Champ, born October 2016, died February 23, 2023.
Champ came into my life when I was 18 and a senior in high school. From the second I got him he was a momma’s boy and followed me everywhere, especially to the car! He always loved going for a car ride and of course sticking his head out the window. When I got Champ and went to the store for supplies I happened to pick a random toy off the shelf, a cheeseburger squeaky toy. Little did I know I was gonna have to buy them in bulk because they’d become your favorite and you’d get upset when you chewed it up. Despite his size he was a lap dog and insisted on sleeping on the bed. Everyone he came in contact with he greeted with tail wags and tried to give them kisses. He loved going to the dog park and making new friends, he’d take the best naps afterwards too. Champ was by my side at my graduation party, when I got married, and greeted our daughter at the door when we came home from the hospital. From that moment on Avree, our daughter, became his favorite human. He’d always offer her the gentlest kisses and never let her out of his sight. We are super sad he won’t be here to welcome our son when he’s born this summer. Champ was a malamute mix and living in Montana suited him perfectly. When it snowed he couldn’t wait to go outside and roll in it, and eat most of it too. He loved catching snowballs and chewing on ice. I could never get him to come inside even if I was freezing. Avree running around outside with him didn’t help. He didn’t mind the summers, because that meant lake days. Seeing a fluffy dog like him with wet fur was a comical sight. Seeing the lake made him almost as excited as seeing snow. Despite being a malamute mix he never barked or howled, he was very mellow and calm for his breeds. It’s very difficult to believe he’s gone, 6 years wasn’t long enough to have with him.
My goodbye to you: It was so hard to see you getting sick. You couldn’t even follow me around the house anymore. Your tail used to wag 24/7 and seeing it be still hit hard. I didn’t wanna believe it was your time but your eyes assured me it was okay. Dakota lost his walking buddy, although you liked to turn it into a run. I hate not seeing you on his side of the bed by his feet. You were a handful but Dakota accepted you right along with me, he knew we were a package deal. Dakota even loved lake days to be able to take you for a swim. Avree gave you your cheeseburger toy for the last time on your last day. Which we had cremated with you to make sure you had it with you on the other side. I thought taking you to the vet would be the hardest part, having to leave you there was the hardest part. I held your paw and rubbed your head the whole time until you were gone. I stayed with you until you went cold, and even then I didn’t wanna leave. When Avree got home that evening she immediately looked in your spot for you. Avree still keeps looking around the house for you and calling for you, it’s hard explaining to her where you’re at since she’s only 2. I’m glad I have lots of pictures of the two of you. I hate walking around the house and not hearing you behind me. I’ve heard those footsteps behind me for 6 years. During your life you never complained about anything, even when my life was chaotic and not going the way I planned. I’m glad I had you at the end of each day. You came up to me the day I got you and we were inseparable since, except of course when you and Avree were getting into trouble. The three of us miss you so very much, I can’t wait to tell our son all about you when he makes his appearance. Im very grateful to have been your human and that you picked me for the job. I’m so glad you put a rainbow in the sky the day you left to assure me you were fine too. Until next time, my Champ you’ll always be!
Love, your human Kailen