Last Christmas, my wife Cindy and I decided to bring a house dog onto the farm. We felt it was the right time to introduce a family pet to our children and teach them the love and responsibility that comes with it.
Growing up on a farm, we always had cats, dogs, and livestock. While they were primarily “working animals,” we grew to appreciate their differences. We chose a dog specifically because we felt they might be less destructive to furniture than cats. After much consideration, a French Bulldog joined our family. As she was a Christmas present, the kids named her “Olive the Other Reindeer,” or simply Olive.
Olive was a gentle soul—a good listener who loved treats and cuddles. Just a few weeks after her one-year check-up, where she received a clean bill of health, she was unexpectedly in medical distress. We rushed her to the Southern Alberta Veterinary Emergency (SAVE) clinic in Okotoks. We cannot praise the staff there enough for their kind and professional care during such a difficult time. Ultimately the outcome was devastating and we had to say goodbye much too soon. To say we are still reeling from the loss is an understatement.
In processing my grief, I researched the ancient bond between humans and dogs. Scientists have found that this relationship dates back over 40,000 years. Dogs share 99.9% of their DNA with the Eurasian gray wolf, or Canis lupus, yet their behavior is vastly different. Unlike wolves, dogs rely on eye contact to communicate with humans. Research even shows that eye contact triggers the release of oxytocin—the “bonding hormone”—in both humans and dogs. This explains why the loss of a pet is so deeply felt; we have been burying and honoring our canine companions for over 14,000 years.
We plan to honor Olive with a burial on the farm, just as we did with our first dog, Maggie.
At A Stones Throw RV Campground, we developed two off-leash dog parks because we believe dogs are a part of the family, they deserve exercise and fun. It is an amenity our guests truly appreciate. While we do our best to respect all pets, we have occasionally had to make the difficult decision to evict dogs that have shown aggression or lack of control. Our priority is ensuring that all guests and their pets feel safe in our campground.
Will there be another dog in our future? Absolutely. But for now, we are simply remembering Olive and the immense joy she brought to our home.
