Yesterday was a tough day for our family. We lost our black lab Dakota. We have two labs – a blonde and black, Bailey and Dakota. They were the best of friends. We first had Bailey, our blonde lab back in 2000 and he was about 2 years old – we rescued both of them. We got Dakota about a year or so later.
Dakota was a true retriever. When we lived in Southern California and took him to the beach, we would throw a ball past the shore break and he would just sprint out into ocean, dive under the shore breakers and grab the ball. This guy would bring it right back, drop it at your feet and look up at you ready for more! He had no fear and was built like a rock. We took him down to a creek once that had a deep pool at one point in the creek. There was an overhang looking over the pool that was about 6 feet high over the pool. We thought “he won’t jump from there will he?”. We knew the pool was safe because it was so deep. Once the ball came out and he knew what we were doing, he just walked right up to the overhang ready to go. The ball went in and he was flying through the air! What a dog!
The other story I really remember about Dakota that showed his toughness is Aidan threw a ball in the backyard and Dakota turned around and started running – he ran right into an aluminum column that supports our patio cover. It bent the entire column but didn’t phase Dakota. He got the ball and came back to drop it at Aidan’s feet. And then there was the laser light! He would chase my presentation laser incessantly. Bailey could care less! Not Dakota – he would go for hours if I let him. Run it up the wall, on to the ceiling and he would just stare it down.
We are sure going to miss him. I’m going to spare all of the details because I want this post to be happy. He was a great a dog with a wonderful personality. He wasn’t the type of dog that was a “curl up beside you” affectionate dog but he probably could have been a drug dog and was definitely a retriever. Our son Aidan loved taking him in the backyard so he could “watch him skateboard” and Dakota and Bailey also loved to play together.
Dakota, you were one great dog and we know you are in a much better place with God now – your quality of life here would not have been good and you can now run forever, jump over fences, into pools and do so many things that we can’t even begin to conceive. I wonder what you’re doing now but I can’t help but think that you’re carrying something in your mouth (maybe a worn out tennis ball) and running as fast as you can.
We will always remember the good times that we had with you, the great brother you were to Aidan, Bailey and Keegan and the laughter you brought into our home for so many years. I think your buddy Bailey also would say the same types of things if he could talk. He spent a lot of his time with you, and one day you’ll both see each other again and can curl up on the floor and you can beat him to a ball on the grass – which won’t be very hard!
We’ll never forget you buddy….
Love, Mark, Rachael, Aidan, Keegan, Telli the Cat and Bailey xoxoxo
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