A hooman-dog relationship is truly beautiful, and one that can last a lifetime. Whether you get your first dog as a child or later in life, you’ll always remember those first walks, the shared hugs, and the warmest kisses from your furry friend.
For Makenzie, that soul dog is Rafeal – a Golden Retriever who has been by her side since high school. The two have shared a wonderful thirteen years together in Florida, and even though he’s now a senior, their adventures are far from over!
He’s Momma’s Soul Dog
Photo Credit: makenziecann
The best thing about Makenzie and Raffi’s relationship is that they’ve grown together through almost all phases of life! This loyal Golden Retriever has been with his momma through high school, college, and her adult life, sharing endless memories.
When he finally turned thirteen, Raffi started to slow down. He could no longer go on walks the way he used to, and his days of jumping around the house and doing zoomies were behind him. But Makenzie had a brilliant idea!
Instead of leaving him at home to “enjoy his retirement,” this big-hearted dog mom decided to include Raffi in everything, just like always. She got him a nice, blue wagon in which she regularly takes him on daily walks and trips along with her other dog, Benny.
Photo Credit: makenziecann
This way, Raffi still enjoys Saturday morning market runs, afternoon coffee shop trips, dog bakery visits, and all the other things he loves so much! The best part? Benny loves it, too! Every time Makenzie prepares Raffi for a wagon trip, Benny gets so excited knowing his older brother is going on an adventure, too!
Besides the wagon, Makenzie also devised a convenient way to help Raffi get on the couch and bed safely. Couch and bed naps are Raffi’s favorite, but now that he’s older, he can’t climb up independently. That’s why his momma built him two ramps to help him get there easily. Slowly but surely, this smart boy figured out how to use them!
Although it was tough for Makenzie to see her Golden furball unable to do his favorite jumps, it was rewarding to help him in a new way. “The first time Raff successfully used the ramp, I got a little emotional,” Makenzie told The Dodo. “It is, in part, grieving. Change is hard, and watching someone you love age is hard, but we’re also celebrating that he has a way to get on the couch comfortably.”
Every Moment Together Is Cherished
Photo Credit: makenziecann
Knowing that Raffi is in the autumn of his life, Makenzie wants to make every moment memorable. In addition to enjoying their Florida home, they still love to sneak in occasional trips to the beach and watch the golden hour. During these precious moments, Makenzie had another creative idea she saw online – to make Raffi a real Picasso!
She sometimes uses a canvas, puts it in a Ziploc bag with paint on it, and then covers it with peanut butter. Raffi’s magical painting skills result in the sweetest artwork that Makenzie will treasure forever.
All of these activities take time and patience, but Makenzie is grateful for every second. Having Raffi by her side for this long is a gift, and she doesn’t want to miss a moment. After all, he’s her soul dog!
You can keep up with Makenzie, Raffi, and Benny’s daily adventures on their official Instagram!
