Saying goodbye to Oliver ...

Oliver was an old soul - he was also fourteen.  You know those dogs that when you look into their eyes and they look into yours, you just know.  They have this wisdom of all these things they want to tell you ... and you get to be there with these old souls and walk with them for a while ... until it is time for them to continue their journey ... knowing they've changed you in ways you can't quite express, but know, without a doubt that you're changed.

Oliver was one such character. I think I fell in love with him the first time I met him and his brother Stanley (Stanley is young and boisterous and full of puppy kisses ... I adore Stanley ... it's hard not to laugh at his bounciness).  I think Oliver kind of tolerated Stanley in the way a big brother does with just such a puppy. 

I get to walk Oliver and Stanley intermittently based on their parent's schedule.  I had the gift of seeing them both last week, starting Monday - they were both so happy to see me and I them. It was like a love reunion as I fed Oliver his treats while he lay on the couch (Stanley was right in there too).  

On Saturday, Oliver's dad let me know that Oliver had died. Oliver was such a great dog ... I am going to miss him so much ... and am grateful I got to spend his last week with him ... feeding him treats, on the couch, as I always do.

I think this is the hardest part of being a dog walker ... saying goodbye.