Taylor Young

(a/k/a Taylor Toes, Tater-tot, Boo Boo)
January 5, 1996 - March 3, 2008
Eulogy by Taylor's Daddy, David Young who also provided the wonderful pictures.)

Taylor, a face-kissing, lover boy of a cocker spaniel, passed peacefully from his earthly existence following a hard-fought battle with canine malignant melanoma. He died at home surrounded by his family and friends, including his favorite doctor and veterinary technician. Taylor had been part of a melanoma vaccine study at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine since October, 2007.

Having been an only child for most of his life, Taylor reluctantly became a member of a three dog and one cat household in 2005. Occasionally he would engage in play with his canine brothers, Buster and Bruiser, but most of the time, played the part of referee, blowing the whistle when things got too rowdy. He made great progress in learning to live with a cat. Early in his life, he was exposed on occasion to his feline cousins Kaylar and Ozone when they visited his Grandma. Living with one, however took some getting used to. By the end, Taylor and Toby had grown their relationship to a level of tolerance and respect. If you asked Taylor though, he'd tell you that he wasn't a dog and that his favorite companions were of the two-legged variety.

Taylor loved his Daddy. If Daddy was out of sight, Taylor had to go to be wherever he was. When Daddy would go out of town, he'd sit at home or at Grandma's and watch the door most of the time, anxiously awaiting his return. Oddly enough, if ever Taylor would get upset and disagree with someone, it was with his dad. One such disagreement resulted in Daddy getting a tetanus shot and Taylor under house-arrest. His next favorite humans were his Grandma and his Uncle Brian. Going to see Grandma was always an exciting event. Just the mention of her name was enough to induce uncontrollable panting, singing and nubby-tail wagging. There was always a special treat waiting at her house. Taylor and his Uncle Brian had a special relationship, too. Uncle Brian was the one Taylor turned to when he didn't particularly agree with what his dad was doing...like giving him baths, giving him medicine, giving him a haircut, brushing his teeth, etc.

Taylor enjoyed the simple pleasures in life. He loved to sing, go for rides, go for walks, chew on sticks, shred discarded wrapping paper, sit at the window and watch the world go by, hunt lizards and frogs, help Grandma feed the birds, and chase flashlights and laser pointers. Most of all, he loved to make his favorite humans happy. Even when he wasn't feeling well, he always got excited about going to see or being visited by the people whom he loved and who loved him.

The last months of Taylor's life were filled with new experiences like surgery, monthly trips to Gainesville for doctor visits, shots, X-rays, blood tests, even an echocardiogram, an overnight motel stay, weekly visits with Dr. Tera, chicken nuggets when Grandma picked him up, special diets, some home cooked, daily pills and other medications, ace bandage wraps and immobilizing collars, and lots and lots of special attention.

Taylor held on as long as he could; worrying perhaps about leaving his family behind. The day he died was a beautiful, early spring day. His two- and four-legged family members gathered close. When Dr. Tera and Shannon arrived, a breeze began to blow as if preparing to carry his spirit away. Following his death, Taylor made one final trip to Gainesville, this time to teach the doctors and students about everything he'd experienced during his fight with cancer. This will be his legacy; otherwise his suffering and death would have been in vain.

Taylor leaves behind his Daddy, David Young, his Grandma Phyllis Young, his Uncle Brian Causseaux, his Aunt Beth and Uncle Glenn Ferguson, his extended family, his brothers, Buster, Bruiser, and Toby, his cousin Sarah, and a host of wonderful friends. With very little effort, he left big paw prints on the hearts of many. To experience the way one of God's creatures can have such an impact on a life is truly a gift and totally awe-inspiring.

Taylor's family extends heartfelt gratitude to everyone at Winter Animal Hospital and the UF Small Animal Clinic for their loving care, compassion, comfort and support during his final months and following his death.

I love my Taylor, yes I do,
love him, love him, love him true.
He's my Taylor, he's my boy,
he's my little pride and joy.

Goodnight Taylor, love you sweatheart!

(Poem David used to whisper to Taylor when he would say goodnight.)

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