Goodbye to Our Little Buddy... Laid to Rest Friday, June 12, 2026

A week after Oliver turned 15, we took him to be with his maker. He had such a great time celebrating his birthday the week before on our quick trip to Kansas City. But when we got back, on Sunday, June 7, he started going downhill. He stopped eating, wouldn’t take his medication, and was having trouble standing. It was almost as though his little body said, “I made it to 15, and now I’m ready to rest.”

I had a conference scheduled Wednesday through Friday this week. Carrie took Oliver to the vet on June 10 so they could take a look at him. They gave him a steroid shot since he was coughing, having difficulty breathing, and struggling in just about every aspect of being a dog. I left that morning to drive to Emporia for the conference and told Carrie to keep me posted.

I was able to talk to Carrie around 1:00 on Wednesday. The vet told us his little body was failing. The steroid helped with the coughing, but with a collapsed trachea and an enlarged heart, it was clear that his time was near.

I’ll admit, I was naive. I thought we might have a few more months, continuing his medication three times a day and just enjoying having him with us a little longer. But his little body had other plans, and his decline happened quickly.

I can still remember when his cough first started. It really wasn’t that long ago, Martin Luther King Jr. weekend. That Sunday, he was playing in the family room, wrestling with a blanket, when he laid down for a minute. Suddenly, he got up and made a horrible sound. More of a yelp than a cough, really. But that became the cough we knew for the next four and a half months. Some days were worse than others, and there were nights when he, and us, were up most of the night as he struggled to breathe.

Someone mentioned to me last week that when they saw my post last week (see Fifteen Years with Oliver), they thought it was about Oliver passing. At the time, I was glad to say no, he was still going and still causing problems. How quickly that changed. What I thought had become our normal of medication and coughing turned into a rapid decline and conversations about putting him down. It’s a very difficult decision when you are saying goodbye to a member of your family.

I want to share a few memories of Oliver over the years.

Some of my favorite names I would call Oliver... other than Oliver included Tappie Toes, Doofus, Handsome, Sweet Cheeks, Precious Pancake, Tee Tee Rodriguez, Handsome Pants, Fussy Britches, and I am sure many others....

One of my favorites is from when he was a puppy. We got him in September 2011, and he was born in June 2011, so this was probably October or November. We were chasing him through the house one evening, and he was flying through the living room at full speed. He wasn’t quite in control of his back end, and as he came through, it drifted to the side and he ran straight into the coffee table with his backside. He stopped immediately and looked at us like he couldn’t understand why we would have hit him. He might have yelped a little too. Poor guy.

Joan and Eddie always took such wonderful care of Oliver when we traveled, and Oliver truly looked forward to spending time with them. Every visit felt special, full of attention, comfort, and familiar routines that made being away easier for all of us. While we were gone, Joan would thoughtfully share pictures, giving us peace of mind and little glimpses of Oliver’s happiness. Knowing Oliver was so well cared for and genuinely enjoying the time made every trip more relaxed and reassuring.

Oliver always got excited when we told him that we was going to see his Aunt Erin and Uncle Greg. Another person Oliver had a special connection with was Uncle Greg. He would light up every time he saw Greg. 

Another favorite was our trip to Crystal Beach, Texas, in 2016, his first and only time seeing the ocean. He was so intrigued. He would run toward the water, then sprint away when the waves came in. Eventually he got into the water, but it took him a while. At one point, we decided to take him off his leash so he could really enjoy it. That turned out to be a mistake. He took off at full speed down the beach, running through people’s setups while they laughed and pointed. We eventually caught him and got the leash back on.

Mom shared a couple of great stories about when Oliver stayed with her. One time, she took him out back without a leash. He walked out into the yard, turning back to check on her every few steps, making sure everything was okay. Once he finished his business, he came straight back inside with her.

Another time, when Mom wasn’t feeling well, she went to bed early and Oliver stayed in the room with her. Normally, he would wake up around 6:00 a.m., head downstairs, and perch on the back of her chair to watch for people and dogs to bark at. But that morning, he stayed with her and didn’t leave until she was ready to get up. She just told me that story recently.

There was also the time he tried to get on her bed. Oliver is used to sleeping on the bed with us, so he naturally assumed the same rules applied. Mom told him no after he had already jumped up, and from her description, he seemed surprised and quickly got down. After that, he never tried it again.

Oliver had a special bond with my sister Dina. From the time he was a puppy all the way through adulthood, we could say her name and he would perk up. I think a big part of that was that Dina would pet him for as long as he wanted, which was basically forever. A few months ago, we were able to have Dina watch Oliver while we were out of town for the first and only time. I wish we could have done that more. I know they both enjoyed it. Even later in life, if we mentioned Dina or Grandma, he would start looking around, expecting them to walk through the door.

