“Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day.
It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them.”
― John Grogan
Around two am early yesterday morning we got a call from our son asking if we saw the message in our family chat. I hadn’t. I was sleeping. The reach-out was greatly appreciated. It let us know that it was time to say “Goodbye” to our faithful fur family.
Her legs gave out suddenly earlier in the day. Our food-obsessed little one stopped eating. Star seemed to know it was time to go. The kids gathered and petted her, sharing their goodbyes. Chris and I video-called and told her what a good girl she was. By dawn she was gone.
She was at peace, snuggled with her “Mom” and “Dad” — Hudi and Mollie. In our family chat, Hudi posted an image taken of her an hour before she passed, and it was so reassuring. She was calm and seemed happy.
Star was twelve human-years old. During those years she lived in western NY, northern NY, and Utah. She joined the family on countless trips and lived for her walks/runs with her other dog buddies.
When we first got her, she had a white patch on her forhead. Hudi named her. The patch disappeared, but she still had what looked like a beautiful galaxy on her legs to the name was still fitting.
A smart one — she obeyed countless words, and also responded to sign language. Her favorite words/phrases included: walk, cookie, Grandma and the phrase “It’s the boys! Go get them!”
Back when cell phones were relatively new, my friend Pat would text before she left her house. Then she and her dogs would meet Star and me for a walk. It got to a point where Star would run to the window and bark excitedly then try to lead me to the door whenever I got a text message. haha
She was always up for an adventure. Once, when she was a puppy, she decided to leave the yard and wandered over to the local church and invited herself inside during a service 🙂 Fortunately the youth pastor recognized her from photos we had on Facebook, and returned her home.
Her coat was thick, and we found her happiest in the water and running through snow drifts, even in the heaviest snowfalls. Happy as anything.
She is already greatly missed. But I’m also so thankful she was part of our world. We love you, Starry Girl <3
Here are some favorite moments from over the years:
Best of buds — Mom and Star 
Star hears Lauren and CJ’s voice and joins the call 
Star and her sister 
Nothing like family. Gotta give those kisses! 
Star’s happy place 
“My humans are getting married” scarf on Star 
Trouble at the start 🙂 
Car buddies 
Star loved her faux fire 
Cuddling is the best 
Even when they are grown 
Cousins 
Snow dog 
Beach babe 
Just chillin’ 
Dreaming 
Holiday Love 
She loved the jingly hats and would run up to us to get this put on. 
Most likely wearing a real halo now. Hope so. She deserves it.
13 responses to “Our Star was a Star”
My heart cries a little at Star’s passing. She was truly a star and will be greatly missed by your whole family. I am so grateful for the love of our pets. Star had such a great family and life!
Love, Aunt Jan
Thanks. Pets are such a gift, for sure.
What a beautiful tribute! She sounds like just a wonderful friend. She was surrounded by love ❤️ you said it perfectly.
Thank you. She was the best of friends.
Oh my, sweet little Star. I’m so sorry to hear this. She was well loved and had the good fortune to land in the best family. Hugs to all.
Thanks so much, Tim. If anyone appreciates a love for dogs, it’s you. So many good memories.
Your family was the best Star could have had.
That is so sweet. Thank you.
🌈 I’m so sorry, Chrissie. Star was so wonderful!! Love the church story. The first time I met Star was the week my Kaiser passed. You and your family were coming down to Long Island for a visit, and Star helped me deal with the deep loss. Of course, she had to add her own drama: right before you came: she got sprayed by a skunk!
Hahaha. I remember that time. She kept getting into such trouble when she was little. I think that was shortly after she got into a battle with a muskrat and had a swollen face for a week. We weren’t sure she was going to make it. With that skunk scenario, we were pulled over for speeding a bit in a small town around that time. The cop stuck his head in our car, looked at the five of us crammed in with our obviously stinky dog and let us go with a warning 😀
That’s hilarious 😄
So pretty family photo. So smart little kids. U like
Beautiful, Chrissie! I am a sucker for a doggie’s tan eyebrows like Star has in the pics! 💙 Sad to lose her, yet wonderful memories last forever. xox