Coco was a very special dog.

Coco brought smiles to the lips of all who were blessed to know her. It was once suggested that her name should have been Joy—because that is exactly what she gave, so freely, to everyone she met. No one more than me.

Coco became the centre of my universe in the fall of 2009, when she came into my life unexpectedly at eleven months old. Over our 16+ years together, we shared adventures big and small.

Coco loved her walkies (unless it was raining), equally happy on city sidewalks or sandy beaches—especially if there was something delightfully stinky to roll in. She also had a flair for water “sports,” launching herself into more than one body of water in pursuit of ducks—too many times to count in Burnaby, and memorably, once into the Rideau Canal in Ottawa.

Her greatest joy, though, was simply being my passenger—‘hanging out’ in her beloved backpack for trips to the mall, bike rides, or hikes into the hills and mountains. After any adventure, or anytime really, she would seek a perfectly placed sunbeam for a well-earned nap.

Coco was more well-travelled than most, having road-tripped coast to coast across Canada three times—including our epic camping journey in the summer of 2014 from Burnaby to Cape Spear, Newfoundland, and back again. She also took to the skies many times, travelling with me to Calgary, Ottawa, Toronto, and St. John’s.

In her younger years, Coco brought comfort and happiness to countless people as a St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog, delighting seniors, children, and students alike.

Over time, even my perpetual “puppy” began to slow. Beginning in the spring of 2020, Coco’s health gradually declined as she faced a seizure disorder, hearing loss, diminishing vision, and canine dementia. Yet even as her good days became fewer, she remained happiest by my side—especially at the office, where she would once again become her exuberant, bossy-pants self, chasing after her favourite people and herding them toward the treat table.

It has been the greatest honour and privilege of my life to be her guardian—her dog-mom—all these years.

Forever in my heart, my dear, sweet, darling wee Coco.
You were so deeply loved, and you are so very missed.
xo

– Tracy G, March 2026 this is for Coco