Calaebs Kindness

For those who have landed here by a social media share we are so glad you are here. Each post allows us to share our sweet boy with the world and to ensure his eternal flame never dims.

Calaebs Canines is an event created to honor our oldest son Calaebs life and legacy. We host this event annually the weekend of his birthday (July 4th) at the Lynchburg Humane Society.

This year our sweet boy will be 16, so to celebrate that we will cover the adoption fees for 16 dogs. We won't get to see him drive, a right of passage that being 16 brings. But we know he will be smiling down as each of those 16 dogs feels the wind blowing through their fur on the car ride home.

July 4th, 2006 we welcomed the sweetest 9lbs 4ounce ball of sunshine you ever did see. From that moment on our life was forever changed. Suddenly it was as if there was something missing from our lives all along. A love neither his dad nor I had ever known. There was a depth to his soul that was breathtakingly beautiful. It was a depth that allowed him to see into the hearts, hurts, and hopes of so many in the years to follow.

November 27th, 2020 our life was forever changed once again but this time in the most tragic and painful way as we lost our first born. And in many ways our identity. Who are we if not Calaebs parents. Parents to two beautiful boys.

 This 4th of July would have marked our sweet Calaebs 16th birthday, a milestone we had all anxiously awaited prior to his passing. It is the deepest desire of so many bereaved parents to continue the legacy of their child, to ensure that others speak their child's name aloud as the days, months, and years pass. We plead in our most desperate prayers for you to remember them the way we do. From those deepest desires, #CalaebsCanines was born. An opportunity to honor Calaeb on his birthday each year committed to continuing the work he started. 

Calaebs love for humans and animals alike was deep, inclusive, and passionate. He saw the marginalized and ostracized and made sure they knew they were seen, valued, and important. Simply put he always chose love. 

From his first best friend Ozzy who he rescued from a shelter to his sweet girl Sophie who knew all his secrets, to the German Shephard he wanted in pursuit of becoming a Navy Seal. He loved them all equally because as far as he was concerned they were in need of being loved and they mattered.

There is seldom celebration in the years that follow the loss of a child. This event allows us to celebrate his life and honor his passions and commitments of spreading love and kindness. We simply cannot do this alone. We need your support. Penzeys Spices has made a donation for 8 of our dogs, please consider helping us get to $1,400 to ensure that we can honor each year of Calaebs life through the adoption of the full 16 dogs.

For those looking for other ways to get involved:

1) A party is not a party without guests, so come out and celebrate with us on July 2nd at the Lynchburg Humane Society between 11-5. ‍‍‍

2) Share our Calaebs Canines event post to your social media pages, the more the merrier.

3) Consider adopting a fur friend on July 2nd. Best of all your adoption fees are covered! ‍

4) Bring supply donations for the shelter. (Dog food, cat food, toys, blankets, etc).

Whether you are on this journey with us or you just happened upon our story, thank you. Thank you for speaking his name aloud. 

 You Belong. You are Worthy. And you ARE LOVED.