Sweet Sweet Arayo - April 17, 2004 - February 5, 2016

Arayo poses for a holiday card. She always had the most expressive eyes.

How can it be that my sweet Arayo is gone?  A few weeks ago I noticed a growth on the side of her mouth. The vet immediately took her into surgery and removed a tumor and two teeth, but within 6 days the tumor was back and growing quickly. 

Hemangiosarcoma.  The vet said to just love her - it would go quickly. And it did. In 3 weeks the cancer had won.  When she wouldn't take her daily walks to the malecon and eat big meals topped with layers of whipped cream, I knew it was time. A friend called the vet for me and Arayo and I cuddled on the couch for 6 hours before I had to say the final goodbye.  It has been a week and a half and I am still destroyed by the loss.  

I have written a letter to my sweet girl which I will publish in a day or so.  In the meantime - 

Arayo - Capriccio's Life's What U Make It, CD, DD, WD1

April 17, 2004 - February 5, 2016

Arayo poses for her second Living Legend Portrait - age 11

Companion Dog, Draft Dog, Water Dog (twice!). Certified Therapy Dog and Crisis Response Dog.  Living Legend twice.

Supermodel with own line of cards and prints, international world traveler with her own blog, great camper, friend to too many people to count.

Patient, gentle, kind (though a couple cats and a bird might disagree).

My sweet girl, I don't know if the tears will ever really stop.  My life is forever enriched for having shared all the experiences of the last 11 1/2 years with you.  11 years, 20 years, even 50 years would not be time enough. You took an enormous piece of my heart with you in your passing. How I miss you.