Fiona

Fiona (2011).

With great sadness, we announce the passing of our beautiful girl Fiona from advanced kidney disease on Tuesday, January 13th, 2026, days after her 16th birthday. 

Loving. 

Adventurous. 

Perceptive. 

Beautiful.

Fiona was truly a unique and impressive pup as well as a valued member of our family. We miss her terribly.

In 2010, roughly a year after Higgins joined our family, we began to look for what we described as a playmate for him. In the summer we met Riley, a six-month-old jet-black pup with piercing eyes and floppy ears the size of her head. The hair on her right leg was shaved after surgery to insert a pin to repair a fracture. Someone in Riley’s former home sat on her, breaking her leg. She was then taken to a vet to be euthanized. Thankfully the vet refused, taking custody of Riley instead, and she eventually ended up at the Mid-Ohio Animal Welfare League (MAWL) in Mansfield, which is where we met. 

Immediately taken by her beauty and loving disposition (as well as her uncanny ability to keep Higgins in line from the outset), it was an easy decision that Riley was the missing piece in our family. We renamed her Fiona, after the main character in one of Leeta’s favorite fairytales, The Secret of Roan Inish. In the story, a young Fiona moves to a small island off the Ireland coast and learns that members of her family are selkies; human while on land and seals in the water. When our Fiona got wet, she resembled a selkie - and barked like one too.

And what a stunner. Foney was gorgeous. She aged well. As her jet-black fur began to gray, it got wavier and more windswept. Not to mention her beautiful bangs. People would pay good money to have a hairstyle like Foney’s. And her eyes… deep brown, almost black, soulful eyes… 

Fiona led a very fun and active life. She liked to be on the move. Whether patrolling the yard overnight during family campouts, hiking through a forest - once mistaken by hiker for a little black bear deep in the woods of the UP - or walks through the neighborhood ravine, Foney was a natural explorer. Going on a walk with her was more like a sprint. Foney loved to run with never a hint of an issue from her leg injury. Her default setting was faster. Eventually we began to walk Higgins separately because he couldn’t come close to matching Foney’s pace. She preferred to walk off leash, and while it could be difficult for her humans to keep up, Foney never wandered too far ahead, always pausing to look back as if to ask, “Are you coming?” She rarely cried, except when in the car and we weren’t driving fast enough.

Foney maintained a puppy-level of energy right up until the end. While on a trail in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula Foney ran up and down a steep cliff alongside a waterfall. Her agility greatly impressed a pair of hikers. We proudly told them she was 14 at the time.

Foney enjoyed quieter moments as well. When not on the move you could usually find her perched on the back of the couch or looking out the front window. She was an observer. Constantly watching, often from a distance. Not the cuddliest of pups. Foney would become a wiggle worm when hugged, although she was always happy to be with her family.

Higgins passing in 2024 greatly affected us. While we grieved, we leaned on Foney quite a bit for support. Being roughly the same age as Higs, we decided that we would make the most of whatever time she may have left. Foney had a helluva 2025. Lots of adventures including a cross country roadtrip from Ohio to Colorado, adding six states to her travelogue. From camping in the New Mexico desert to hiking in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, Foney racked up quite a few new experiences. We all ate a lot of French fries and ice cream on that trip. And not many weeks went by without a hike around Ohio and roadtrips to Detroit, Pittsburgh, and Cleveland (where Foney stole a whole chili dog out of our hands). We also started biking with Foney in a backpack, which she loved. Right up until the end Foney maintained her go go go attitude. 

Around the holidays Foney’s health started to decline. On her birthday, we made one last trip to Dairy Queen, an annual tradition. After a few hard days, she passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side. 

While we are heartbroken at her passing, we feel eternally grateful to have been graced with Fiona’s presence for over 15 years. Not every family gets that lucky. Having her last year be one full of adventure brings us a lot of joy. We made a lot of new memories to look back on fondly. 

We’re grateful to our community of friends and family that spent time with Foney over years. She loved and appreciated you all.

Thank you to the Mid-Ohio Animal Welfare League (MAWL) for saving our girl’s life all those years ago. 

Nancy, thank you for being an excellent neighbor and friend. Foney adored her Aunt Nanny.

Thank you to Dr. Horne, Dr. Weber, Drs. Monfort, and the staff at Clintonville Animal Hospital for 15+ years of exceptional care. Foney making it to 16 is in part thanks to all of you.

A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Nellie Wilbers of Lap of Love for making Fiona’s transition as peaceful as possible. 

Our thoughts are with all who have loved ones that have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. 

Love to all.