The Kavanagh Family
The Dog: FLAME

Flame was the best dog in the world and will continue to live in our hearts. She was a full member of our family, filled with love. She was Mark's dog, but treated everyone else in the family (& friends) with a different and unique love to each individual.

Her eyes were the most intelligent, thoughtful and loving that we have ever seen in a dog. She had the ability to wink and raise individual eyebrows.

She was adopted from the Willamette Valley Humane Society. She had been found stray in the nearby city of Woodburn. She was very thin and sickly looking when we picked her. We figured she must of had puppies before we adopted her. When we first brought her home, if we left her alone in the house, she would gather all of our kids small animals and gather them around her in front of her "sofa". We believed she had been mistreated and was afraid of the sound of crinkling newspapers, after a few years she would walk all over the newspapers as Mark would try to read them.

 She had her own coach in the front window. She did not appreciate it when we would move her couch for the Christmas tree. She loved going on walks and especially riding in our cars and RV over the years. She went cross-country with us in 1996 and to Canada a few times. She was proud of the fact that she pee'ed in 22 states and 2 provinces over her life time.

She lived a rather long life for a golden retriever at about 15 years. During her last 2~3 years she definitely slowed down and became more of a "silver" retriever. She had some arthritis in her back legs. She also had a neurological disorder that would occasionally make her loose balance. But she was able to compensate and remained a happy dog.

Starting in Jan '06 her health really started to go down. She had two seizures in January on the same day, but bounced back. However, on 3/1/06, she suddenly was not able to walk. The vet put her on steroids, which helped and she started walking again, but she was definitely near the end.

On 3/7 after she was being tapered off the steroids, she got worse again. The evening of 3/7 was very difficult. We had made the decision that her time had come.  Overnight she had 3 seizures. First thing on 3/8 we brought her into the vets office to her put to final rest so she would no longer have any pain. That was one of the hardest days of our life.

The house is now very lonely without her. We will be able to move on, but Flame will be definitely missed and will remain in our hearts forever, and I'm sure in the many other hearts she has touched over the years.

Thank you Flame for enriching my life and I am sure we will meet again, Love Daddy!

Misc Photos, and the Rainbow Bridge..

Soon after Adoption	She quickly became Daddy's Dog	She adopted the front couch as hers
Don't ever move her couch from the front window!	Her second couch, in the front window.	Hey! pet me
Vigilant in her backyard	Content	On Guard
Is it Dinner time?	Where are we going?	Yellowstone NP
I'm Hungry!	Richard, you're bugging me.	Look Ocean!
I hate Snow	I really hate snow!	Emily's Wedding (8/05)
Feed me please!	Hey I'm smoking here	Now this is a Stogie!
Is it clear to back up the RV??	Let me drive in the snow!	Dad, get back in the car!
Welcome Home!	Ah Daddy!	I'm Tired...
Christmas!	I hate these stupid Antlers	My bones ache...
The Most Loved Dog in the World FLAME 1991-2006
Flame's favorite links Companion Pet Clinic, Lancaster Drive, Salem, OR Willamette Humane Society PetSmart Great Dog Bakery
A friend of our sent us this message, which I hope is true: The Rainbow Bridge Just this side of Heaven is a place called The Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill or old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling to each other in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together........ Author Unknown