It’s a sad day for ElderDog Dog Care Support and Rehoming volunteers in West Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo Pawds.  On February 13, we lost Bear, who would have been 16 years old in May.

Bear and his human companion, Alfie, were inseparable. When Alfie’s health began to fail, his main concern was that Bear needed to get used to being apart from him.  In August 2022, ElderDog was contacted and a special friendship began with Alfie and Bear.

The volunteers brought Bear to the vet and took him out for walks. They visited everyday and ensured Alfie was taken care of too.  To the volunteers, Alfie and Bear were like family.

In December 2024, Alfie became ill. He was afraid to go to the hospital until he knew Bear was taken care of.  Enter Cindy Wass, a wonderful foster from our Kitchener-Waterloo Pawd. Cindy drove to Toronto to meet Alfie and to assure him that she would provide the best care for Bear until he came home.  Sadly, Alfie never fully recovered and he passed away five months later.

Cindy decided that Bear would stay with her, to live out the rest of his life knowing nothing but love and comfort.  With ElderDog’s help, Cindy was able to give him that. Bear saw Cindy through two hip surgeries and Cindy saw Bear through his aches and pains that come with old age.  He was well loved until the end.  Now, he and Alfie are back together again on the other side of the bridge, walking side by side.

RIP Bear.  You’re home now.