July 6, 2025
Tessa
June 29, 2010 - January 27, 2025
“Blessed is the person who has earned
the love of an old dog”
What a dog she was!
The backyard was her playground and the porch was her throne.
She would lay there for hours, peacefully watching the activity of the birds and squirrels in her ‘domain’, with a constant eye on what person might be entering the back gate.
A finicky eater, she insisted on chicken or some other meaty additive to her food! Crusts of toast and pizza were two of her favourite snacks.
She was the runt of the litter, which was why we chose her. Small for her breed as a Gordon Setter, she was regularly adorned with compliments by strangers… “Aww, look at the pretty puppy”!
An early graduate of the Dunmillan Canine Obedience School, it was me who had the toughest time learning how to be a consistent trainer! She loved to run and play from the moment she burst out the back door in pursuit of a tennis ball. But play wasn’t her only claim to fame. From her younger days, she worked alongside me in the counselling office, often greeting clients at the front door and joining them in session with me.
One client said this about her…”My time with Tessa was some of the most comforting and memorable experience I’ve had with an animal. She shared a presence that brought me comfort and peace”.
Later, she joined the St. John’s Ambulance Therapy Dog program, and made regular visits to the Essex Iler Retirement Home, St. Clair College, and the Southwest Regional Detention Centre. She participated in multiple local fund-raising walk, simply looking for any chance to get a W-A-L-K into her day!🌅
She loved to travel. Pancake Bay Provincial Park north of Lake Superior was her favourite summer vacation. In later years, she accompanied me everywhere I went in town and was so well-loved.
Two of her last road trips were a winter walk to the tip of Point Pelee and a Sunday breakfast at a local restaurant!
She once caught a squirrel by the tail in the backyard, and pinned a skunk to the ground, only to learn the painful results of that encounter😫
Special sister to Kenzie Campbell and favourite cousins of Lexi and Benji, there was not an ounce of Alpha in her. Every dog was her new best friend.
Earlier this year, old age and multiple years of medication for seizures began to take their toll.
Then it was time to say goodbye, such a painfully hard thing to ever do💔
She so loved Cynthia, and came to the hospital the night that Cynth died💞
She was such a fabulous support to her through her 18 month illness, and to me in the long days following🌄
This house is terribly quiet without her.
I miss her deeply.
But the stories and memories of her lie deep within.
She leaves a legacy of wonderful experience with all who knew her.
A faithful friend.
Loyal and loving companion.
Gifted therapy dog.
Forever remembered.
May she forever rest in a place of unending walks, boundless sticks and balls to be retrieved, and constant warm greetings at the door. But without any skunks!💞🌄
‘Oh, did we have the time of our lives together’!