Brenda and Javier were also on his favorites list. Oliver would get excited when we said their names and try to figure out when he might see them again. Brenda had Patches, and the two of them were best friends. When they first met at our house, even through the glass, it was like they had known each other forever. From that point on, they were often together, going on little adventures or just resting near each other. Even after Patches passed, we could still say his name and Oliver would perk up.

Since he was a puppy, Oliver always wanted to be with us, no matter where we were in the house. He kept close tabs on us, moving from room to room to stay nearby. If we went into the bathroom and closed the door, he would paw at it until we let him in. Eventually, we just got used to leaving the door open.

At times, he would get a little too involved and climb into my underpants while I was trying to take care of business. More recently, he would just come in, lay down facing the door, and keep watch. I liked to think he was protecting me. It’s something I’m going to miss more than I expected.

I’m also going to miss the nightly routine of him herding us to bed. Around 10:00, he would start letting us know it was time. He wouldn’t usually go upstairs without us, but he would stand in the kitchen and look at us like we were the problem. On weekends, when we stayed up later, he would eventually come back into the family room and lie down, clearly unhappy with our choices.

And then there was the licking at night. He would lick my elbow, ears, and hand if I let him, and most of the time I did. He could go for hours before moving on to Carrie’s legs. I don’t know what he got out of it, but it was oddly relaxing, and I think it soothed him too as he settled in for the night.

Losing a pet is incredibly hard. This is the third one I’ve lost. The first was Captain when I was young, and I remember that pain clearly. Then Carrie brought Sidney into my life. I had never been much of a cat person, but Sidney won me over. When we had to say goodbye to him in June 2011, Carrie and I were a mess for a week.

Now here we are again. It’s Saturday as I write this, the day after we said goodbye to Oliver. Carrie and I are a mess. I still expect to hear his tappie toes while I’m watching Royals baseball. I expect to see him when I wake up. I expect to hear him scratching at the bathroom door. But none of that will happen now.

He’s gone, but we have so many memories and so many pictures.

He was a great friend and a loyal companion. I can’t believe he’s gone, but I know he’s in a better place, and he can breathe again.

I love you, Oliver Haverty. You were the best dog in the world, and we were so lucky to have you in our lives.

See all the photos I could find of Oliver on my Flickr page. There are quite a few, along with some videos as well. I know this is something I’ll come back to often as I remember my sweet Oliver. 

Oliver Album on Flickr.

Fifteen Years with Oliver

2011 Oliver Running

Today is a big day in our house. Oliver turns 15.

Fifteen years. It is hard to even type that without pausing for a second. It does not feel like it has been that long since we brought him home, this tiny little dog with a big personality who somehow became the household supervisor, always keeping an eye on everything happening inside and outside. If someone walks by the backyard, Oliver is on it. If another dog is around, he is on alert. In his mind, he is not just part of the neighborhood watch, he is leading it.

Oliver and Aunt Dina in 2011

At the same time, he has always been social in his own way. If you have ever been around him on a patio or out in public, you know he enjoys watching people come and go and greeting whoever he can. He is just as happy sitting and observing the world as he is being right in the middle of it.

Sleepy Oliver... Long Before Camping 2013

Over the years, Oliver has been on a lot of adventures with us. Camping trips, vacations, simple walks around the neighborhood. Some of the best memories are not the big trips, but the smaller moments. Sitting outside at a campsite, going for a walk in a new place, or even just letting him explore and sniff everything in sight.

Oliver Camping in 2025

Camping with Oliver has always been a favorite. There is something about getting him out into a new environment where he can take it all in. New smells, new sounds, new places to explore. He might come back tired, but he always seems happy, and those trips have become some of our best shared experiences.

Lately, those moments have taken on even more meaning.

Oliver Back Yard May 2026

As many of you know, the past year has brought some health challenges for Oliver. He has an enlarged heart and a heart murmur, along with a cough that comes and goes. There have been nights where sleep is interrupted and days where we are carefully watching how he is doing. He is on medication now, and there are good days and tougher days.

But through it all, Oliver still finds ways to be himself.

He still gets excited for walks, even knowing they might trigger a coughing fit. He still wants to play. He still enjoys being near us, whether that means sitting nearby, following us from room to room, or settling in close for a nap. While he used to spend a lot of time stretched out on the couch, that has changed over the past few months. He prefers to be stretched out on the floor or in places he would never have been previously... but that is OK.

And maybe more than anything, he still reminds us to slow down and appreciate the moment we are in.

Back Yard Selfie April 2026

That has been one of the biggest gifts of the past year. When things get uncertain, you pay more attention. You take the extra walk. You let him sniff a little longer. You sit with him a little more. You become more aware of just how much these everyday routines actually mean.

