Sunday, September 28, 2008 our sweet and loyal dog Sierra passed away. We were camping at Fish Lake off of Seven Mile when she was running alongside a car of a friend that was camping with us and she got too ahead of the car and was hit. At first we didn't think it was fatal. She had lost a tooth, but there was so much more that we couldn't see that was going on. Bill was out with his brother and dad when this happened. When he returned to camp, after having looked at Sierra's injuries we decided we would drive to Richfield to try and find a vet to take a look at her. Only a few minutes later Sierra, with Bill by her side, died.
This has been devastating for both Bill and I. We got her when she was only 6 weeks old 7 1/2 years ago. And before Stella came along, our dogs were our babies! I will never forget when Bill came home from the Elk Foundation dinner and stood at my doorway holding this white, fat, fluffy puppy. It was love at first sight! She has been my shadow, Bill's hunting buddy, Stella's first friend, and Tristan's playmate. Our home has not been the same without her. However, if she had to go, at least she spent the last few days of her life playing in the mountains, swimming in the river and doing the things she loved the most. Fish Lake was the prettiest I had ever seen it that weekend. The colors were vibrant hues of yellow, green and red. Bill, Ron and I found a beautiful spot under some Aspens where we laid her to rest. I know it will be a beautiful resting spot for her in a place that means so much to our family, especially Bill. We loved Sierra and will always miss her sweet, gentle, playful, devoted, loving spirit that she was. Good-bye my good friend.