Olive
Last Night
September 13, 2024 at 8:09 AM by Tyler Tufano
Late last week, after several weeks of careful consideration, Kyle and I made the difficult decision to begin end of life planning for Olive. Her independence has slowly been deteriorated, daily life had become more of a challenge, and maintaining her comfort required greater levels of intervention.\nIt had become clear that Olive had been telling us for some time that she was tired and ready to go, but given her stubborn nature she was always going to wait for us. It was our responsibility to help her into her final peace.
Yesterday, we invited a loving vet, Dr. Sara, into hour home. Olive and Kyle were outside returning from their last walk together when Sara arrived. Olive seemed to recognize that Sara was there to visit her, with her vintage leather medical bag in hand, and greeted her in the parkway outside the house. Sara made her way up the front stairs where I greeted her at the door, and Olive slowly followed behind.
Kyle and I had cleared space around her bed at the front the living room where we knew she would be most comfortable. We let Olive eventually make her way to her bed on her own, and we joined around her on the floor. Suspicious, but tired, Olive stayed comfortable. We let Sara know we were ready.
Olive's breathing slowed and her eyes closed tightly while Kyle and I embraced her from the side of her bed. We led Olive through her final moments, pouring out our love for her as she left us.
A much needed and deserved calm.
- Tyler
Early Birds
September 13, 2024 at 8:23 AM by Kyle Aberle
Early birds, Olive and I
Many sunrises we met,
Rainbow Brite
A moment of welcome routine, sniffs and sticks.
Serenity in the city.
As I walk on, I'll continue greeting the sun
The warm glow through closed eyes
holds the memory of you.
Dr. Sara's Eulogy
September 13, 2024 at 1:24 PM by Dr. Sara on Facebook
In cherished memory of Olive, a beloved Hound mix. Olive's dads brought her home when she was just 9 weeks old, and together they shared more than 13 wonderful years.
Olive was a perfect blend of sweet, smart, and tough. She had velvety soft ears, a puppy attribute that never changed. Olive was most content curling up into snug spaces when it was naptime. Olive's treats of choice were Milk-Bones and rabbit jerky. She loved hanging out at the dog beach, and she never tired of spending hours walking and letting her nose lead the way. Olive was an important and special part of her dads' lives throughout the years they shared together. She was a loyal companion and an adored member of the family who will be greatly missed.
When Olive's age caught up to her and she was no longer living the life her family wanted for her, they made the selfless and loving decision to let her go. Olive closed her last chapter peacefully at home, with her loved ones by her side. Rest in peace, sweet Olive.
~Dr. Sara
Thanks and Memorium
September 13, 2024 at 8:22 PM by Kyle Aberle on Facebook, Instagram
Thank you Sam, Elizabeth, and Dr. Sara for everything you provided our family as we prepared for Olive to rest. Your calm and compassionate energy provided Olive and us with an unimaginable amount of peace. We will be forever grateful.
Olive came into our lives as Rainbow Brite, a 9lb runt and last of her litter at PAWS. We said, "that's our girl". A puppy with cow print nose and a snake charmer tail- she grew into an athletically slender, Bambi-legged queen of routine and smarts. Her sweet brown eyes told you everything she wanted you to know. She was never a talkative pup, but instead an excellent listener- learning new skills quickly, keeping me company as I rehearse a new song, or keeping tabs on anything and everything going on within a mile radius. She was present and aware.
The paths walked together will always be in our minds because they meant so much to her. She had a plan and direction.. a stick to turn into mulch, a friend's house to visit, those milk-bone treats outside the Clark St. storefronts, or to the beach where she'd really put the pedal to the metal- fetching ball after ball after ball after ball after…. Olive's energy was strong to the point we'd joke she'd never grow old.
When the time turned and we started noticing her much more labored movement and withering energy, we knew we wouldn't be so lucky. We worked with our veterinary and tended to her pains, but the scale of enjoying good days of comfort vs applying these bandaids began to tip. We knew we owed her this rest and with many tears helped her to peace. It was with Dr. Sara's gentle presence that we saw the tension release and our sweet girl sigh a breath of relief.
Olive, Ollie, Ollie-baba, baba, bobby, bobbers, sweeters. Our little lady. A part of our heart will be with you always.
