I adopted Taylor on Mother's Day, May 12th, 1998 from the Laguna beach animal shelter. He was (2) yrs old at the time. My girlfriend Irene told me about this beautiful golden retriever I needed to see at the shelter. At the time I had one other golden retriever, Baylee who then, was 6yrs old. I had not planned to get another dog, however, wanted to check out this dog for someone else. One look was all it took. I told Taylor; "This is your last home and I'll be with you til the end".
Taylor was a "hunter vs ball driven retriever". When I first visited him at the shelter I tried to engage him with a tennis ball. He had no clue how to retrieve. I just thought he was anxious being at the shelter. Not so .... Taylor wanted nothing to do with fetching balls, instead, he rather chase bunnies, squirrels... anything that moved on its own he could chase. I taught him to "be nice to the bunnies" which he did but with reservation.
Taylor took immediately to Baylee and the two became best buddies. Constantly playing, running together at the school yard fields or beach, sharing frosty paws ice cream & recruiting Baylee to join him in getting into trouble together. I've never seen a more dedicated dog give tremendous hospice care and love to another dog, as Taylor gave to Baylee. This picture of them together says it all.
Taylor was my "spirited dog". One evening while out to dinner, returned home to find a sea of candy wrappers on the living room floor. Apparently, Taylor aka "Houdini & Olympic sprinter", jumped over the baby gate into the kitchen, jumped up on the counter, retrieved several Halloween chocolate candy bags, placed far back out of reach (so we thought), and brought them into the living room (1 bag at a time!!) to share with his brother. Immediately, we brought them down to urgent care to have their stomach's pumped.
Taylor lost his best friend Baylee to osteosarcoma 5yrs ago, which devastated him. He literally went into a depression grieving for Baylee. I rescued a dog from the golden retriever rescue league and selected "Sammy". It took awhile for Taylor to bond. When he figured out Sammy wasn't leaving anytime soon and giving me the "Is this dog still here look", they started bonding and romping together.
Over the years Taylor made several friends, but one very, very special girlfriend & love of his life; "Chelsea". Taylor met Chelsea when she was only 1 yrs old. He was 6yrs old at the time. From that day forward, Chelsea & Taylor were matched for life. Taylor was a perfect gentlemen. Chelsea not only would have her marrow bone to chew on, but she would walk over to Taylor and politely steal his as well and walk back to her spot with both marrow bones. Taylor would lay there and let his girlfriend take his bone without any resistance.
I'm so grateful Taylor trusted me enough to allow me to bring him home to share his life with us. He was an exceptional dog I have ever known and loved. Insanely loyal, loving, funny, unbelievably intelligent, sweetest disposition, and an incredible will to live. Dr. Doug Coward would tell me all the time; "Taylor's health is incredible with great lab test results, no hip dysplasia, clear eyes, and a dog who clearly had nine lives". Taylor's vigor for life was the culprit of dodging and recovering from several health scares; spleen tumor, laryngeal (tie back) throat & palate surgery,.... even living through raw wild salmon poisoning.....all of which he survived!
Evening of Sept 18, 2010 he started to decline. He had reached the ripe old age of 14yrs. It happened all of a sudden. I knew the life he once loved was over. I comforted & layed beside Taylor through out the evening. It was the longest evening of my life. I spent that entire night calling vets & animal hospitals to see who would be able to come out to my house that following morning on a Sunday, with no luck. Our vet Dr Coward during this time, was out of town but always available by phone & guidance. My other vet we love & adore;
Dr. Susan Davis told me about this wonderful Vet who has dedicated her practice now only to home pet euthanasia - Dr. Anne Forslund. Dr. Davis told me everyone she referred Dr. Forslund to, had spoken so highly of her.
Morning of Sept 19th, I physically carried Taylor outside to our backyard. The weather that day was gorgeous. I was an emotional mess not knowing who would be able to come out on a Sunday. I didn't have the strength to carry Taylor into a car myself & wanted him to pass on peacefully at home, not in an animal hospital. I called Dr. Forslund whom I was so grateful to for answering her phone on a Sunday morning, explained my situation and broke down. Dr. Forslund told me to take as long as I needed to let her know when I was ready, she would be there to help Taylor & I. 
With all my previous dogs that were euthanized in my arms, I have never ever felt any of them pass on as peacefully as Taylor did. Dr. Forslund was my guardian angel (and Taylor's) that day (not to mention my friend Nadine, who was by my side the whole time). Dr. Forslund calmed me down speaking kind words about Taylor and what needed to happen to get me to a better closure and state of mind. Incredibly patient and truly loving to our animal's welfare, she gave me all the time I needed with ever feeling rushed.
Taylor and I reminisced about our lives together.... all the things he would do to make me laugh, smile and love him. I told Taylor how PROUD I was of him and THANKED him for being part of my life. Fighting through all his health obstacles just to stay with me longer. I told him it was ok to leave, he didn't have to take care of me anymore, that I would be ok and would see him and Baylee one day in heaven. I sang all the songs I created for Taylor softly into his ear as he peacefully drifted into heaven.
Heartfelt thanks to all of Taylor’s vets and surgeons; Dr. Doug Coward, Dr. Susan Davis & Dr. Tony Cambridge as well as those who have enriched his life and loved him. Taylor was unique and one of a kind soul with the utmost gentle and trusting disposition. I have never had a dog who has loved me as deeply as Taylor. I believe rescue dogs (especially who have lived in 3 separate homes) know when they will be with their last owner, give significant love and loyalty to that owner.
Thank you Dr. Forslund for your sincere compassion and providing such a nurturing and loving departure for Taylor. For truly caring about my welfare by checking in with me several times to see how I was doing, along with your invitation to call if I ever needed to. A true act of unselfish love and kindness which is commendable. I know Taylor can rest well in heaven knowing you were there for me.
Cynthia Phillips
Laguna Niguel