Hi, We said goodbye to our sweet girl Almond on Valentine’s Day. Almond was adopted on January 10th, 2010. She was originally Prancer, one of the reindeer pups born in October 2009. A month before I met her at an adoption event, I dreamed about a dog named Almond. She looked nothing like the dog in my dream but the name stuck. I’m so lucky to have spent 15 years with her. As a puppy, she was weird and quirky but loved to snuggle. Afraid of random objects (pillows 😂) but so patient with all humans. She loved rolling in the grass and sand, but hated water. She loved to walk, run, and hike – even hiking Mary’s Rock in SNP with us in 2020 when my husband proposed at the top. She was by my side for so many important life moments, including several moves, our wedding, and visiting me at the hospital the night before heart surgery. She fought a possible brain tumor and lymphoma over the past two years, her prednisone-fueled appetite kept us laughing. My shadow, the definition of loyal companion, she followed me everywhere I went, even on her final day when she was so deeply tired. Thank you, A Forever Home, for allowing us 15 great years with this one-of-a-kind best friend. There is a dog-shaped hole in our hearts but we will always love and remember her.
Mary Gordon and Matt Costakis