08/20/2024
On Monday August 12th, Justin and I had to help our beloved 11 year old pup and company mascot, Redbones, pass over the Rainbow bridge.
Our family was fortunate to have Red for the three additional years that we did after his cancer diagnosis in early 2021. Justin rushed Red to the hospital in a blizzard that year after an unexpected collapse. Since that time, he gained a sizable tumor in his belly, but being the stubborn boy he was, lasted another 3 full, mostly playful, happy years. But was noticeably slowing down more and more, and experiencing much more pain.
We never knew Redโs actual birthday, so we assigned him one on Thanksgiving (even though the day shifts every year) because thatโs around when I first adopted him from Buddy Dog in Sudbury back in 2013. And being a snack loving dog on a food-centric holiday didnโt hurt either ๐ Justin and I will never forget the time he carefully stole exactly 1 cookie off a plate with 3 cookies on it, clearly hoping no one would notice.
Red was the whole reason Justin and I started Redโs Rovers. A headstrong hound rescue from Kentucky, he hated the dog park and the leash alike, but absolutely loved the woods. Red was selective about his friends, but he did make some along the way. And some of them became our very first customers. When we first started, before we even had employees, Red and I were out there sometimes 7 days a week. My favorite part of the day was asking him โwant to go to work?โ He would zoom around in excitement, Iโd tie a bandana around his neck, and weโd hop in the car and go pick up his buddies. Occasionally, weโd even make a stop at Dunkinโs to get him a donut.
The hole Redโs absence has already left in our lives is a deep one. Itโs a hard thing to comprehend myself as an adult, and an even harder to explain to our 3 year old Matilda. Red got Justin and I through some very hard times, and some big growth years. And seeing us bring our two beautiful girls home for the first time. And being the best big brother to both of them.
We are so thankful for the joy Red brought to our lives, as well as the lives of so many others, people and dogs alike. Many, he never even met. I hope wherever he is now, he knows the impact he made. Him and his stubbornness. Justin and I are honored to continue hiking our pack members in his memory. The woods was his ultimate happy place, and I know it is for so many others in our pack. We know he will continue to be out there with us in spirit, always.
We love you buddy,
Thank you all,
Maddie and Justin