Memorial Page for Bergen Dog Owners Group  (BDOG)
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October 27th would have been Kayla's birthday she left us in 2019.  17 years now
this memorial page is a Tribute to Kayla - Rest In Peace - 10.27.2008 to 5.28.2019.

The Dog Park in Van Saun county park was built for her and her friends.

I led the effort to get that built and I did it for Kayla. It was opened on Sept 21,2013.
Kayla played a key role in helping me through one of the most difficult 7 years in my life.
​And the least I can do is remember her.

Bergen Dog Owners Group web site and facebook pages for BergenDog.org and The Dog Park at Van Saun lives on for her with thousands of members helping each other with dog issues.

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​Remembering our best friends forever  
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Remembering Kayla on Her Birthday – October 27th
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Today, we celebrate the life and spirit of Kayla, born on October 27, 2008—a beloved companion whose presence graced our lives until May 28, 2019. Though she left us physically, her memory continues to shine brightly in our hearts and in the work inspired by her legacy.

Kayla was more than a dog—she was family, a loyal friend, and a source of unconditional love. Her joyful energy, gentle soul, and unwavering companionship brought comfort and happiness every single day. She inspired The Dog Park @ Van Saun something I promised to do for her and the web site BergenDOG.org, a community built to honor her love for play, connection, and helping others—especially dogs in need.

On this special day, we remember her tail wags, her playful spirit, and the way she made every walk feel like an adventure. We honor her by continuing to advocate for dog adoption, exercise, and the joy that dogs bring into our lives.

Happy Heavenly Birthday, Kayla. You are missed deeply, loved endlessly, and remembered always.   Kayla also offers to all her friends a place to be memorialized on this site also. 

                                                                                   Bergen Dog Memorial Page​
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​The average lifespan of a Golden Retriever is typically 10 to 12 years. However, with excellent care, some Golden Retrievers have been known to live up to 15 years or more, and in rare cases, even 20 years.

Over the decades, the breed's life expectancy has declined—from around 16–17 years in the 1970s to today's average—largely due to genetic health issues and a high incidence of cancer, which is now the leading cause of death in Golden Retrievers. Studies suggest that up to 60% of Golden Retrievers may develop cancer in their lifetime.
Factors that can influence a Golden Retriever’s lifespan include:

• Genetics and responsible breeding
• Diet and nutrition
• Regular exercise
• Preventive veterinary care
• Avoiding exposure to toxins

​Kayla’s life from 2008 to 2019 fits within the average range, and her memory continues to inspire meaningful work like BergenDOG. If you’d like, I can help you create a visual tribute or timeline of her life to share tomorrow.

References
[1] goldenretrieversociety.com
[2] pettipsandtricks.com
[3] www.happypet.care

​Rainbow Bridge Remembrance Day is an important day for many pet owners who have lost a loved one,
​celebrated annually on August 28.

Friends

Kayla

​If you would like to send a photo of your dog friend who has passed and I will add it to Remembering our best friends forever slides. 
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Please email photo to [email protected] my best friend who passed May 2019.

​She was why I founded The Dog Park at Van Saun and ​Bergen Dog Owners Group

​ Books on Amazon about death of a pet.

​Dana - Sept. 2007 and passed away on Dec. 28, 2023

​Clara Sofia Ochoa Valencia In Loving Memory of Dana,

My Sweetest fur baby and crazy Beagle
It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since you left my side, Dana. The house still feels empty without the sound of your paws on the floor, without your gentle gaze or the way you’d nuzzle me for affection. Seventeen years! almost a lifetime—we shared together. You were more than just a dog; you were my fur baby, my constant companion, and my greatest source of joy.

I remember the first time I saw you, those soulful eyes, that eager little tail. From that moment, I knew you’d be by my side through everything. You grew up with me, and I with you, teaching me the kind of love that only a dog like you can offer. You were there for every happy moment and every sorrow. No matter the day, you always knew how to make me smile, to make everything feel okay again.

I loved the way you’d bark to ask for food or playtime, that unmistakable sound of excitement and joy that always made me laugh. It was like you were saying, “I’m ready! Let’s go!” Your little voice was a reminder that the simplest moments were the best moments. Whether it was dinnertime or just a game of fetch, your enthusiasm was infectious. I miss that, Dana. I miss the way you’d eagerly jump up, tail wagging furiously, as if every moment with me was an adventure.

I’ll never forget how you’d curl up next to me, your presence bringing peace in ways words never could. You were so loyal, so full of warmth, and I’ll forever carry the lessons you taught me: patience, joy in the simplest things, and the meaning of unconditional love.

I miss you, Dana. I miss the little things—the way you’d tilt your head when I’d speak to you, the sound of your snoring on the couch, your excitement when it was time for your walk. My heart still aches, but I find comfort in knowing you’re free now, running through fields somewhere with endless sunshine and no pain.
Thank you for being the best fur baby and companion I could have ever asked for. I’ll carry your memory with me always, my sweet beagle. You may not be here physically, but your spirit is forever a part of me.
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Until we meet again, my dear Dana. You’ll always have a place in my heart.

My first dog as a kid was Tipper a Beagle

Chauncey 

Chauncy Bartlett was a dog we bought in Wisconsin, moved back to NJ with her then had to give her away due to issues with our small boys

Kayla