About a week ago, we said goodbye to our sweet, sassy Lady Fal. Falmouth (Fally) came into our lives through serendipity. We walked past a dog adoption event months before we planned to adopt. When we met Fally, we knew she was meant to be in our family. She was smart and engaging – smiling and turning towards admirers as they complimented her. She had soulful light yellowish-brown eyes that told you there was much more to her than just her cute exterior.

Fally had grown up in a construction site and was recently rescued from a kill shelter in the Carolinas. We hated thinking about her living on the streets, but it shaped how fierce, tough, and sassy she was and how much she appreciated and adored us.

Growing up on the streets, she was used to pack dynamics. She was a true alpha, looking out for her pack and keeping order. But she had terrible separation that eventually led us to adopt her feisty, fun little brother, Ernie (a fellow rescue). Fally attended doggie daycare a few days a week. She thought she was one of the “big dogs” and refused to hang out with anyone less than double her size.

She welcomed into her pack three human brothers and assumed the responsibility of overseeing their safety as well. She could always be found near one or more family members, never going upstairs for the night until the last family member was ready to go up as well.

An adventurous and confident explorer, Fally saw so much of the US. In her 15.5-16.5 years, she saw 27 states, 11 national parks, had 7 human and non-human siblings, a handful of inner circle members, and touched countless lives for the better.

She has been living with Cushing’s for the past ~5 years and was known by her brothers as a hyena who would steal all food and water within reach. She was still joining us for hikes as recently as the past month and had a lot of pep in her step despite a face full of white fur. She celebrated the 12th year anniversary of walking down the aisle for our wedding but took a turn around 4am the following day. She reached her time to join her dog and hermit crab brothers and so many of her friends who have already crossed over the rainbow bridge.

She is survived by her parents, 3 human brothers, and 21-year-old cat sister. She leaves a permanent mark on our hearts like the adorable blue paw print tattoo on her tongue. We will never be the same without her but will forever feel her love.
-Terry, Chris, Evan, Ollie & Cole