoe yard–the top of the hot tub. (Image: Kathryn Reed)
It’s appropriate her other mom, Joy, picked this day for Audrey Jean’s birthday. (She was a rescue, so we don’t know the exact day she was born.) Appropriate because this dog stole my heart as well as Joy’s. The love she has provided both of us cannot be measured.
Joy returned that love in equally large quantities, as I do to this day.
AJ finds enough room to spread out in the Jeep while traveling to Baja. (Image: Kathryn Reed)
It was August 2012 that AJ came into my household; just days after Joy died of cancer. I never would have guessed that she would end up spending as much time with me as she did Joy. Joy and I have been incredibly lucky to share one special dog.
AJ is far from perfect. She had so much energy when I first got custody of her that she could run, and run, and run. We would go hiking and off she would go. My throat would be sore yelling for her to come back. She always did, but never quickly. And one time she came back with her side slashed so stitches were necessary. Another time she escaped her doggie day care in South Lake Tahoe, and walked home to discover I wasn’t there. Oh, the stories I could write about her.
Waiting patiently to go for a walk. (Image: Kathryn Reed)
Today, well, it’s hard to get her to want to go on a walk of any distance. She does laps in the house, which gets her exercise. She has a small back yard to wander around in, smell plants and water them as well. My mom doesn’t even wince knowing this is happening. (Mom is the gardener.)
One winter the snow was so abundant AJ could look over the fence. (Image: Kathryn Reed)
AJ and I have had the talk—more than once, and several times of late. Her energy is waning. She is literally on her last legs as her back right one keeps getting weaker. She gets a regular dose of some substance that is to help with the osteoarthritis and gets a CBD nugget twice a day. She has pads to give her traction on the inside floors.
Do dogs really stop to smell the flowers while hiking? (Image: Kathryn Reed)
I have looked up end of life options in the area and there are multiple people who could come to the house.
This will be her last birthday. She has done what she was put on the earth to do. She has been with me through so much happiness and so much sadness. She’s even lived in another country. What a great traveler she was on those long treks.
She has multiple coats, and has never liked getting into any of them. (Image: Kathryn Reed)
When we were in Baja I asked her if she could stay around long enough to get me to whatever my next venture was going to be. She’s done that. And she’s experienced it with me for nearly a year.
In her prime, AJ was quite the runner. (Image: Kathryn Reed)
I can’t ask more of this dog. She’s already given me more than I ever expected. Now it’s my turn to make sure whatever time she has left is as pain free as possible (I have stronger stuff for her too) and that she knows how loved she is.
Call it therapy; her favorite place at her Auntie Jann’s in Todos Santos was the gravel. (Image: Kathryn Reed)
I have doggie cake and ice cream to make her on what assuredly is her last trip around the sun.
Happy Birthday, girl. I love you.
Such a wonderful tribute to AJ. I have tears in my eyes as I read this, as we are all dog lovers and hate it when their lives come to an end. You two have had many wonderful adventures and she has brought such joy to you as you have to her. Enjoy her remaining days. There’s nothing like the thump of the tail even if that is all she can give.
Kae, I can’t tank you enough for the life you have given AJ. She was the light in Joys life and she definitely picked the right dog mommy for AJ going forward. I’m sure she will let you know when the time is right. Joy will be waiting with open arms. 😍
What a beautiful dog and story
Beautifully written. What a special companion AJ has been, and so well loved.
What a wonderful tribute to such an amazing, sweet, special fur bunny! I love seeing these photos of her in her earlier years. So much energy and vitality. And I feel especially happy that we got to enjoy her presence here in Baja for an extended amount of time. What an inspiration. What Love~
Thank you Kathryn ( and Joy) for taking such good care of this precious Being while she has visited our planet. Wherever she goes next, I know she’ll keep on enjoying her life, exploring and sharing that great Love that she is.
Ahhh AJ…you’ve done good girl!!
My arms are around you and AJ. You’ve held each other close all these years.
What a wonderful tribute . A much loved fur baby for sure
Our dogs always take pieces of our hearts.they become so much more than their physical size. They change our lives, and teach us so much.
Hugs
So sweet!!!
My hat’s off to AJ. There’s nothing better than a good dog.
I wasn’t prepared to feel so emotional about a dog I have only met on a handful of occasions. Maybe it brings of memories of lost canine loves of my past. Thank you for this sweet post. “Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and very dear.” Hugs to you, Kae!
Such a beautiful tribute, Kae. I am sitting here weeping. You have been the perfect doggie mom. I’m sure all the activity you had with A.J. through the years kept her in such great shape for so long. I’m also looking at my sweet Panda and wondering how many years she has left.
Beautiful Kae! We love you AJ.. thank you for enriching your Moms lives as only a dog can.
What a great life you have given AJ. And she giving back to you Kae. Happy trails AJ.
You remind me that Valentine’s Day was our Buddy’s chosen birthday too. They always live in our hearts, even two dogs ago. Hugs to you and sweet AJ. Old dogs break my heart.
So beautiful and poignant. The memories with this dog of dogs will always be with me, from following me to the bathroom to breaking trail in front. She is loved. ❤️
Kae, such a beautiful tribute to your beloved AJ ! Our doggies are so special and give us so much unconditional love! She is in Rainbow Bridge now running around! You have been blessed to have her and AJ blessed to have had You !
🐶❤️ from Tracey