A million memories

This post is dedicated my dogga, Tara

Born 22/3/2013. History unknown, twice surrendered, in foster care.

Rescued: 02/01/2015.

Died 19/11/2025

Tara was a giant gentle Rottie Ridgeback cross. My first big dog.

Even on the first day she came home, which must have been super confusing for her, she settled into life with us well. She raced around the garden and played tug of war with the rope, she loved the cats and she sat on us constantly. There were no negative behaviours, she wasn’t aggressive, she was very affectionate, wasn’t destructive, didn’t have any health issues, was good with the cats. So I felt like we’d hit the dog jackpot.

We had the best life, we got her a companion, Cooper, who was her bestie from that point on. We moved from the burbs to the forest and Tara loved it, they both did. Space to run, and space to go for walks and runs together. We chilled, explored, ran through puddles, and grew old and grey together. But as these things go with dogs, especially big ones, she grew old faster than us. We watched her slow down, get stiff, but she never ever lost any of her spark and love, and she still greeted us with huge barks and ever smaller jumps.

And then this week, unexpectedly and heartbreakingly, she is gone.

So. Before time robs me of the details, some memories of my beautiful girl. Almost 11 years with us – thats about 1/5 of my life. A big deal.

How she loved to race around the garden and play tug of war
When she took a roast chicken off the stove whilst we were waiting to serve dinner. And a mac and cheese 😀
The way she tackled a wannabe burglar the ground in the back garden in the middle of the night
How she used to come running into the bedroom and vault over the end of the bed and lay lengthwise right on top of me on the bed, tail wagging and full of love
The way she’d spring hop sideways onto the bed or sofa
How she’d sit upright with her back pressed against you, throwing her head back for affection
When she’d wave her paw in the air when she was sitting upright when she wanted more pats
How she’d always want to insert herself between Jay and I – sofa, bed, whatever.
When I hurt my leg in a motorbike accident, how she lay on he bed with me for days when I was resting
How her tail thwacked against the walls and sometimes knocked things over when she was excited
How she used to pin Cooper down and lick his ears (and he loved it)
The giant barks on the front deck when I came home from work
How she loved to run when we went for walks in the forest. If there were puddles, she’d run through them at full speed with her tongue out, scooping up water on the way
How she loved the kangaroos. Always fascinated.
How even the noise of the cheese drawer would wake her up from seemingly the deepest sleep
How she knew to do ‘paw’ to shake hands to get a treat.
When it was her (or Coopers) gotcha or birthdays and Jay made them cupcakes
When we made steak for them one day as a treat
How she would sit on the patio when I played ball with Cooper but come running up for fuss if I asked her
When she would gruffle and bark for more if we stopped patting her with an exaggerated ‘no more pats’
How she would get so excited when it was time for walkies. Jumping and barking and so ready!
How she’d hop off the ramp if we went out the front for a walk, dragging me down!
How she’d do loud ‘woof’ barks at the other dogs as we went down the street
How she learned to sit when we crossed the road and only crossed on command
How she loved the brook and would jump in – sometimes a little too deep for her, but that never stopped her
How she would look up at you for reassurance, or just because she wanted to give eye contact and say hi
When she ate cat poop and got toxoplasmosis and she fitted out on a walk.. we had to rush to the vet, unreal, I thought she was dying.
How she learned (and taught Cooper) to bang on the door to be let out, even at night
How she and Copper would go out in the garden and race up the top if there were kangaroos. She was much faster than him for a few years, but then as she grew older, he would win, and then she would just sit and bark on the couch to tell him that he needed to go out and let them know who was boss.
How she loved to eat the dirt from the avocado plant pot. And the fig leaves. Which are poisonous – argh.
She loved all treats, as she got older, she had trouble with chewing hard things.
Her bum waggle as she walked down the stairs
How she loved the smells out on the walk. Was so lovely to see her so engaged with that, even though walks could take a while.
Her snoring in the evenings
How shed hide under the bed during storms or really heavy rain
How she’d lie on her back/side, curled up upside down on the sofa when she was napping
Most of all, just how happy she was to be around us, with us, and how much of a comfortable life she had. She was always warm, soft, well looked after, fed endless treats, loved, cherished, hugged and kissed.

I have the most horrible pain in my heart, I can hardly breathe writing this.
So thanks for your unconditional love, Little Bear. I miss you terribly. We all do.

Time for me to unclip your lead and for you to run on ahead. I’ll catch you up one day soon.