Our sweet, gentle Cosmo passed to the other side yesterday, January 18th. He was surrounded by his two dog parents, Kara and Dan (mom and dad), until the very end, who were able to provide him with the comfort and reassurance that it was time and he could now relax and be at peace. He will always be remembered as a gentle and loving giant, and a dog who soothed, mended, and connected hearts.
Cosmo led a full and fulfilling life, living an astounding 12 years (very long for his Great Dane / white boxer breed). He came into mom’s life nearly 12 years ago in August of 2014, while Kara was living in Spokane, Washington as an answer to many prayers. His early years as a puppy in Spokane were spent with lots of walks and playing in the park no matter what the weather was like. He loved playing with other dog friends wherever he went, and loved playing with his cat friends, too. Although he injured his left ACL a few years later, which slowed him down a little, he never lost his goofiness and playfulness through to the end.
Cosmo’s service as mom’s service dog will go down as one of his greatest strengths. He helped her get through some very challenging times, and helped her and everyone around her feel loved. Their bond was and is truly special, and he was the perfect companion for her. It is hard to put into words how much he helped mom grow and become a better person as he patiently and lovingly stood by her side unfailingly through good and bad times, through sickness, disappointment, and joy.
He taught all of the humans surrounding him self-love, patience, and what service and companionship truly mean. He was always willing to show his love by happily sitting himself on your lap, in a typical Great Dane, but uniquely, Cosmo gesture. Although he loved moving clothing items and shoes and messing up the bed when his loved ones were gone from the home, this only showed how much he truly loved his humans, especially his mom and dad.
Dad knew he had found a pretty special packaged deal with mom and Cosmo when he first met Cosmo in December of 2021. The bond was inseparable between dad and Cosmo from that first meeting when Cosmo decided to give dad the lap treatment. Dad and Cosmo’s life became intertwined since that moment. Dad feels honored to have been part of Cosmo’s journey, and feels humbled that Cosmo let him take care of him as his declining health started showing these past few months. Dad will always remember how happy Cosmo was whenever he came home from work, watching his big, jowled Great Dane / boxer face staring out at him from the front screened door and happily wagging his tail when dad came through the front door. Dad will also remember the Saturday trips to the dog park, a nearly weekly ritual that were his and Cosmo’s special and unique daddy / son time.
Although mom and dad are still reeling from his loss, his spirit lives on in the home and in their hearts. He was and always will be with them in the home. He is at peace now and having fun with his cousins and previous dog and cat family members who preceded him on the rainbow bridge – Molly, Lilly, Tana, Dutch, Alex, Tipper, and Henry. Mom and dad can’t wait to be able to see him again in heaven for a beautiful reunion.
Mom and dad want to thank the doctors and staff at Alpine clinic who always did their best to help Cosmo feel comfortable whenever he came in for visits, especially these last few ones which were particularly difficult emotionally for mom and dad. They also want to express their profound gratitude to Lighthouse Veterinarian Services and, in particular, Dr. Nancy Mayer, for her compassion, skill, empathy, and patience in helping Cosmo pass through to the other side from the comfort of his home and in the arms of his mom and dad.