Labs We've Loved and Lost

Willie

Willie

Willie

 Willie was an elderly yellow male lab that L.E.A.R.N. got from a vet clinic after his owner took him there to be euthanized. Although he was a senior dog, he was a major character and impressed us all with his gusto for life, and in particular swimming after his water toys and tennis balls. He would swim until exhausted. He would bark until exhausted too, one of his less endearing qualities, but we figured he was deaf and simply couldn't hear himself talk, so he just kept talking.

Willie was adopted by a good friend of one of the L.E.A.R.N. volunteers, who let him live his life out on her horse farm, with frequent trips to a nearby dog park with a dog beach for swimming. It was a wonderful place for Willie to spend the rest of his life.

We recently found out that Willie has gone to the Rainbow Bridge. His hind end had started giving out, and he was becoming increasingly agitated and would not settle down. The vet said it was a sign that Willie's life was coming to an end and his owner decided to let him go peacefully. She had him cremated and will scatter his ashes over his favorite spots, including the dog beach.

Those who had the privilege to meet this special dog will never forget him. He enriched us all.

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