Good Bye Kona

We made the difficult decision to put Kona to sleep this afternoon. Her health has been declining over the past few weeks and after she started to have signs of another "flare up" yesterday and couldn't stand today, it was time. Kona started showing signs of neck pain last August. Based on her symptoms, it was presumed she was suffering from a bulging disc in her neck. For us, surgery was not an option so we treated the pain and swelling over the past few months, trying to keep her as comfortable as possible. Kona just celebrated her 12th birthday on Monday. The kids and I took her to Goodtimes for a Paw Bender. 

Steve and I picked Kona up just after returning from our Honeymoon in July 2004. She came from a farm outside of Brighton and was shy and reserved from the start. She was not huge into playing and wanted nothing to do with fetch. Trinity was just starting to play flyball and as soon as Kona turned one, we started her training. Kona's flyball career did not look promising, so we started her in Agility so she could have something to do as well. Before we knew it, both dogs were playing flyball and agility. Once it "clicked," Kona LOVED playing flyball more than anything else. She was fast and consistent purely for the joy of pleasing me. She met great friends at flyball and came out of her shell. She started to play and let people pet her. Kona also LOVED the snow. She would light up when she went outside and it was snowing. Cutting down a Christmas Tree was her favorite day of the year. When the kids came along, we couldn't of asked for a better family dog. She was tolerant but left them alone. Kona has led us on some amazing adventures. We have met so many people and traveled so many places because of her (and Trinity, of course). 

Kona was smart, calculating, independent, and athletic. I can't get over feeling like her time with us was cut short by her injury. The guilt we feel for not being able to help her more will always be with us but I know she had a great, fun, and active 12 years. Our hearts are breaking. 

RIP Kona

May 23, 2004 - May 27, 2016