Elie’s graduation day…

In January of 1998, as a very young puppy Elie Banchero had something like a stroke and was immobilized.  The veterinarian told Elie’s mom “Take your dog home.  She probably has three or four weeks to live.”  What that vet underestimated was Elie’s fighting spirit and absolute love for life.  She recovered from that episode with some slight disabilities.  She loved turning left… at least that was what her brain told her.  (We called her ‘NASCAR Elie’)

Elie Banchero entered Dog Tired Doggie Daycare on November 18, 2005.  One of our first clients, this now eight year old husky lab mix was full of life and energy.  She loved every dog she encountered and was always the first one to make her way out of the classroom, down the hall to the play yard, all the while hugging that right-side wall and making those left turns.

The child of two university professors Elie had special needs which meant she needed extra time in school to accomplish her post secondary education.  Year after year Elie has been one of our most regular clients. She came in leaping (a little to the left) through the lobby and left exactly the same way.

This past year Elie’s back legs began to weaken.  Her entrance at daycare a bit slower, she came to school, greeting her pals old and new while continuing to work on her degree.  Within the past few months she has needed assistance to walk, but fortunately they make harnesses for that, and she was very willing to receive the help from her mom or daycare teacher to and from school, in and out of the play yard or just across the classroom.  In time, even with assistance, her legs weakened and ultimately she had little use of her back end.

Miss Peg said it best earlier this week – “Knowing the end was imminent, I took a little time with her yesterday, snuggled on her bed and we had a good, honest talk. I told her how much I have loved her and enjoyed her, and how we and all of her friends will miss her so much, and for always. Always, because we will never ever forget her, and so in that way she isn’t really lost to us.”

Each member of our canine family is so unique and we share different events and emotions as our relationships grow.  For that reason none of their departures are quite the same.  We were able to prepare ourselves for Elie’s departure and in that time found what was the perfect tribute to her time with us.  Elie came to school yesterday to spend the morning with us, and as she left Dog Tired for the last time we presented her with her diploma.  She earned it.  But what has touched me the most these past seven years with Elie is not what we taught her but what she taught us.  Life is a precious gift, enjoy every day that you have here and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

It has been such a privilege to care for her, to see the extraordinary relationship she had with her mother, and to be allowed to be part of Elie’s trusted circle. Our hearts are filled with gratitude to have known such a joyful spirit and witness her indomitable love for life.

Please keep Elie and her family in your thoughts are prayers as they go through this difficult time.

We will miss you sweet girl! [youtube=http://youtu.be/_iLzh8KVaG8]