Orca... Friend and teacher..

[sasvermont]

What a sweet and loving dog. Orca's story brought tears to my eyes this morning. I know you must have shed some tears when he went to Rainbow Bridge. That must have been a difficult time for you and your family, after having such a terrific friend for so many years. It was his time to rest.

Congrats, Orca, for being The Dog of the Day. You will be in many people's hearts forever. Run and play without pain, Orca. You were loved and gave it back double fold, for sure.

Orca, you are truly a star!

[chocolatepuppy]

What a handsome boy you were Orca! It sounds like you were very much loved. You will live on forever in your humans heart.
Congrats on being DOTD! I hope this is a special and meaningful day for your human.

[tatsxxx11]

What a magnificent creature your beloved Orca was, breathtakingly beautiful, and my heart breaks knowing you no longer have your trusted best friend at your side. I too had tears in my eyes reading your very moving, love filled tribute, with more tears falling when I came upon that final photo of you two in your canoe. It captures so beautifully the very special relationship, the bond you shared those many years. And I don't for a moment believe that he was ever just a pet, but always "family."

Orca may no longer be there with you in body, but he lives on forever in your heart, and in those countless, cherished memories you made. And more importantly, he lives on in you, in the person that you are, for so much of what you are now, as man, is thanks to him. He was your mentor, your teacher and confidant, your best friend and soul mate; your guide dog, safely leading you down that oft times rocky road from boyhood to manhood. And one day, perhaps when you have a son or daughter of your own, you will tell her/him of a very special dog named Orca, of the unconditional love and unwavering devotion you shared, passing along to her/him the priceless rewards of animal love.

And though I know that last night with him, witnessing those seizures, was indescribably painful for you. But I hope it will be his miraculous, courageous recovery from liver failure, two wonderful 2 years that followed, and his final gift to you, that last amazing trip you shared, doing all of those things you both loved so very much, the vision of him happy and healthy and strong, that you keep as your abiding memory of him.

God bless you, Orca, Dog of a Lifetime. Watch over your master and send down your love to comfort him, until that happy day when you two are reunited.

[lizbud]

Orca was an incredible gift to you at a time in your life that you really needed a friend
and companion.Life can be a journey & we are lucky to find a kind, kindred spirit to share
it with. Orca surely was that and more to you. He makes a wonderful DOG OF THE DAY.

As the next phase of your life unfolds, I hope you are blessed with another gift to share it with.
Thanks for sharing your story & sharing Orca with us.

[Momo]

What a touching story for such an awesome beautiful dog...Orca is Dog of the Day forever!

[FurkidsMom]

A live well lived. RIP Orca.

[Steve Arnold]

I love the picture of the two of you on the water. This is a beautiful story of a dog's devotion to his companion, but it is far more than that. This is also a very touching story of your devotion to your dog. Orca was a wonderful dog to a significant degree because of the love and care he was given by you. You molded each other through your mutual devotion. True, no other dog will fill the spot he has in your heart, but there will be other companions who will earn their own unique spot in your heart as you live out your life. Orca was an exceptional dog, but it's also very obvious that you are an exceptional young man. I hope that soon as you continue your life's journey, that another companion joins you who will thrive as a part of your life and who will continue the legacy that Orca began.