“While I was at work, a post from the local animal shelter popped up on my Facebook feed and it just had a picture of him. I didn’t know anything else about him, but I saw the picture and was like, ‘that’s the one.’"

"I walked over to my manager's office and said, ‘I have to go adopt a dog.’"

Just days before this pivotal moment, Spencer Lamb, Cotl’s COO, came to the realization that it was time to have a dog again.

But to make a decision on a whim like that? He had never experienced such a strong gut feeling like that before.

He just knew that Boone was the one.

Life doesn’t feel right without them

“Pets have always been a major part of my life. And when I didn’t have them, I felt so alone and empty.”

Like many pet parents, Spencer’s love of animals was established in childhood. Growing up with dogs, a rabbit, and even his brother’s hermit crabs, having pets around was just a part of life.

These were family pets though. None of them were truly his… even the dog he got in high school ended up favoring his mom!

So, when it was time for Spencer to head to college, the sweet puggle stayed home–leading to the only part of his life when there wasn’t a pet around.

After completing his undergrad degree, he was starting to establish himself in this new chapter of life, and it just didn’t feel right to do that without a dog.

Often overlooked but eager to love

“Older dogs have a lot of love to give, but they’re not really the first choice for a lot of people.”

So many older dogs get overlooked in the shelter, and Spencer already knew he didn’t want a puppy. The whole idea of having to get up multiple times a night while housetraining just didn’t seem very appealing.

When he first saw Boone online, there wasn’t much info about him. Turns out, he was 8 years young. Perfect.

From the very beginning, Boone clearly knew Spencer was his human. Even during their first moments together–crammed in the shelter kennel for a meet and greet–he expressed so much joy. And while he didn’t have the energy of a puppy, Boone was filled with life.

Those first, special moments

“Honestly, the very first time that I met him is what stands out. It was such a defining moment because it changed both of our lives forever.

I was sitting in the kennel with him and he was climbing all over me, giving me kisses… he immediately rolled over and wanted belly rubs.

And it all just reinforced the feeling I had when I first saw that Facebook post. We just immediately clicked.”

As they settled into the new routine, Spencer realized that they really did have the same vibe.

They enjoyed the same things, like taking walks in new places and snuggling up for movie nights. Being in each other’s presence felt like it was meant to be.

A crazy pet parent in the making

Boone’s age never stopped him and Spencer from going on adventures together.

They made it a habit to look for places to explore, whether it was a new local trail or an overnight trip to a new beach. Boone always had somewhere new to sniff around.

Even still, Spencer never considered himself a crazy pet parent.

…until he booked a vacation in another state.

And no, this wasn’t a trip Spencer planned for himself and just happened to bring Boone along. This was an intentional vacation for the two of them.

“I think that was when I was like, wow, I'm really doing the most for this dog. I mean, I'm driving him 14 hours to this beach in Florida and I have a whole setup in my backseat with blankets, a dog bed...”

A small, quiet beach resort that he had visited with his family as a child was the perfect place to spend a week of quality time with Boone.

Days playing on the beach, nights cuddled up watching movies. Does it get better than that?

A bond built on love and trust

When we spend so much time creating a special connection with our pets, it’s easy to notice the little ways in which our pets show us they love and trust us.

And believe us, Boone was no different.

When Spencer would come home, Boone would run up to the door and greet him with a toy in his mouth. His tail would be wagging so hard, his whole back end would move.

Then he would just walk around the apartment with this toy in his mouth, tail still wagging, and then he would eventually settle down.

Once Spencer was settled in as well, Boone would generously offer his belly for lots and lots of rubs.

“One of the ways that I knew he really trusted me–which, to me, trust is a component of love–is he would just be sitting there next to me. Then all of a sudden, he’d paw at me and roll over onto his back like… it's time!”

Along with an endless supply of belly rubs, Spencer was always intentional with how he showed Boone love as well.

Since exploring and smelling new things was something Boone really enjoyed, Spencer would let him choose where they would walk. When the sidewalk split, Boone led the way.

And when it was time to head to the office a couple days a week, Spencer found a dog walker that would give Boone the same freedom he had come to love.

She loved Boone’s free spirit so much, she would be there until the very end.

Saying goodbye 💙

The most difficult part of pet parenthood is arguably when we notice our sweet pets getting older.

As they start to slow down, lose energy, and get those cute little white hairs on their face, we’re hit with the reality that our pets can’t live forever.

Spencer already had a scare when Boone was 10. An emergency trip to the vet confirmed: Boone had a ruptured tumor, internal bleeding, and a 99% chance that the cancer had already spread. But Boone still had fight in him. It wasn’t his time.

Spencer opted for surgery, and that choice gave Boone 3 more years of life.

Unfortunately, just a few weeks ago, Spencer was faced with a tough decision again when Boone experienced problems with his heart.

“You don't understand what's happening to them, and you can't talk to them about what they're feeling. And vets don't always have answers–nor do doctors for humans–right? And so I was sitting there, and I was like, ‘Is this really the end?’”

At some point, we kind of just know.

When our pets are sick, injured, or hurting, the decision to let them go is never easy. It never will be.

All we can hope for is that we gave them the best life we could, that we helped them feel safe, and that they can rest easy, filled with memories of belly rubs, beach walks, and special moments with their humans.

So where does that leave us?

As crazy pet parents, we get to spend our lives enriching the lives of our pets. Long walks, snuggles, special treats, car rides, vacations… whatever our pets love, we get to be the ones that provide that for them.

In the end, we’re left with memories that last a lifetime.

“Pets are so important to me, and Boone specifically was such an important, formative part of my life. I’m so grateful to have had him.”

Losing a pet is painful, but it’s so special to get to spend time with them at all. And knowing we can give that pet their best life ever? We wouldn’t trade it for the world.

RIP sweet Boonie boy.

We love you.

When He Knew Boone Was His Soul Dog