Ryan & I have many special moments that we shared with Dad but we would like to tell you about a few very cherished memories that we have.  In doing that we also need to include Mom as the two of them were rarely separated from one another.  One of the things that we admired most about their marriage was their support of each other. 

So let's begin with a very special day. When Ryan & I decided to get married we wanted to be married on a ship.  So Ryan booked a cruise to the Panama Canal.  We knew that this would make it difficult for any family or friends to join us and that we would probably be alone. But we really wanted Mom and Dad to join us so we asked if they would consider coming along and being our best man & maid of honour.  They said "yes".  What everyone doesn't know is that they already had a cruise planned and booked for a month before our wedding date.  They did not hesitate to cancel their plans and join us on our ship for our wedding.  It was the best gift they could have given us, to share our wedding with them.

Our next special memory was when Ryan & I decided to go to California to take our schooling to become certified Service Dog Instructors.  Dad drove their motorhome down to California so that we would have a place to stay while we did our schooling.  It was a long and hard course and we had no friends or family to share things with down there.  Not that we had any spare time.  But to our surprise Dad and Mom showed up for our graduation day!  They brought us jackets that they had embroidered with West Coast Assistance Teams on them.  Dad told us how proud he was of us.  We were so happy to see them and once again share with them a very important honour in our lives.

Since then Dad has helped with West Coast in so many ways.  He not only is one of our founders but also sat on the board as vice-president.  He helped with fundraisers and doing the final testing of teams.  He always loved meeting and greeting people and telling them what the dogs could do and how they helped change people's lives.  He was always wearing his vest proudly and he was the best ambassadors we could have ever had.  He loved meeting all the dogs and they loved him too.  Always getting into his lap and giving him kisses.  Even in hospital our lab pup Ellie came to visit and she brought a smile to Dad's face.  All our teams will miss him greatly.

We are so glad that we were able to take time and spend as much of it with dad as we could the last few months.  Even in hospital we saw that sense of humour.  

You are not gone dad as we carry you with us in our hearts and memories.  Till we meet again.

Love Ryan & Sharon