May 2024 Update: Ayla is in the forever now. Ayla’s cancer did end up metastasizing after 5 rounds of chemo and the amputation. She lived another 13 month after her amputation and I have no regrets about the treatment we gave her. Ayla helped raise her brother Atlas until 12 months old. Ayla crossed on November 21st, 2022. Atlas and I were in the room when she passed. I was holding Ayla in my arms when she passed and was looking into her eyes when the light went out. I still say Ayla’s name every day. And people all over the world ask me about her even today.

I was told Ayla’s time was short on November 14th 2022. I put a public notice out to everyone who knew her. Ayla had hundreds of people visit her in her last week. She and I received gifts from all over the world. People who never met Ayla knew how special she was. We only got another week together.

On the day, I put Ayla down Atlas and I walked her up to a spot we had run to hundreds of times over the years to watch the sunrise over Rochester. An hour later I called the vet to schedule her departure. She spent the whole day with me at my office watching dog movies on the projector with Atlas and myself. At 4PM my mother drove us the the vet in Zumbrota while I laid with Ayla in the backseat with her favorite music playing. At 5PM Ayla crossed into the forever while Atlas and I were with her. We were listening to her song: Sedona by Houndsmouth as she looked into my eyes and crossed the rainbow bridge. I still listen to that song and think of my girl all the time.

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Ayla was diagnosed with an aggressive soft-tissue sarcoma on August 16th, 2021. She was at the time a 6 year old Alaskan Malamute dog. This is a breakdown of our trips out West and East after the diagnosis and her current status/recovery.

On October 13th, 2021 we had to have her front right leg amputated to stop the spread. She was doing well adapting to being on three legs, but is still in her first couple treatments of chemotherapy .

I got Ayla at 9 weeks old after a gentleman in the cities determined that he was unable to care for her. Didn’t know was getting a malamute until I did, but she has been one of the most wonderful parts of life since.

Ayla has been trained as a Therapy Dog: visiting local nursing homes, memory care units, and children prior to the pandemic shutting those things down. She has her CGC (Canine Good Citizen), has been featured in multiple local Rochester area news sources over the years, and just loves visiting with people.

A week after Ayla’s diagnosis I prepped my team that I would be taking 9 days to work remotely while traveling to the West Coast as an “Appreciation Tour” with just Ayla and myself. We left Tuesday August 24th, 2021. Later, the week before Ayla’s operation, I took her on another 7 day road trip out to the East Coast, leaving Tuesday October 5th, 2021 and returning a few days before the procedure.

Along the way back we picked up Atlas, an Alaskan Malamute puppy – to join our family. I named him Atlas after the Greek Titan who held up the Celestial Skies. Ayla was named after another goddess of the Moon. It seemed a fitting name as Atlas could hold Ayla up after her surgery both physically and emotionally.

If you would like to learn about our trips, see some of the photos, and some of the updates from the operation just keep reading. I put this together for the people who watched the trips online, as an “In Memory” piece for Ayla, and so that in the future I have something to look back at.

Wish could include all of the photos/videos of the many dogs Ayla made friends with, all the wonderful people who stopped to meet her, and all the stops along the way. In the end there is plenty here to see for the highlights. If you take the time to continue reading, hope you enjoy it and can see how special Ayla really is.

Trip to West Coast (August 24th – September 1st)

We started going through the Twin Cities. Stopping for coffee at what as rated “The Most Pet Friendly Coffee Shop” in Minneapolis – In the Loop Coffee – where Ayla got a “Pup Cup” treat.

From there we went to visit the Minnesota State Capital where Ayla got lots of pets from staff and locals.

We also made a stop at Woody’s Pet Food Deli in Woodbury, MN to pick up Ayla 25LBs of raw food to cover the whole trip. Ayla has been raw fed most of her life, so needed to bring a kooler along with.

We spent our first night in Bismarck, North Dakota where Ayla got to spend her first night in a hotel room Suite.

Along our trip we were able to find many additional attractions and places to stop. Thanks to the “Bring Fido” App it was easy to find places that were pet friendly – restaurants, dog parks, trails, national parks, and even hotel lodgings that allowed dogs.

