Wilson

2012 - 2026

Our Boy Wilson

We brought home Wilson on January 20, 2013, after finding an online ad for puppies rescued after being abandoned on a farm in Indiana. What we brought home that day was a level of chaos and energy that never turned off—until his final breath on January 27, 2026.

Wilson, like all dogs do for their people, showed us what unconditional love truly means. As humans, we live our lives in chapters: from infancy to childhood, middle school to high school, college to adulthood. Along the way we meet new people, take on new experiences, accomplish milestones, get married, and start families. Dogs experience none of this. Their entire life is us. We are all they know. Every day they are with us, we are their whole world. Unlike people, dogs never judge us. They share our ups and downs, our happiness and our pain—and through it all, they love us exactly the same.

Wilson was a lab mix—part chocolate lab and part working dog (either Australian Cattle Dog or Australian Shepherd). His name was inspired by the movie Cast Away and Tom Hanks’s companion on the deserted island. Like the working dogs he descended from, Wilson lived up to his purpose. He was the shepherd, and our family was his flock. In his youth, he herded us daily, gently nudging us to where he wanted us to go. He was a true Velcro dog: affectionate, loyal, and happiest when he wasn’t alone. His greatest joy was when everyone was home and accounted for, when he could find a couch to lie on and snuggle next to one of us—always making sure he was touching someone.

Though small in stature, his bark was deep, and he took his job as protector seriously. Wilson monitored all activity, inside and out. No mailman, UPS driver, or Amazon delivery person escaped his alertness—his watch never ended. He would not rest until every family member was home. Only then could he close his eyes and relax.

To our beautiful boy Wilson: thank you for everything. As a son, brother, and friend, you were the ultimate companion. You were dearly loved, and in return you gave us your unwavering, unconditional love. You were the guardian of the family, never taking a day off. We are grateful to have had you in our lives for 13 wonderful years. As you took your last breaths, you were surrounded by those who loved you, and you passed peacefully in the arms of your family.

As you cross the Rainbow Bridge, know that you will always be loved by us. Thank you for being such a good boy, and thank you for loving us the way that you did.

Job well done young man. You can now rest easily.

Goodbye, sweet boy.

Mom, Dad, Natalia, Isabella and Ava