Obituaries

My wife Stephi (at the time, girlfriend) was insistent that we get a dog when we first moved in together. She explained how important it was to her to have that type of companionship. Myself on the other hand was what I'd describe as "mildly resistant" to the idea. We had just moved in together, moved away from our family, and I was starting a new job. It didn't seem logical to throw another item on the pile of things to stress about. My mild resistance was simply outweighed by the importance to my Stephi. We looked at a few dogs through 'A Second Chance Pet Rescue' (Wellington, FL), only to keep having them slip through our fingers for a variety of reasons. We were too young, we were renting, we lived in a townhouse, we lived too far, etc. All that rejection lit kindling in me to keep chasing and pursuing this. Then, Stephi shows me a picture of a scruffy little fluff ball with a cute white paw, going by the name 'Sava.' It wasn't what I would have picked, but whatever, none of this was. If it's important to Stephi, than it's important to me, so I pursued it. First the adoption agency said no, then they said maybe, then they said "If you can get down to Wellington within the next hour, you can adopt her." So I hopped in the car, and drove down to Petco Wellington Adoption Event and first laid eyes on the cutest little spunky dog of the litter. She was taller than her beagle siblings and would jump and hop over them. I picked her up and she was the most beautiful little dog I'd ever seen. Her foster parents walked me through the store on a shopping spree of all the things I'd need before heading home!

Over the initial years, Sava, now Lucie was a loving and high energy dog. She couldn't get enough playtime or dog park time. I had so much bonding time with her through countless bike rides where she would run alongside me for 2-3 miles as if it were nothing. She'd never want to leave the dog park and would run around to no end. She'd bound up and down the stairs like it was nothing. One time when exercising her on the stairs, she had gone up the equivalent of 60 flights of stairs! There were many trail walks that we took her on as well where she would follow her nose to every scent like a true beagle!

The constant exercise and stimulation really helped her grow, but also made me fall in love with her. She was my best friend. I would take her everywhere with me. Parks, stores, errands, road trips, friends' houses, etc. When we were at home, her favorite activity was just looking out the window. As much energy she had in her youth, she had even more to give in compassion and companionship. When my wife got really sick with a stomach bug from Costa Rica, Lucie laid with her in bed for almost a week. Whenever I was sad or feeling down, there was my Lucie just snuggling in. When my Grandma was having health issues, Lucie would just stay by her side. When my kids came into the picture, Lucie was incredibly patient with them and always watched over them. Even during the pandemic, Lucie was about 11 years old and would entertain my 3 year old daughter for weeks while she was out of daycare.

We were always very deliberate to give her a rich and fulfilling life of attention, love, experiences, adventures, and comfort. There's not a thing I would change if I could go back and I'd do it all over again. We were so lucky to have her in our lives and look forward to the day we can be together again.

We love you Lucie <3
Love,
Jason, Stephi, Skyler, Parker, and now Holly!