In Loving Memory

Remembering Blossom.

“Blossom was named after the cherry blossoms that were in bloom when I brought her home. On paper she is known as Melon’s Blossom When I Want To. To me she is known as Bloss, Princess Peach, Scungilli, Boops and Mama.

Blossom came into my life by happenstance. I saw this precocious puppy enthusiastically playing with her crate mate and then suddenly being placed to play with me. It was love at first sight.

She was smart and funny, so funny. She always knew if she made me laugh she won. Who am I kidding, Blossom won over every room she was in. Whether it was barking by the stairs to let everyone know it is bed time or prancing on two paws with her arms up because she wanted to be picked up, or rolling on her back and “fixing her hair” while waiting, at times impatiently, for a belly rub, she ran the show and I was happy to follow her lead.

She did so much on her own terms. Agility being one of them. She was amazing at the derivative that she invented and became a fan favorite and an agility celebrity in her own right. It was in the agility world that I humbly and happily became known as the best thing anyone has ever called me, “Blossom’s mom”.

We did so much together. When I first brought her home and had to go to work my heart would physically ache being away from her. Someone told me that feeling would fade. I told them it wouldn’t (and ps it didn’t) because I only could love Blossom with my whole heart. Blossom taught me how to love with my whole heart!

She taught me so much. She taught me patience and trust. She taught me about fearful reactivity and positive reinforcement. She taught me how to enjoy the wind blowing in my hair. She taught me about agility. She taught me adjusting our goals doesn’t mean giving up on our dreams. She taught me how to dream and how to try. She taught me I can do hard things. Hell she taught me about life. And what a life we had together!

Her life was filled with naps in the sunshine (and on her very own chaise lounge), cuddles, friends, bellybrubs of “impending doom”, vacations to North Carolina, Lake George, and dog camp, lazy Sundays, pizza crust, gangsta rap, the best themed birthdays ever, crispy noodles, agility fun, walking the reservoir, watching her favorite shows, strawberries, taking up the whole bed, refusing to move when it was time to make said bed and thoroughly enjoying being “trapped” under fitted sheets, playing with her brothers, Halloween costumes and Christmas cards, lots of photo ops, waking me up just before the alarm by jumping on me and scratching my nose, always knowing when I was upset and how to make me feel better (I hope I did the same for her).

She was so full of life and personality. Such an expressive face. I often would tell people she tells the story of her soul with her eyes. We loved each other unconditionally and unapologetically. She IS my heart.

Blossom I know whatever the next adventure is, wherever you are, you are doing it your way!

Until we meet again, with every step, every breath, every heartbeat, I love you Blossom with my WHOLE heart!” – Joanna M.