Tynan resting on the bed on his last day Typist: Bethany
Three years ago today, the Cascadian Nomads founding dog, Tynan, enjoyed his last full day as a beautiful and friendly black dog in Cascadia. Three weeks earlier, we learned that he had bladder cancer. This was Tynan's second cancer diagnosis. After Tynan bravely beat cancer at just six years old, Jason and I decided we would not put him through all of that again if it ever came back. Tynan was an inspiration. Not just in beating cancer but in how he lived his whole life. He loved learning and is the reason I enjoy training. He was always by my side, traveling, walking, working, he enjoyed it and made me feel safe and happy. Everyone loved him; he turned Jason from a cat person into a dog person. He also turned my cat, Emily, into a dog lover. This was a cat who used to attack dogs! He was truly a gentle giant. People passing on the street would call him that. He exuded grace. Tynan also grew old gracefully. Just a little over a month before he left us, he was joyfully running on a mountain top. I strive each day to love life the way he did, and I can only hope to be so lucky as to spend my last month, week and day like he did.
Three years ago today, the Cascadian Nomads founding dog, Tynan, enjoyed his last full day as a beautiful and friendly black dog in Cascadia. Three weeks earlier, we learned that he had bladder cancer. This was Tynan's second cancer diagnosis. After Tynan bravely beat cancer at just six years old, Jason and I decided we would not put him through all of that again if it ever came back. Tynan was an inspiration. Not just in beating cancer but in how he lived his whole life. He loved learning and is the reason I enjoy training. He was always by my side, traveling, walking, working, he enjoyed it and made me feel safe and happy. Everyone loved him; he turned Jason from a cat person into a dog person. He also turned my cat, Emily, into a dog lover. This was a cat who used to attack dogs! He was truly a gentle giant. People passing on the street would call him that. He exuded grace. Tynan also grew old gracefully. Just a little over a month before he left us, he was joyfully running on a mountain top. I strive each day to love life the way he did, and I can only hope to be so lucky as to spend my last month, week and day like he did.
 Tynan at the top of Mt. Hood just before his cancer diagnosis |  The original Cascadian Nomad enjoying his last road trip |
 Tynan and Gryphon saying goodbye |  Tynan and Wilhelm enjoying every last moment together On the morning of May 3rd, our vet, who had seen Tynan through everything since the moment he came home from the shelter, arrived at our home, and Tynan was euthanized in under the blossoming wisteria vine in our back yard. His head was in my |
lap. Jason and Wilhelm were beside me. Gryphon was watching from under a nearby bush. He had blessed us all by spending 9 of his 11 years with us. I think I remembered to thank him for that and to tell him one more time that I'd always love him. I know I told him "don't be scared." I said it because I knew we were both scared of being apart. I still am. But I strive each day to live life with the abandon that Tynan did. All of the Cascadian Nomads do. Tynan would want it that way.
Tynan's Last Day
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