At only eight years old, Willow was taken from us suddenly and unexpectedly on August 28, 2016. She was never just a dog to us; she was an important member of our family. At only four weeks old Willow pushed her way to the front of her littermates and chose us to be her pack. When we brought her home at eight weeks old, there was no doubt that she belonged with us. We needed her as much as she needed us. She did her job of protecting and guarding and leading; she was the alpha despite our claims of us being the pack leaders. She taught us a lot of things, and made us laugh a lot, too.
Willow loved swimming, going camping in the trailer, and spending time at “her” mountain cabin. She loved playing ball and Frisbee, being outside with us, and going for rides in “the dogs’ SUV.” She wanted to be everywhere we were, and we wanted that, too. She even enjoyed going to the vet’s office, and seeing all the wonderful staff, and was so good during her exams and getting shots.
Willow loved the sound of her own voice, even though she really did not like loud noises at all. We always knew when someone was at the door, and in her mind, they were always there to see her. She showed us her lineage every time the phone rang; she howled long and loud just like a wolf. It was a beautiful sound to hear.
Willow was faithful, loving, and so very much loved. Our hearts ache terribly, but we are grateful for the time we had. She loved her canine and feline companions, she loved us, and we loved her, and always will, more than she will ever know. She was our crazy girl, our beast, and she was our precious, and our princess; she was and always will be our Willow girl. We love you, and miss you more than words can say, Willow Alese Kalona. You were and will forever be our beautiful soul, and we will see you again someday, we know. The Allens.