Oliver has also been incredibly lucky to have Carrie taking such great care of him. There is no doubt he is spoiled, in the best possible way. He gets the attention, the treats, the snuggles, and whatever spot works best for him these days. If he could write this post himself, I am pretty sure it would mostly be a thank-you note for all of that, followed by a nap.

Looking back over fifteen years, it is hard to capture everything Oliver has meant to us. He has been there through so many seasons of life. Through changes, routines, trips, and everyday moments that probably did not feel like much at the time but now stand out as meaningful because he was part of them.

Photo Op at Hotel

He has made us laugh more times than I can count. He has tested our patience a few times too, especially when he is barking at something on the TV where there are dogs or horses. But mostly, he has brought a steady kind of joy that is hard to describe until you experience it.

And that is really what today is about.

Not just the number 15, although that is incredible on its own. It is about everything that comes with it. The years, the memories, the routines, the trips, the walks, the quiet moments at home. All of it adds up to something pretty special.

So today, we celebrate Oliver.

Walking Oliver June 2024

We will take extra pictures. We will probably take a walk. There will definitely be treats. And we will spend the day doing what he has always loved most, just being together.

Happy 15th birthday, Oliver. We love you.

If you have followed along here over the years, you have seen Oliver pop up in all kinds of posts. Sometimes he is front and center, sometimes just in the background of a picture or a quick story, but he has been a constant in our lives and in this blog.

Listening for Tappy Toes

Short post this week… I think. As I start writing this, I am struggling to think of something to write, so I will provide an update on Oliver.

As you may recall, he was struggling a few weeks ago with coughing. He is taking medication on a regular basis, and while he sometimes fights taking it by spitting it out, he is doing well. He coughs some during the day, but not nearly as bad as it was.

We take each day as a blessing when he is not coughing or appearing uncomfortable. He sleeps through the night and is in good spirits, especially with the nice weather, where he has been running and playing with the neighbor dogs. It is good to see.

Oliver will be 15 in June. I know the life expectancy for a Japanese Chin is 14 - 16 years, so I am hoping we can go the full 16 years, or more. He fights us when it comes to taking his medication, as he is on three different medications multiple times a day, but he is doing so well. I love hearing his tappy toes on the hardwood floors as he walks through the kitchen. I want that to continue, and I want him to be comfortable, which he appears to be at this point.

Thank you to those who have been asking how Oliver is doing. Until next time, have a great rest of your weekend and a wonderful week ahead.

When Your Dog’s Heart Needs Extra Care

Static Hair After
Playing in the Blankets

The Saturday before Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Oliver started hacking and coughing out of the blue. Since that Saturday afternoon, he has continued to cough throughout the day. As reported in my January 18 post, he has had that awful sound happening. We took him to the vet twice the following week, had x-rays done, and he has been on medication since. He is currently taking three medications. He was diagnosed with a heart murmur and an enlarged heart.

Oliver will be 15 in June 2026. It is hard to believe, as I can still remember him as a little puppy and having to take him out in the middle of the night to do his bathroom duties. We have been fortunate that he has not had any major health issues. He did lose most of his teeth over the years, which is common in the Japanese Chin breed and in smaller dogs, but he has had no other major issues since we have had him.

It has been tough watching him struggle with breathing over the past few weeks. There is no cure for congestive heart disease, but the medication is supposed to help slow the progression. He sounds pitiful with his hacking, coughing, and the small whimpers he makes when he cannot breathe. If I put my head against his body, I can hear the heart murmur.

I am hopeful that we can get the coughing under control, and if we do, we may have more time with him. He continues to be interested in food, treats, and water, just as he has since this started. He keeps me up during the night, and in turn, he is up through the night as well. I know he is exhausted from the hacking and coughing. Some nights are better than others, where he, and we, are able to sleep most of the night.

The latest medication he was prescribed includes a syringe that we fill with liquid and give to him by mouth. He hates it. He snaps at us and actually got me pretty good on Saturday morning when I was giving him the medication. We give this one, along with another medication, every twelve hours. On Saturday night, I tried putting the liquid on a spoon, and he ate it with no problem. That will now be the new way we administer the liquid medication.

The average lifespan of a Japanese Chin is 12-14 years, so I know we are getting bonus time with a very special little guy. It is strange how this started so suddenly. My hope is that we are able to have him in our lives for another year. Other than the coughing and occasional shortness of breath, I do not believe he is in pain. When he is not having breathing issues, he wants to play, rub his head in the blankets, or run around in the backyard, even when it is freezing cold outside. We will rely on our vet to guide us and make sure he is not suffering.

We love him so much, and it pains us to watch him struggle to breathe. I am praying that the cough goes away and that we are able to keep him in our lives for a while longer.

