A tribute to Archer

While we are excited to get our new puppy, we are still grieving the loss of our beloved Archer who recently left us. So first and foremost I want to pay tribute to him

Archer was born in July 2010.  Out of the 11 pups, he was the breeder's husband's favorite.  They wanted to keep him but could only keep one puppy, and wanted a dog they could show - white Boxers can't be shown so he became ours.

He came home and our other Boxer, Chakotay, loved him immediately.  To say he was spoiled is an understatement! For the rest of his life Archer firmly believed that everyone - human or animal - was his best friend and acted as such.   He was a devoted cuddler and would climb onto people's laps when he was being petted.  During the evenings he would hop onto the couch and lie as much on me as next to me.  He had the sweetest temperament but was not above being intentionally naughty and was never remorseful about what naughty thing he had done!  He knew he could charm his way out of trouble!

Archer joined us on dozens of adventures.  He was always up for whatever we were doing.  I can't count the thousands of miles we hiked together!  He climbed several mountains, accompanied us on camping trips and swam in multiples lakes and rivers.  He loved beaches and I often joked that he didn't get the memo that Boxers don't like water as he was a tremendous swimmer.  He would happily ride in the kayak as we explored different bodies of water.  As long as he was with us he was as thrilled as can be with whatever we were doing.  For 13 years he was our constant devoted companion.

Archer became my running buddy.  He absolutely loved to run - and was way better than I am at it - and we covered miles in trails and roads together over the years.  We ran in the Ugly Christmas Sweater 10K race which saw us featured in local media.  He and Sisko helped me win my first 5K race.  As he got older he couldn't run as far or as fast.  He would beg to go out with me but he physically just couldn't do it and we stuck to long walks instead.

He was remarkably healthy and vibrant and I think I was convinced he would live forever.

But in February - out of the blue - he collapsed and was having trouble breathing.  He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and was not expected to survive more than a few days.  We took him home with Lasix and prepared to say goodbye.

But Archer defied the odds.  He recovered and the medicine kept him stable.  He was able to go on walks without pain or difficulty and remained the sweet, affectionate boy he had always been.  He joined us on our annual camping trip in July enjoying time by the night campfires and riding in the kayak during the days.

His 13th birthday came which we gratefully celebrated.  But he was beginning to slow down more and more.  We had to prepare special meals to encourage him to eat.  He had to wear a belly band at night and when we were gone for accidents and and when we would go for walks we would place him in a cart that he would ride in as he tired quickly.

We were scheduled for our trip to a cabin in Pennsylvania.  I debated whether we should even take him but could not imagine leaving him at home.  Miraculously he had a great week.  We would take him in the cart or let him walk a little on the easy trails in the morning and then he would sleep in the cabin while we tackled harder trails in the afternoon.  He laid outside in the warm sun and napped while we relaxed and waded into the nearby lake.  He cuddled with us on the couch in the evenings and curled up with Sisko at night.

One of my last pictures of him.

The day we packed up to leave he was happy and alert and even ate some breakfast.  We stopped for a bathroom break on our long trip back and he walked around without difficulty.  But when we made our second stop, we were shocked to find he was gone.

I believe in my heart that he held on for one last amazing vacation adventure and then quietly slipped away.

We will love you forever and always, Archer ❤️❤️❤️  you were the best friend we could have asked for and our lives are better having had you in it for so many wonderful years.