Chip

2008 - 2022

On October 11, 2008 an adorable little black Schnoodle came into this world. When we went to see the litter to choose “the one” for our family, they were all so cute and all came running to us…except for one. One little one kept sneaking away from us and hiding. We noticed him, intrigued, so our son laid on the ground, pulling him out from underneath a sofa that he was hiding under. We all held him, but the minute we put him down, he immediately hid again. There was something about him…we all just knew in our hearts we wanted him (even though he didn’t seem to want us at the time lol). We all took turns holding him again, and when we put him down, he got all wobbly and threw up. I’m sure the breeder assumed we would have said “nope…forget it…we don’t want that one.” Instead, we said, “yup…he’s definitely the one we want.” To us…there was just something about him that drew us to him…he was perfect. That day we welcomed sweet little Chip into our hearts and our family, and on Dec. 22, 2008, we brought him home. Our lives were changed forever.

That day was the beginning of one of the greatest loves and soul connections in all of our lives.

Just one year later, Chip climbed on the back of our sofa when we weren't home, and ate pot-pourri from a bowl on our sofa table. We rushed him to the animal hospital, where they told us he will die without extensive medical intervention. We'll never forget our son and daughter (who were 9 and 11 at the time) bringing us their piggy banks saying "please...take all our money (which was a few dollars lol)...please don't let him die." We realized then how deeply our kids and us loved this little animal, and how desperate we were not to lose him, so we had the Vet do everything she could to save him...and she did, thank God.

For 13 ½ years we watched Chip grow from an adorable, timid, anxious little puppy, to a sweet soul and affectionate best friend to all of us, who was by our sides through the ups and downs of our lives, and then to a senior, who was slowed only by his body, but never by his heart or mind. These 13 ½ years with Chip have been the most amazing and unforgettable years...and they have flown by…way too fast.

Our kids were 9 and 11 when we chose Chip, and now they are 22 and 24. He was their best friend for over half of their lives. Almost everything they remember about growing up until now includes him. He has been by their sides through everything...all their milestones of grade school, high school, university, our daughter starting Medical school and our son starting his MBA program…through all their special occasions…through all their happy times and their heartbreaking times…and all the days in between.

As anyone who has loved a pet understands…Chip was not our dog…he was a huge part of our family. We always felt like he was more like a human than an animal. The past 13 ½ years that we’ve spent together…he brought us so much joy and so much laughter (he really was the funniest dog with the sweetest personality)…he celebrated all the special moments, holidays, and milestones with us…he even spent an amazing vacation in Muskoka with us...he was the quiet calm during our storms…he licked our tears when we cried...he was by our sides always.

Our bond with Chip has been a bond like we’ve never experienced before.

The last month of Chip’s life was so incredibly hard when his health started failing. We, and Chip’s Vet, did everything in our power to keep him well, and here with us longer, but his health issues were bigger than him and bigger than us, and his body obviously had enough. In the end, his heart wanted to stay with us, but his body just couldn’t go on.

On April 11, 2022 our sweet little black Schnoodle had to leave our family and this world.

Chip was a sweet soul. He was special. He loved us fully and unconditionally….just as we loved him. He was affectionate and devoted. He was calmest when he was by our side or in our arms. He was always seeking our affection and touch. We would always laugh at how needy he was, because we literally could not do anything without him right there with us. We will never forget the way he would look into our eyes when we held him…like he adored us just as much as we adored him. He was our little shadow for 13 ½ years, and it's going to be so hard to not have him following us everywhere anymore. He was happy, calm, and relaxed when we were home with him and anxious when we weren’t. He didn’t feel right or complete without us, and now we don’t feel right or complete without him.

Chip, our sweet boy, you’ve only been gone two days, yet the loss and emptiness we feel in our house is palpable. Our home feels so quiet, so empty, and so boring without you with us You were our best friend, most comforting companion, and a huge part of all of our lives. You were the perfect addition to our family, and will always be a part of our happiest memories. It's going to be so hard to learn to live without you....for all of us.

Like the saying goes…the grief of loss is the price we pay for the gift of love.
Every day we had with Chip was a gift. He stole our hearts since the day we chose him, and our family will never be the same without him. When he left, a piece of our hearts went with him.

Rest in peace our sweet little Chip. We love you with all our hearts…we always will, and we will miss you forever. We will never, ever forget you and the happiness, joy and laughter you brought to our lives and family. Thank you for loving us and giving us the best 13 ½ years of our lives. Until we see you again...

❤️❤️❤️
Chip
October 11, 2008 ~ April 11, 2022