'Dakota Love Amador', June 1995- 11/5/11

 After 16 1/2 years of good living, Dakota died in my arms surrounded by Scott, Oscar, and Lucia on 11/5/11.  She has been with me since 2nd year of medical school, a year before Scott and I started dating.  She has been on countless adventures with us!

One of the funniest things about her was the 'competitive drive' that she had at a couple of dog jogs we did.  The first one was a one mile race.  When the race started, she took off like a rocket, hauling me the whole way.  We ended up coming in 2nd place, running a 6:30 minute mile, I'm sure the fastest mile I've ever run.

Notice that it looks like there is only one paw on the ground

Then we did a 2 mile run with a much bigger crowd.  When the race started, she took off like a bat out of hell again.  I'm running fast trying to keep up with her.  Someone cuts in front of me and I trip of their leash and go flying into the air and the leash goes flying out of my hand.  Dakota is still running, clueless that I'm not holding the leash.  I get up and start sprinting to catch up to her.  It's crowded and people all around me are yelling 'STOP THAT DOG!!'  Finally, she realizes I'm not there and she slows down and waits for me.  I will forever laugh out loud thinking about all those people yelling 'STOP THAT DOG!' to a 25 pound dog with very short legs!

Bryce, of course, was her best buddy.  She wasn't so fond of him at first.  But, she was the matriarch and he quickly obliged.  I feel sure they are still spiritually connected. She graciously welcomed 4 pets and 2 babies into our constantly evolving lives. 

At our house in WV, shortly after Bryce joined our family.

A young Cusco cuddling with D

Hiking at Mary's Peak, awaiting Lucia's birth

Hiking at Oak Cree, awaiting Oscar's birth

Dakota and Bryce were at our wedding in West Virginia.  Of course, they were bathed and groomed for the big day.  Sometime at the beginning of the ceremony, Dakota caught some deer scent and we could all hear her yelping in the far distance.  She was gone until the food came afterwards and when she returned, she was caked in mud and dirt, exhausted!

Dakota joined us countless adventures. 

Backpacking somewhere in GA or NC

Backpacking in upstate NY

Climbing at Owen's River Gorge

Those van trips were plush before the babies!

She cross country skied with us for miles and miles!  I'll never forget Kathleen laughing hysterically the first time we put her in a backpack.

Hiking to the summit of Mt Mitchell, highest pt in NC.  Those little legs could go!

When life was too busy for adventures, she spent time with my Mom who gave her a ton of lovin'!

Although it was inevitable, the decision to put her to sleep was hard.  Her mind and personality were ever present.  Despite her failing body, she would still look at me with those perky ears as if she wanted to go for a walk and she would still somehow muster up the energy and strength to get into the kitchen when she new the little humans were dropping their crumbs.  We gave her lots of warm baths together those last few days. 

It was so hard that morning holding her and knowing that she wasn't coming back and letting her sniff Bryce one last time. 

Last kisses

We miss her!  Now I just wish I had given her some more love these last few years, so busy with parenting.  And I wish I could hold her again one last time, enveloping her with complete love and security as she surrendered and drifted away.  Rest in peace, D!