While going through old photos to select one for my post on Oliver, I came across this photo from February, 2019.

(From left to right: Hannah,  Oliver, Teddy, and Rainier)

It brings back bittersweet memories of our days having these four dogs that were with us in Gig Harbor. They were all remarkable – as I’ve written about each of them as they left us.

It was never our intent to have that many.

We lost Frosty – our super-sized West Highland White Terrier – in late 2005. For a couple of years, we only had Sunny and Sebastian – our two orange tabbies.

In early 2008, Terri decided she wanted a therapy dog for her clinic – and the small but mighty Teddy arrived.

We had Teddy, and then got Oliver for me, and to be Teddy’s playmate.

But Oliver quickly outgrew Teddy and we decided he needed a playmate and got Rainier.  All three were with us as we moved from Kent to Gig Harbor in 2013.

As Oliver and Rainier never became playmates, and Teddy decided he was retiring from being a therapy dog soon after I retired, we got Hannah in 2016 – and chose a female to balance out the energies.

For three years (2016-2019) we had the four of them.

There was always the energy and barking of four dogs in the house. Each of them had their own personality and moods. But they all got along, and taking them on walks through downtown Gig Harbor always elicited comments and compliments.

It was a treat to return to the house and have all of them waiting at the door  to greet me as I entered the house.

Invariably, they’d wanted to go outside immediately – unless they thought it was meal time.

But nothing ever lasts, and seven months after this photo – Rainier left us.

We still had three dogs, but the house felt empty without Rainier. It was a clear reflection of how much each of our pets adds to our lives and how strongly their absence is felt.

The next year we got Henry – and we were back to four.

Then two years later (2022), Teddy left us.

Back to three, and again the house felt empty.

We considered the issue of having another dog – at some point, you have to think about your age and whether a dog would outlive you.

But the time seemed right and in late 2025 we brought home Gracie. Again, back to four – now with a new puppy. and Hannah given a chance to be a mommy dog.

Then Hannah tragically left us in May 2025 – it still hurts. And last month we lost Oliver. Two dogs in one year is very tough.

Now we have Henry and Gracie, who have always been inseparable, and perhaps now even more so.

And the house feels even more empty – and even more than that on days where both are gone

It’s strange being in the house without at least one of our dogs being here. And yet – when I look around, I have memories of them and everything they added to our daily lives. And sometimes, I can still hear the echoes of their happy barks.

I miss them all – and am so glad we have Henry and Gracie.

(From left; Gracie, Henry)