For the love of Piper...

Piper is gone. Those three words are very difficult for me to write or say. He was helped to the Bridge by my wonderful vet on Sunday, July 27, 2014. My concession is that he is no longer in pain and that he went peacefully and gently while held in my arms. Cancer... oh how I hate that word and disease, took him from us much too soon.

He had a nasal tumor that took his life quickly. He was a "fire" in the Chinese elements. In true fire fashion, there was no lingering illness. Fires spark forth, burn brightly and are extinguished quickly. Piper burned brightly. He was my rock star and enjoyed every minute of every day of his too short life.

My heart has been ripped from my chest. This dog took me places that I never dreamed possible. It is because of him that I do agility and enjoy it. He didn't just like the game, he LOVED it. Agility was his passion... run fast, take chances, rock on! It will never, ever be the same for me again.

Piper and I earned over 100 performance titles in agility, rally, obedience, canine freestyle and herding. We were partners and teammates. He gave me 100% every single time we stepped in a ring or on a field. His zest for life was irrepressible. His smile, body and tail wag and his singing "woo woo" were his trade marks. Life was GOOD every single day of his life. What he will be remembered for are these things and how he touched everyone's lives that he met.

As a therapy dog, Piper was THE best. He loved everyone and greeted them with his trademark singing and kisses. Like Kastle, people who didn't even like dogs were drawn to him. He especially loved the ladies, both old and young and strollers with babies were also favorites. The therapy work done at Franklin Regional High School earned him recognition, bringing the importance of therapy dogs to the forefront. He loved to dance to big band music at local nursing homes and at Christmastime, we danced to carols as the residents sang along. A dog that had so much drive and focus on an agility course COULD be quiet and calm enough to do therapy work. He loved to be the center of attention, to make people smile and laugh and to get petted and give kisses.

I was blessed to be able to share him with others. He wouldn't have had it any other way. This sentient being was meant to be shared. His love for life, his golden heart and his infectious grin were not meant for us to keep to ourselves. He was a show off and loved applause. Piper was such a character. We are all so much better for having known him.

Piper earned 5 agility championships in his career. He was my first real agility dog. I had no idea what I was doing, but I knew that he loved this crazy sport. We learned, had fun, failed and succeeded together as a team. He was fast, wild and reckless. I had no idea how to handle him. I am blessed that he loved me enough to not advertise on Craig's list for a new handler.

I miss him more than words can say. I miss his cuddling with me every day of his life. I miss his kisses. I miss his "woo woo" when I come home from work. I miss him sitting in his chair at agility trials. I miss him hoarding toys and chewies under the end table. I miss running him in agility. I miss dancing with him. I miss doing therapy work with him. I miss him following me around the house. I miss playing ball with him. I just miss HIM and always will.

Each day brings a little more comfort and less pain. I'm trying to remember and focus on the millions of wonderful memories he gave to me. I also remember his last Saturday, when he gave me that elusive "one more day" that many never get to experience. He loved going to Sweet Frog for frozen yogurt and this time he got whipped cream and sprinkles too. We got to visit his Daddy at work and play with his lambie with all of Daddy's co-workers and steal a ball of yarn from the supervisor and carry it around the room like a prize. Then he came home and played with my cousin's 2 children, who had known Piper all of their lives. Even with all the fantastic journeys we've had over the years, THIS was his best day EVER...

I know he wouldn't want us to cry and be sad. He would want us to celebrate his life and remember all the fun times. I'm trying to do that, but it would be easier if he were still here with us. RIP sweet man... I will always love you.

Our grateful thank yous go to the loving care of Piper provided by Dr. Alexandra Konegger, Dr. Craig Hill and Dr. Daniel Halden and staff from KVet Animal Care, Dr. Fiona Tam and Dr. Amanda Crabtree and staff from Avets - Allegheny Veterinary Emergency Trauma & Specialty, Nancy Craig - Pawsitive Energy and Kim Bennett - Stablemate Massage LLC.

We also want to thank Piper's breeder, Cheryl Jagger Williams for allowing us the opportunity to have Piper in our lives. He was a gift from heaven and our lives are the richer for having him in it.

We also want to thank everyone that donated and bid at the auction and contributed to Piper's medical bills with their donations. It truly showed us just how loved he really was by everyone. We are so grateful for everyone's generosity.

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went..." Will Rogers