Goodbye Darling McKenzie

the last month or so has been big a one for us. and at a time of our biggest happiness, we also experienced our deepest sadness. :(

5 weeks ago, our little McKenzie was hit by a car and killed out the front of our house. I have been trying to write this post for the last month... but it is just so hard. I still expect to see her happy little face come running round the corner with a squeaky toy in her mouth.

it happened in an instant - she was taken from us. she frolicked out onto the road after her big brother Cooper to go see another doggy on the other side. she wouldn't have seen it coming and she wouldn't have felt a thing. unfortunately we are the ones left to feel her loss.

she was with us for just over 2 and a half years, but boy did we love her - she totally earned her nickname of Mischievous McKenzie but she put a smile on our faces every single day. although it took Coop a long time to warm to her, he is heartbroken also. the place is so empty without her. we know in time the pain will go away, and we just wait for that day.

but, we must celebrate her life. she was the sweetest little girl, who loved us unconditionally. we rescued her from the humane society when she was just a pup, and gave her the best life a doggy can have.

she had a nice big yard to run free in and soak up the rays

a big brother to snuggle

to keep her warm

and to pester

she had an endless supply of treats

squeaky toys

walks

play dates

and park visits

she went on camping trips

beach tripshikes

car rides

and even boat tripsShe not only had Cooper as her big brother, she had a best friend in Max.

she warmed not only our hearts but our bed as we'd often wake up with her snuggled right under the sheets down at your feet - without us even knowing...

it happened the day after we brought Mabel home from the hospital, and while Mabel had gotten to hear her barks and funny little howl while she was in my belly

this was as close as they really got...

I have a feeling the 3 of them would have gotten into all sorts of mischief together.

she had a great life, if but a short one. Bryce said to me "All Dogs Go to Heaven" and I imagine her running around there with a smile on her face just like this photo here.

we love you and miss you so much our little McKenzie!

we all scream for ice cream

check out the intensity of these two when offered this delicious doggy treat :)

happy friday!

it's a brisk one here this morning, the grass was all crunchy when we took Coop and Kenzie for their morning frolic in the park, but Coop (being a Canadian) doesn't mind a little ice on his belly to cool him down after chasing the frisbee :)

this weekend we are gearing up for renovations, and we're very excited.

what plans do you have this weekend? I hope you have a wonderful weekend and can enjoy the sunshine!

happy weekend

even thought bryce and I both worked this weekend, we got to hang out with our two favourite furry folk, and that made for a happy weekend.

what fun did you get up to?

poodle (and pooch) parade

on sunday we headed out to the annual poodle parade which as it turns out wasn't exclusive to poodles, there were doggies of all shapes and sizes all over the place!

Hannah with mckenzie, max and cooper poses for a picture while we waited for our turn on the red carpet
gino goes head to head with a french bulldog

we got bored while we waited, there must have been 150 dogs all lined up to strut their stuff, so I thought it would be a good idea to get a cute group photo of gino, charlotte, cooper, mckenzie and max sitting all in a row... here's how that turned out

this was the only cat at the parade - a sphinx cat at that (hairless) and their owners really got into it all dressed up as vampires... I must say I like their umbrella though - I have never seen an umbrella built for 2 (or 3 in this case)

Hannah and Max (awww)
and it was their turn on the red carpet
lots of dogs had to be helped up those stairs, but not little Max, he's a determined little guy
they worked the catwalk and did a trick where Max jumps through Hannah's leg and the crowd was very impressed!
quick stop for the puparazzi (I'm so funny... :P)
dog modeling is so exhausting...
Cody and Gino were up next and he was almost the biggest dog there (so many small fluffy types)
all for the reward of the treat though, hey Gino?awww
ok that's enough now...
this poodle was dressed up like Mr T, I think
we won a $30 gift voucher to a local pet store in a raffle - yay mckenzie!

and now it was Coop's turn, and we were determined to show up clever Max with a combo of tricks :) first high 5
then shake
dance
and then through the leg - yay!
quick photo opand then it was McKenzie's turn which her trick was just making it through without getting too scared (the poor skittish girl)... family portrait

and then they're outta there!
it was so hot so we didn't stick around for much after that, so we cooled down with some frozen yogurt yumminess