By Ruthann Steffes
Sedona came into my life in 2008 at age 17 months – a rescue. Sweet Sunny (another of my Goldens who had also been a therapy dog at VAMC) had recently passed when I was told by our Animal Communicator, Ann Marie Hoff, that she would come back to me. Sedona was born the same month Sweet Sunny died; Sweet Sunny came back to me in the form of Sedona.
Sedona was naturally trained for Pet therapy, registered with Therapy Dogs International and as an AKC Therapy dog. She visited the same two nursing homes for more than a decade and was retired at the beginning of Covid.
Everyone knew Sedona: walking down the street or in a store or restaurant, they’d would all stop and greet her. If I didn’t take her with me, people would ask, “Where’s Sedona?”
She loved to hike, and we visited the dog park every day. She could jump really high when catching her Frisbee. She visited many places around town, including my church and our parish priest.
Shortly after her retirement, Sedona contracted cancer, and then a large inoperable tumor was discovered. We chose Naturopathic treatment and medications as they were less invasive. It was working until a few months ago when she lost her appetite.
I hand-fed her anything I thought she would eat. When she would no longer eat, we knew it was time to say goodbye. She had lost six pounds and was suffering. She died peacefully November 8, 2021. She was the love of my life. I am sure she will be missed by many.
