FINAL UPDATE: Life with our Katrina puppy has come to an end… sadness inbound.

While doing some government work in southern Arkansas, I drove by a makeshift sign on the side of the road. “AKC Chocolate Lab Puppies”, “Reduced to $75”… Whoa! That’s definitely worth a look.

An El Dorado fellow got stuck with a champion bloodline litter during the Katrina aftermath. I ended up with a loyal sidekick for work travels in my RV, a playmate for our young boys, and a blessing for our family.

We named her Reesie, because her coat was a deep chocolate brown like the candy. In the sunlight, the red tints would shine an orange hue over the brown. It reminded us of the peanut butter cups packaging.

Her early years were spent on the road going from contract site to contract site across the United States. Key West to Seattle. Boston to San Diego. This ol’ girl has seen it all and even made the local TV news after falling through a frozen lake.

Her favorite place to visit in this great land is Yellowstone National Park, and her last 5 years were spent on a country farm with three younger dogs in her pack. Memories upon memories.

Sadly this special time with her has come to an end. Complete blindness, constant hunger, uncontrollable bladder, labored breathing, bad hips finally shut completely down this afternoon, and half a dozen other disturbing symptoms have taken their toll from her 14.5 years of large-dog adventure.

Her incredible journey has certainly been a large part of our lives and for a very long time. Was tough sending a text to the grown kids to come visit quickly if possible, her end will be tomorrow afternoon if she makes it through the night. Tears aplenty today. We will miss her dearly.

Thought I’d share… with fellow dog lovers that have the same connected bond with man’s best friend and have similar memories with theirs.

UPDATED with actual photo:

FINAL UPDATE: Sadly, our beloved Reesie departed this afternoon. She's now playing in heavenly lakes and fields loaded with ducks, quail, and pheasants within range of her every sniff. Our home and her pack will cherish every moment we had with her. Thanks to everyone who put Reesie in their hearts during this thread... your words of encouragement, heartfelt stories, and somber sentiments helped us BIG TIME over the last 24 hours. Thank you TD family... best corner of the internet.

July 5, 2005 - March 1, 2020


Reesie geared up for her 2nd CFB National Championship