was Shelby (Piper 98-134) [1]

October 4th, Piper left our world for a better one – and to become our angel, just before her 14th birthday. I was so fortunate to have adopted her in 1998 as a puppy, watch her blossom as she grew out of her fear and become confident, funny and full of personality. I could not have asked for a better gift all these years than her companionship. She became dog-sister to Tucker, Daisy and Sunshine – all RAGOM adoptees. She lived a very long and healthy life –for which I am forever grateful.

She participated in studies on healthy Senior Golden Retrievers through the University of MN Veterinary Medical Center and, most recently the U of MN Clinical Investigation Centers for Brain Tumor research. In May, 2011 we learned Piper had a brain tumor. We knew in our hearts we were nearing the end of spending our lives together ~ hard reality for the dog I believed would live ‘forever’. Throughout her illness she was part of a study with immunotherapy and became the U of MN Veterinary’s Canine Ambassador in September when meeting the new U of MN’s President.

She has been featured in local news stories [2] about this medical breakthrough. She was such a trooper that day – not feeling the best but putting on her happy ‘game face’ once the attention and camera's came her way.

I am so proud of my girl and will miss her more than words can express. Her memory is so strong and I will forever remember her as the ‘one who needed me most’ – but, she is really the one I needed the most…..

With happy memories and heavy hearts,

Mary, Dave and Sunshine