Sunshine, Leaves, and a Little Dog Named Oliver

Our little Oliver has been loving the fall weather lately. Earlier this week, Carrie took him on a walk through the neighborhood. Although they couldn’t find a spot on the patio at Salute, he still enjoyed the outing. Trotting through the fallen leaves and soaking in the crisp air, he was the big dog on the block. A few times over the past couple of weeks, we’ve let him outside, and he just sits in the sun with a goofy look on his face, completely content and clearly enjoying life.

This is also the kind of weather where, on a typical weekend when I’m trying to watch football, Oliver insists on going in and out of the house a dozen times. Eventually, I just prop the door open so he can come and go as he pleases. Of course, he’d still prefer that one of us be outside with him to enjoy the weather together.

Seeing the leaves fall is a welcome sight as we hope for a long, beautiful autumn and an easy winter ahead.

Home Sweet Home: Oliver's Adventures While We Camped

I hope you had a good weekend. It was beautiful outside the whole weekend, so I hope you were able to get out and enjoy. Carrie and I were out camping and I will have pictures and update of our trip next week. Today is somewhat of a short post as we are both exhausted after being gone since Thursday. 

While we were away, we had Oliver staying with Joan and Eddie. We always love to get pictures of Oliver while we are away so we can see what he is doing. The first one to the left is of him in the bathroom sitting on a mat. Who knows what he is doing or maybe he wanted to find a quiet spot to wonder why we left him.

The next one is a video of Oliver barking at Lucky Dog. Granted, he barks at anything that looks like a dog on the TV which could include but is not limited to dogs, cats, and horses. Funny when he does it when not trying to nap, but he will startle you if trying to sleep and he starts barking at something on the television. Still, it is funny and he has done this since he was a little puppy.

We would have taken Oliver on our camping trip, but we attended the Washburn game at Missouri Western State University and it was best to leave him back in Topeka. More on our camping trip next week.

Like I said, it was going to be a short update for this week. About our dog Oliver and a hint of what we did this weekend that I will post an update for next week.

Until next week, have a great week!

Walks, Wuffes, and Woofs: Celebrating Oliver's 13th with a Tail-Wagging Adventure

Oliver Walking on his Birthday

Oliver turned 13 on June 5. It was his birthday, and we showered him with greetings throughout the day. But the true highlight was going on a walk. I have been taking him on a walk following my jogging. He is anxious while I am gone and watching for me to return. This time though when I got back, he whined three times wanting to get going on his walk. Poor guy, his birthday and he had to wait for me to get back from a jog so he could show off to the neighborhood that it was his birthday. He had a grand time walking through the neighborhood. We walked one mile and I think he could have kept going.

Action Shot While we Walk

I wanted to get a picture of us walking, so I put my phone down by a tree and captured us on our walk. Oliver was a little confused on what we were doing as I placed the phone, backtracked, and then walked forward again. We did this a few times and I think he thought I had lost my mind. Nope! Just trying to get a picture of us walking together, Oliver. 

We spotted a few other dogs on our walk. Oliver, even at 13, can still be a bit excitable around other dogs. So, I usually try to avoid other dogs as much as possible on our walks. If we start down a street and I see someone with a dog, we might change routes so we avoid the dog. Some people we meet with dogs do not understand and want to approach for our dogs to meet. He has gotten better, but still a bit of a nut when meeting other dogs. Rather embarrassing when he acts like a nut. 

Selfie with Oliver on our Walk

We had a good time on our walk. A lot of sniffing, finding spots, and looking over the lay of the land. Oliver gets so excited at the mention of "walk" so of course we spell it out and he is starting to recognize when we spell it out what we are talking about. I recently started running again and in turn started walking Oliver regularly. He loves it so much that I need to make sure to walk him through the week even if I am not running. He has a happy look on his face and of course he sleeps so well on the days we do our walks.

Oliver October 2011

It is hard to believe our little guy is thirteen years old. I still remember him as a little puppy with a lot of energy, playing with toys, wanting belly tickles, and have a grand time. Ok, well, he still does all of that at thirteen which is fantastic. 

A quick shout out to supplements that Carrie got for Oliver a few months ago and completely changed his energy and ability to run around or jump on the couch. She saw an ad on FaceBook for Wuffes. Prior to us giving Oliver Wuffes, he had joint pain, sometimes he could not jump on the couch, and he really had no energy to play. We have been giving him Wuffes for a few months and can see a difference in how he acts and the energy he has throughout the day. Carrie usually gives him his supplement at night after his super. All she says is "want your supplement" and he knows what is happening. Gets excited and waits for his supplement to be broken out to him.

Happy Birthday, Oliver. I hope you had a great day of celebration.