>>>the following photos were taken by Enid Jupiter Gaudin [with a wee bit of editing by me]

In our house, December 20 is now known as SUZY DAY - an annual Rob and Wendy holiday in honour of our l'il Suzy who passed away on Dec 20, 2013. Losing her was crushing and straddling the line between living in the past and remembrance has been difficult. But making sure we put aside this one whole day to honour her helps a bit.
One of Suzy's favourite places was the Esquimalt Lagoon. Last year we went we met a woman who was spending her last few hours with her dog who was old and sick. I guess we're not the only ones who find peace with our pets there.
This year at the lagoon we saw a dead sea lion. It looked peaceful, like it was sleeping - and the dogs didn't even notice. Even though it was damp and cold, Rob and I got to take a deep breath and remember Suzy toodling along that beach, clambering along the rocks and walking in the water on the lagoon side.
Suzy passed away at home with the assistance of our vet and after Rob, myself and Mr Coco had our time with her, we wrapped her in her favourite blanket and buried her in a wooded area in our backyard - next to Squirrel. It was around 7 or 8 at night and we didn't know what to do with ourselves - we couldn't just sit back on the couch that still seemed warm from her little body so the three of us bundled up and headed out in the car and drove around and happened upon a special house. It was completely decorated for Christmas and the signs invited us into the backyard and into a little room to walk through and immerse ourselves in some serious decorating. My favourite part both times though, hands down, was the little room that was FULL of miniatures - it's magic.
​ This year we left a little something of Suzy's behind at that house... but we still can't really say goodbye.