The (Last) Voyage of the Dawn Trekker

A couple of weeks ago, we were able to take Trekker on one last canoe trip. The weather was beautiful, Trek still had lots of energy, he ate some yummy steak for dinner, and he even swam some pretty great lengths of river on Day 2 (a surprising feat for the sick pup). Here are some pictures below.

The launch--Trek wanted to ride in front!



Nap time with Casey



It's mine!

STEAK?!??!?

 Below is a compilation of some various emails I have sent and personal blogging I have done RE: Trekker.

Just wanted to give the update. Casey and I took Trek in to the vet [Thursday] night to put him to sleep.

Everything went really well, all things considered. We had lots of privacy at the vet because it was 1 am when we finally got there; the vet on call was Dr. Fee, the same vet who saw him when we originally took him in back in May. She is really compassionate and warm, and it was nice to work with someone who has known Trekker; we were able to take Trek on one last walk; and Trek got to eat an ENTIRE raw pork steak for his "last meal."

We buried Trek in Casey's mom's back yard (at 2 in the morning); it was a good way to have some closure. Casey is working on a grave marker already, so we will be able to visit and say hi once in a while.
 
As expected, it has been pretty rough. He was a great pal and a significant part of our daily lives.
 
One of my favorite parts of Friday was when Casey and I went through all of my computer photo albums and pulled pictures of Trekker. I thought it would be extremely painful to look back on all of those memories and see the happy, energetic, sometimes ornery pup that we knew and loved for four years, but instead it felt uplifting. We remembered Trek's good times, instead of being filled with the sad memories of his last hours with us. It felt uncannily similar to looking at pictures of Trekker when he was alive, and we reminisced about past canoe trips, visits to the cemetery, and various Trekker antics.

Our beloved pup, you will be missed. You are missed.

It has been good to lean on one another in this time, and we appreciate your prayers over the last few months and in the coming days/weeks. Thank you for your friendship.