The Athlete, The Entertainer, The Water Queen
If Aspen loved it, we did it.
Fast CAT — chasing the lure as fast as she could run. She proudly earned her BCAT and DCAT titles.
Barn Hunt — a natural from day one, earning her title the first weekend along with multiple blue ribbons.
Dock Diving — once she realized jumping meant swimming, she was all in.
She even became the 2018 National Champion Splash Dog (Novice Division). The ribbon was taller than she was… and she sat there wearing it like royalty.Scent Work — when she found the hide, she would bounce as high as my head all the way out of the arena earning many titles along the way.
Trick Dog titles — she adored an audience.
Water of any kind — lakes, rivers, pools, mud holes… everything except baths.
She didn’t chase elite distances in dock diving-She chased happiness. And that was enough.
She continued diving — happily — until the week before she left this world.
A First Responder Therapy Dog
Aspen wasn’t just an athlete. She was intuitive in ways that still amaze me.
After completing FEMA training, she became a First Responder Therapy Dog. We visited fire camps, fire stations, police departments, ambulance crews, and dispatch centers.
She knew the difference between a cheerful visit and one following trauma. I watched her soften instantly when someone needed comfort. She would lean in gently, offering quiet strength.
My Partner in Life
As an international show horse photographer, Aspen grew up at horse shows. She understood the rules:
Camera up? She laid at my feet.
Camera down? Playtime.
Golf cart rides? Her favorite — though she was very selective about who was allowed to “drive away” with her.
If left in the cart ringside, she never moved until I returned.
She loved babies — human and animal alike. She once tried to mother a lost baby possum for hours. Injured birds were gently cleaned and guarded. She had the kindest heart.
Nine Years Was Not Enough
Aspen seemed strong and unstoppable — running, swimming, playing daily with her daughter Rain.
Then one day, after chasing a squirrel, she collapsed under a tree. At the ER the doctor gave us grim news but also a possible treatment.
She rallied and had a great ten days...
She swam at Lake Comanche. She attended one last dock diving event where, instead of politely walking down the ramp as I’d asked, she launched herself into the pool like she always had. The crowd cheered. She glowed.
Altho my heart wasn’t ready, her body told us it was done.
Surrounded by love, with her daughter Rain beside her, Aspen left this world peacefully.
My heart was shattered but I knew I had done the right thing for her….
Why Aspens Place Exists
Aspens Place was created in her honor.
It stands for:
Letting dogs be who they are.
Supporting their joy, health, and individuality.
Choosing products that enhance life, not just appearance.
Celebrating the bond between dogs and the people who love them.
Aspen taught me that titles don’t matter — happiness does.
Performance doesn’t define worth — heart does.
And our time with them is never long enough — so every day must count.
There will never be another Aspen.
But through Aspens Place, her spirit — joyful, brave, playful, and loving — continues to touch lives.
And that is her legacy. 🐾
