Bindi Carpenter Barrett
Sunrise 9/13/2010 – Sunset 8/25/2022
Our dear sweet Christmas puppy - Bindi girl padded into our lives December 2010 with her sweet little paws that grew into huge prints that are indelibly in our hearts.
She was chosen from the start. Being a puppy who had amazing eyes that would lock onto you and never let go, Vickie at Liberty Labradoodles knew she would be a perfect therapy dog. She was chosen because of her unwavering deep soul filled eyes, her hypoallergenic hair and being a miniature labradoodle, she was small enough to not overwhelm the grieving families visiting A Sacred Moment to make arrangements for their human loved ones who had died.
When Char & George reached out to her trainer Florence (The Tailwagger’s Club) and she learned Bindi was already 12 weeks old she knew we needed to immediately go into intensive training mode. It was then we learned that dogs after 16 weeks will start to lose the deep embedded training that will last a lifetime. It was the best advice we could’ve ever been given. Bindi was so well trained, mannered, smart, and in total control of all of us - in the best way – she was a natural comfort therapy dog. She knew immediately when to greet a grieving family at the door or when to go back into her mama‘s office because it was someone not comfortable with her kind.
With her early puppy training and later extensive training as a certified comfort dog she was bringing her gift of unconditional love and snuggles to everyone she met. Once she was a year old, our now full-grown pup, became certified to come into the office, travel with Char to hospice conferences in Chelan, WA and in the summertime volunteer with Char at Camp Erin to help support grieving kids.
Bindi had her own fan club. Families that were served by A Sacred Moment would come back occasionally with treat in hand to say hello to Bindi and then to greet the rest of the staff! We were chopped liver, compared to Bindi, and that was fine with us! Bindi made friends wherever she roamed in every neighborhood she lived be it in Redmond, Kenmore, Everett, Seattle or Kirkland all the neighbors knew and loved this precocious confident friendly lovable pup. They even occasionally helped to guide her home when her naturally curious and friendly nature led her too far away. One summer weekend Bindi decided to roam her Seattle neighborhood (without her collar) and was gone a little too long. Two young neighbor girls didn’t know where she lived which led her to a car ride to Lynnwood PAWS. Thanks to her microchip, PAWS called a frantic Char and Sharon, who had been searching for her for a couple hours already! Char learned her lesson and made sure she never went out without her “underwear” (AKA collar) after that!
There are so many memories of Bindi and how she found her way into our lives, it’s hard to capture them all. Our snow puppy who came back encrusted in a suit of snow clinging to her soft curly hair after a winter romp running and playing and having the time of her life. The countless trips to the Holman beach house in Iron Springs, WA and beach ball tosses, coming back up the hill climb with her muddy, sandy face and body to then be hosed off before she was allowed back in the house. After a day of romping in the waves and chasing the birds, Bindi would curl up on the sofa in front of the fire and dream of her ball tossed, again and again. She even traveled by plane, flying back to Michigan to celebrate Jackie‘s 90th birthday with the entire family and brought her affable loving charm along with her. Jackie loved Bindi so much. Of all the experiences and miles traveled what she loved most of all was just being with her peeps. She loved nothing more than when friends were gathered around sharing in a meal, laughing, telling stories and she was in the center of it all. It was even better when gifts were involved because that meant tissue paper. Her biggest gift ever was being able to tear the sheets of tissue to shreds bit by bit. She was in sheer joy in those moments!
Bindi‘s canine friends could sometimes be just that, friends, and many times they were her foes or her competition, depending on her mood! From her puppy days playing with Zoe, Ian and Stephanie‘s golden retriever, to being like a rabbit running from Sammy and Melly as they raced around the Srb’s backyard, to her romping walks as Sharon and Lance’s Nemo could barely keep up on the trails of Carkeek Park. She would also tolerate occasional visits from Christina’s Franklin as she reluctantly shared her backyard. She gladly shared her snarly grins with Dan’s Stella who she would love to compete with for attention and treats! Bindi wasn’t much for cats either, as a matter of fact they were all her nemesis, especially Luna! Often while visiting with Sharon and Lance, Luna would strategically plant herself in just the right spot to taunt Bindi into childish whimpers and whines, so afraid of little Luna she could barely contain herself! No, Bindi was not a dog’s dog, she was a people dog, as a matter of fact, we’re convinced Bindi was part human. But she was wiser and smarter than any human, she knew exactly where to be and when, especially during heartfelt and difficult moments when she was needed most.
In her later, most recent, years she became so comfortable in her home with her fellow “older females”, she loved every moment being part of the sacred circle. Bindi was happy whether at home with her mama or on regular visits to Kirkland with her dad. As her heart grew and grew her little body couldn’t contain it, or her spirit much longer. As vet visits, multiple medicines, x-rays and blood tests became more regular then walks and ball tosses, she knew the time was coming closer and closer. And although none of us wanted to admit it to ourselves we knew the distance between her, and the Rainbow Bridge was growing shorter and shorter. While we selfishly wanted to keep her longer, we also knew the humane and most courageous act of love we could give her, was to say our goodbyes and help her cross that bridge alone.
The promise we trust in is that while she crossed the Rainbow Bridge alone, she has so many four-legged friends waiting for her on the other side. Willie and Sammy, Nemo, Blitz and Millie, Zoe, Sadie, Biscuit, Carmel and Maddie, and yes, even Luna (who I’m sure promises to be nice) will all be waiting for Bindi to show her around. With all the beautiful fields and trails ready for running, balls and squirrels to be chased and stuffed toys and blankets to romp with until she snuggles down with them each night, her days and nights will continue to be filled with love and joy. Most of all she will be led to the endless fields and mounds of Greenies to eat until her heart‘s delight!
Goodbye for now our beloved Bindi because we know we will see you again someday.
DEEPEST GRATITUDE
Our heartfelt thanks go out to all those friends, families, neighbors, colleagues and staff of A Sacred Moment, past and present, that made Bindi’s life and end of life so rich and full of meaning.