Memorial

Keta entered this world as a puppy in March 2016 near Butte, MT, where Elizabeth rescued him from a shelter and together they cultivated a life of action and adventure that would be the envy of most humans. For the next 8 years, he was the large furry friend that always traveled by her side. Keta loved love, all 70-plus pounds of him. He gave full body tail wags to all his friends, always showing his excitement for companionship. He made human friends easily and made everyone feel like they were the most important person in the world. One exemplary memory is when running down from the Juneau Ridge, Keta saw a group of hikers in the distance, each sitting on top of a different glacial erratic. He ran from rock to rock to greet each person individually, saying hello and sharing his love and enthusiasm. Snow sports were a passion for Keta. He trotted up mountains across Alaska following in the skin track of his human pals, salivating at the deep pow. As the skiers reached the ridges and summits and began to rip their skins off their skis, Keta would get visibly and vocally amped, excitement growing before he took off and ran full throttle downhill through powder to catch his ski buddies at the bottom of the run, always ready for another lap. Sandy Beach in Juneau was a favorite destination for Keta. He spent many mornings chasing tennis balls there, especially loving low tide when the beach was wide open for sprinting (and rolling in the occasional salmon carcass). He would often tread into the ocean, just deep enough not to get his enormous sternum too wet, where he would drop the ball into the water and paw at it on the surface. Swimming was not his strong suit, but the dude loved to wade. Keta had a number of close dog friends, especially Stella, Cyrus, and Holly. When they played, he would instigate his preferred game of chase by barking in their faces until they relented and joined in the fun. Keta infused the lives of his friends with joy and zest on the trail, and with a sense of hospitality akin to that of his favorite human, he easily shared his pillows at home, making all feel welcome Most of all, Keta loved to run, especially in the mountains alongside his most beloved companion, Elizabeth. Together, they logged thousands of miles in the mountains of Montana, Southeast, and Southcentral Alaska, enjoying some of the most scenic trail runs in the world. Big days were their strong suit, and when they were together in the mountains, they shared a sense of peace and awe that’s uncommon in this life. At the end of a long run, Keta would intently make circles on his dog bed until he deemed it comfortable enough to drop into a deep slumber and snore away into the night. In the morning, he was always up before his humans, greeting them with that big wagging tail. One of the greatest attributes Keta possessed was being a true spirit of the present moment. He didn’t know the pains of regret and had no worries for the future. Every day was fuller, fresher, and more alive in the now because of Keta, a gift he constantly bestowed upon his companions. On March 31, 2024, Keta left this world far too soon. He is survived by his humans, Elizabeth, Matt, and Sylvie, and an endless cadre of people and dogs whose hearts he warmed with his abundant love. We have no doubt that he is still shedding copious amounts of fur and devouring bowls of kibble in the great beyond, greeting all those he sees with a vigorous wag of his mighty tail. We love and miss you, Dear Keta. You were our best friend and steadfast teacher.

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