Epi
Epi chose Kali as her Human, and it was love at first sight. But from the day Epi came home at 8 weeks, she was the boss. She aced her Obedience classes and had the best Canine manners of any dog we ever owned. She never jumped on people, she had a soft mouth for treats and never "table surfed" for food, no matter how tantalizing.
Epi knew how to tell time, and relentlessly reminded us with an elbow bump at 10 a.m. every morning that it was "Apple/Yogurt" time. At 5:00 p.m. she would come and find us, no matter where we were, and vocalize to us to let us know it was supper time. And at precisely 8:15 p.m., she would vocalize that it was time for "brain games", her opportunity to get a few extra kibble before bed by performing her "tricks" - shake a paw, sit up, sneak, catch, which hand, leave it and go find.
Although she was a Retriever, chasing balls or small animals was never her thing. But take her to the beach at Lake Nutimik, and she would fetch sticks or logs from the water all day long.
She made friends easily with humans, especially the neighbor Joe, with whom she had a special bond. She loved all her "aunties" at Urban Canine, especially Jamie, who's girls read to Epi when she stayed with them while we were travelling.
Epi made us especially proud when she became a St. John's Ambulance Therapy Dog, after having her first experience with the Winnipeg Humane Society's "See Spot Read" program. She went on to share her special Therapy Dog magic at Rockwood School with neuro-diverse children, at Convalescent Home with Seniors, and with travellers at the James Richardson International Airport. In 2025, she courageously provided comfort to the many First Nations members who had to evacuate their homes due to the forest fires, and stay in the Leila Soccer Complex in Winnipeg.
In addition to giving her time and her wonderful love as a Therapy Dog, she gave of herself, as a canine blood donor.
We are eternally grateful to Susan Triggs, for putting us in touch with TamarackLakes breeder Carrie Frobisher, Epi's first Human. If not for these two ladies, we would not have been blessed with the life of Miss Epi for the past 10 years. We miss our girl and her paw prints are etched on our hearts forever.