goodbye kona ♥

this week, one of the best dogs to grace this world  

left us. dog heaven sure got an angel in our kona!

my family's dog kona got sick recently and quickly 

went downhill, passing away in her sleep at home in 

her bed. she had a good long life of 12 years and although

the tears are nonstop, we're so lucky to have had her.

although there are much bigger hardships

and tragedies happening in this world, i

had to stop and feel the tenderness and

certain sadness that comes with losing a

dog. i know dogs aren't our whole life, 

but they sure make our lives whole. 

what is it about losing an animal that is so
tender? it's a lost companion that you know
felt your love, even though they couldn't tell
you. losing them makes you hope they really
knew how loved they were and it feels helpless
that you can't explain things to them...but i
know they know. dogs are old souls and the
most genuine, loving, loyal creatures on this
earth so each one is so hard to see go.

kona was truly special, and my family has

all cried together on facetime as it sinks in that

she is gone! she brought us so much happiness

and there's so much we loved about her...and

she loved us right back! she truly lived up to the

quote: a dog is the only thing on earth that 

loves you more than it loves itself."

so, in my usual way of coping, i'm making a list!

one big list of all the reasons we loved our kona.
this is mostly for our family and to remember all
of our favorite things about this member of our
family, but if you've ever loved a dog hopefully
you'll appreciate it. i'm crying already!

here's a little tribute to the best pup ever!

• kona was more human than dog, truly.
• she had a smile -- i promise! see:
  
  
• her tail was wagging always. it was never not wagging... even when she was sleeping!
• she was so obedient yet spunky.
• she was up for any adventure, rain-snow-or shine.
  
  
• she loved to be loved. she was always in search of a hand to pet her, or a person to nuzzle against. she would nudge your hand if you forgot to pet her for a second!
• she went to work with my mom every day and made friends everywhere she went.
  
  
• we all called her "konie," and so did our friends. our little nephew taggie couldn't say her name so he called her "tony" which made us laugh.
• she ran and hiked every single day with both of my parents.
  
  
• she even skiied lots of times, sprinting down the canyon in between my dad's skis.
  
  
• kona loved neff's canyon and pranced around like she owned the place whenever she was there...because she did own the place!
  
  
• she could sleep anywhere...even in a hammock!
  
  
• she loved her dog "husband" duke, our older dog who was waiting for her in heaven.
• she loved chewing bones so much that we started calling her "kone bone."
  
• she would ride in the back of the car with her head perched on the back of the headrest so you could see her little face in the rearview mirror while driving. she loved resting her head anywhere!
  
  
• she had 2 litters of darling puppies and was the cutest puppy mom! (and so tough to deliver 12 pups at home!)
  
  
• 
  

• she went sledding on our sleds with us all the time in neffs.
  
  

  
• she was always in the car at every airport pick up in my family, there to greet us! she even got brought inside once:
  
  
• all of our family friends know and love her. she's truly part of the dunns.
• she always laid with her paws smushed against her face in the cutest way.
  
  
• she had a chubby stage where we called her little piglet :)
• she sat like a human, on her bum instead of her legs.
  
  
• she got her own vet-approved special diet of pumpkin puree and costco green beans (her favorite)...oh, and popcorn of course :) no pet food for her! she really was part human!
• she made coming home to visit even better.
  
  
• she had the cutest face & whiskers, and we all thought she looked like a little seal. seriously, look one up- the resemblance is uncanny! that's why i always love seeing seals out here in california...they remind me of my kona!
• she let us dress her up all the time, whether for downton abbey pictures or as a sheep in our family christmas nativity :)
  
  
• my mom commissioned an artist to paint a picture of her that we all love and cherish...especially now!
  
  
• she loved sleeping on the bed with us when she was allowed, but would never jump up without being told.
• she let everyone hold her.
  
  
• she would push her way into any nook & cranny to cuddle up close to one of us.
  
  
• she was a big fan of popcorn once my dad introduced her to it. then it became their thing. hearing her crunch it was the cutest sound ever.
• she loved going in the car on errands with us.
  
  
• like every good dog, she knew how to find the perfect shaft of sunlight coming through the window and bask in it for hours. (i love this picture and spent many afternoons laying in the sun with her: )
  
  
• if she was outside wanting to come inside, she would NEVER bark...she'd only sit at the glass door looking in and silently waiting for someone to come. even as a puppy!
• i used to walk in on my mom having full conversations about her day with kona sitting there listening.
• she would follow you ANYWHERE you went in the house. she just wanted to be around people!
• she was always up for a run, a walk, or a hike, no matter how many times she had gone out that day.
  
  

i had lots of tears over this pup the past week knowing she was

going downhill, and even more when my mom called with the news.

but, there's a peaceful feeling about knowing she's now in dog heaven

and not in pain, and she didn't have to be put down. she went at home

where she was most comfortable. i love that dog and hope she knew it!

“dogs have given us their absolute all. we are the center of their universe. we are the focus of their love and faith and trust. they serve us in return for scraps. it is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made. ”

^^ this picture is from june when we were spending our last

family night together before my parents left for south africa..

she was so happy and lookin' wise beyond her years in this one.

i'm wondering if she was starting to realize they were leaving :(

^^ here she is on mount olympus way, her home turf...

on the walk up to neff's canyon. this was a month ago 

when i flew home for a wedding and saw her last.

i am so glad i got to go on one last walk together,

our favorite route! you can see her smile here :)

okay i'm too teary to write any more, 
so here's to man's best friend.

here's to one of the greats.

and here's to dog heaven!

xo 

ps...in case you need proof of my lifelong love

for white labs. we love you kea, duke, & kona!

we can't wait for more labs in our family and

hope you're all playing together in dog heaven. ♥

pps..i have the sweetest friends who made me feel

so loved and cheered me up with these blooms.

we love you kona dunn!