Our hike-lovin', ski-crazy, car-chasin' poodle moved on to doggie heaven yesterday. One moment she was running and dancing with us on the beach, the next moment she was gone over the dunes, and the moment after that she was gone, hit by a car on Lake Ave.
As weird as she was, Chloe was a huge part of our lives. It's sad to realize that our book Hiking the North Shore got to the printers on the same day she died: she is the star of the book, in at least a dozen photos as my only hiking companion.
She loved to run through the woods, sniffing up the world, pooping wherever she wanted, filling her coat with burs. She ran circles around me for miles on the Superior Hiking Trail and to the summit of Eagle Mountain. Here at home, she got us down to the beach every morning, whether it was 20 below or 10-foot swells after a November gale.
Chloe will be missed by her "grandpa boyfriends": Ranger (Ely), Ben and Brisby (Duluth) and Hammo (Little Marais).
Chloe was featured in 36 blog posts here. Check 'em out, if you can stand it. I couldn't stand it—we've been blubbering fools here for the last 24 hours. She drove me crazy, but she was totally family.
If there's a swamp hole in heaven, look for Chloe leg deep in it. If there's a UPS truck in heaven, watch out, Chloe is headed that way.
Good girl, Chloe.
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13 comments:
Oh goodness, I am so sorry. What a terrible loss. My condolences.
Sorry for your loss, they really are a family member.
I enjoy following your blog, thanks for all of your great tips!
I just had to leave a comment today when I read about Chloe. It can be very traumatic to lose a pet, especially when it happens so quickly. Chloe clearly loved the outdoors & was a special companion.
I am so sorry for your loss...
Ah Andrew, what a shock to read- we're so sorry for you all.
Oh Andrew, I am so, so sorry to read this. Heartbreaking. Chloe clearly had a wonderful life with you, and it was obvious she was loved. My condolences to you and your family.
Aww, so very sorry to hear this. Chloe looked so full of life -- her absence must be hard to bear. My sympathies.
Andrew, that is just awful. The same thing happened to my daughter's first dog Penny, here on London Road. It's a terrible thing and makes me wonder at the unholy bargain represented by cars. My unfettered sympathy! She was a great dogly dog.
I'm so sorry for your whole family, Andrew. There's nothing like a dog to show us what's important in life.
I'm so sorry for your loss. A Standard Poodle named Santo, who looks an awful lot like Chloe, owns me - and drives me CRAZY too. He is very, very naughty. And of course, I love him dearly. I know he had at least one litter-mate that ended up in Duluth...he was born in October '07, in Moorhead, MN...
I enjoyed reading your blog. So sad that she is gone, but Chloe obviously had a fabulous life while she was here, and lived large and in charge!
Oh my! So sorry for the loss. We all can relate so well to this as we that have had pets consider them members of the family. It truly is heartbreaking to read.
We have all followed the adventures of your family member on your hikes.
Dogs are never the same - they learn from you as you learn from them and while they seem to act irrationally they are generally trying to make you and yours happy. Sad loss - you can find another wonderful dog but not another Chloe. Dad
I came to you site today to just scroll through and catch up on all the awesome trails you feature here. I am shocked to here about Chloe. I am so sorry! Everytime I was went hiking on the North Shore, I would tell my husband about Chloe and we would talk about how wonderful it would be see her up on the trail. I hope that the pain and grief is subsiding. I doubt it will ever leave. Take care!
Thanks, everyone, for your heartfelt condolences. I still choke up about once a day, but it's the happy memories that come through strongest of all now.
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