Neala Burba

Our sweet Neala passed away unexpectedly, yet very peacefully and quick from natural causes, on our second day on vacation in her favorite spot, next to her favorite people in the Thousand Islands.

Neala was always in our family. She was a “Velcro dog” to the truest extent of that phrase. Originally she belonged to our beloved Grampy who has been gone for 6.5 years, and we took her in when he got ill. She was his sidekick and he taught her to always stay by him without a leash, play fetch, shake, etc. Neala wouldn’t even eat dinner until Grampy was done saying a prayer. They were two peas in a pod and he loved Neala wholeheartedly. Although her address changed, we were the ones who picked her out and gave her to Grampy. We were such a tight knit family that she knew no difference when she came with us permanently because she always loved John.

John became her person for the last 8 years. When he was gone, she would sit by the door and wait for him. She never, ever left his side. They went on car rides together, walks, gardened (Neala dug the holes!), swimming, etc.

Neala was the best dog ever. She was fiercely loyal and would growl at anyone who was messing with John playfully. She loved tennis balls, walks, jumping in the creek in Hart’s Woods, riding in the car, playing with plastic milk jugs kicked across the kitchen floor with Grampy, she didn’t mind any other animals and could actually care less about them- she just wanted John. She was so truly special to us. Our hearts are broken but we find peace that she lived an amazing life.

She leaves behind her companion and best friend, John, and the rest of her human family, Valerie, Brody, Gavin, Alyssa, Riley, and Barb. We know Grampy called her up to heaven and she is loving it up there with Grampy and granny.

“I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you; but instead I am deeply honoured knowing you spent the rest of your life with me.”
— Camille Marcotte