Died – 5/14/16
“Today I had to make the heart breaking decision to say my final goodbye to my beautiful MWD Flow (Flowbo). While I have known for a while now that you have not been at the top of your game, a general visit to the vet for a check up showed that your heart was sadly in a state that could not be repaired. The sudden shock of having to come to terms with losing you so soon was and is still too much for me to bare. As I sit here with tears running down my face trying to find the right words to pay you the tribute that you so truly deserve! When I met you on reteam the pain of losing my first Military Working Dog was still very fresh and I was not ready to let another dog get so close. I had my wall up, keeping you at arm’s length, too scared to let you in and I know that it showed. But in your true old lady style, you shattered my wall down and stole my heart a lot quicker than I anticipated. For many years you provided the RAAF with outstanding puppies that continue to protect our country. It was evident when I met you that you craved a bond with just one person. I couldn’t be more honored to have been your special human because you certainly became my special crusty old lady. I have never met a dog who is so well known and genuinely loved and cherished by so many handlers and people within the dog world. Flowbo, I will never forget how soft your coat always was (even when you were covered in your own poo), or how much you loved to have your nose kissed as you kept me warm on long night shifts, or how big your smile always was every time I walked into that kennel bank and you realised it was me, or how you gave the best snuggles of any dog I have ever had. They say losing your first MWD is always the hardest and while I still stand by that you certainly weren’t far behind.
You will forever be my crusty old lady and I will never stop loving and missing you, I wish that there was more that I could have done for you and I wish I could have given you more of the life you truly deserve. I am so sorry you had to leave so soon.”