Our Story

Matisse came into our lives as an eight-week-old golden retriever with a heart that outgrew his paws. From the start, he was pure joy — quick to learn, quick to love, and quick to find mischief. Within a week he was ringing the outdoor bells to go potty, and before long he was convinced he was one of the cats. As a lanky pup still growing into his long legs, he’d try to perch on the back of the loveseat or squeeze into the window sill, just to be part of their world.

He was full of empathy, always tuned in to the emotions around him. If a friend cried, Matisse would quietly offer gentle kisses — his way of saying, “You’re not alone.” He carried that sensitivity throughout his life, comforting us through our hardest days and reminding everyone who met him that kindness comes in many forms — sometimes with fur and a tail.

But Matisse was also a master comedian. When we played badminton, he’d leap into the air to steal the shuttlecock before it crossed the net. During cornhole games, he’d snatch the beanbags, give them a good slobber, and proudly drop them back for us to use. In his later years, when we played ping pong, he’d bark at just the right moment to make us miss the ball — and looked immensely satisfied when we did.

He had a talent for turning ordinary moments into laughter, and we nicknamed him the Branch Manager because of his love for breaking sticks into splinters with such enthusiasm. Matisse grew into a beautiful 95-pound golden with a big smile and an even bigger heart. He loved hiking, swimming holes, and meeting neighbors on his walks — so much so that we became known simply as Matisse’s parents. He made friends with every person and dog he met, and each holiday he’d pose in festive scarves or hats for photo shoots with his canine buddies.

Even in his senior years, after recovering from knee surgery, Matisse never lost his spark. He remained the same joyful soul who loved people, laughter, and life itself. When he passed at sixteen, he left behind not just memories — but a lesson in unconditional love, joy, and empathy.

The Heart of Matisse carries forward his spirit by helping animals in need, spreading kindness, and finding joy in every wag, smile, and silly moment along the way — just as Matisse always did.

- Andre & Jennifer LaFollette