One of the places that we found on our way through North Dakota was Theodore Roosevelt National Park. We stopped there for an afternoon for Ayla to get some exercise, get plenty of pets from other travelers, and even got her a “Teddy” bear souvenir.

As we made our way through North Dakota and a good portion of Montana I took Ayla camping.

Using Air B&B we found a great place South of Billings, MT near Yellow Stone National Park where we could stay in a Tipi overnight..

We made our way through Idaho – which was a gorgeous drive by the way – and stopped for dinner at The Fainting Goat in Wallace, ID where Ayla got a lot of attention, pets, and an ice cream snack from the staff.

The next evening we made it up to Northern Washington to visit my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew for supper.

The next morning we drove to Mount Baker – an ACTIVE Volcano! Ayla was in good spirits that day and was able to do 4 miles of walking on the trails, getting plenty of pets, and even finding time to play in the snow!

Tired after our stop at Mount Baker – my second favorite stop of the trip by the way – that afternoon we made a long trek through Seattle, Washington and Portland, Oregon where we stopped at dog parks along the way.

That night we made our way to the Pacific Ocean. It was going to be too dark by the time we arrived so we stopped at a Sunflower Maze along the interstate where Ayla got to run around, play, and even got a Sunflower to take with.

That night we stayed at the Agate Inn. After all of the traveling the day before – over 8 hours on the road! The next morning we ordered breakfast in bed.

From there we drove to Lincoln City, Oregon and stopped at Roads End in Lincoln City, OR to let Ayla play and swim in the Pacific Ocean. This was my favorite stop of the trip. We spent three hours at the beach and Ayla just kept diving into the Ocean. She seemed to be having the time of her life there. Got many photos and videos but cannot share them all here.

Ayla was exhausted after playing at the Pacific so started the drive home – making it over four hours on the road before finding Multnomah Falls – one of Oregons longest waterfalls along the road . Ayla got plenty of attention from other travelers.

The next day we made our way through Idaho. Along the way we stopped at Shoshone Falls Park in Twin Falls Idaho. Shoshone Falls is often called “The Niagra of the West”.

We made our way through Salt Lake City, Utah – stopping at a couple pet friendly restaurants, dog parks, before getting ready to track through Wyoming and to North Dakota.

We stopped at Mount Rushmore in South Dakota – which apparently isn’t pet friendly so we had to stop just outside the park. We were still able to get a photo in front of the monument even if not as close as wished.

We made it through Wyoming and most of South Dakota spending the night at what I’d say was the best hotel of the trip: ClubHouse Hotel & Suites in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The suite had a door to a courtyard where Ayla could lay outside.

That afternoon we made it back to Rochester. Ayla knew exactly where we were when we got home as she was howling for two excited minutes as we entered the city.

Between Trips (September 2nd – October 4th)

Ayla’s amputation was scheduled for Wednesday, October 13th. During the proceeding month we had learned more about the type of cancer and how aggressive.

After visiting with four different veterinarians, an oncologist, and surgeon specialist the final diagnosis was that the cancer appeared to only be around the front right knee joint, but that it had a 50% chance of metastasis. An amputation of her front right leg was the best course of action to stop the spread, followed by five rounds of preventive chemotherapy which is currently ongoing. (Last updated November 9th, 2021)

Although the mass around Ayla’s leg had gotten larger, thanks to some good medication she was still active going on walks, playing, going to the Rochester dog parks: West River Road Dog Park and Jean and Carl Frank Dog Park, and attending Leashes and Leads play care in Byron.

She also kept up with her duties as my real estate mascot while helping to market homes for sale and attending closings with clients as they bought and sold houses with us.

During this time we visited many of our favorite trails and parks around the Rochester area: Cascade Lake Park, Quarry Hill Nature Center, and Douglas Trails. We also made many stops around local offices visiting affiliates and getting Ayla all of the attention she is used to.

We made a couple trips to my favorite local day trip down to where I went to undergraduate at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. While visiting we went to some favorite trails and parks: Dunning Springs and Ice Cave, Palisades, and Phelps Parks. Also visiting Luther College and stopping at the Whippy Dip for ice cream.

Trip to East Coast (October 5th-October 11th)

Had a final walkthrough for a client the morning we left, so packed up everything the night before. We crossed the Mississippi River at La Crosse into Wisconsin where let Ayla stretch her legs a the local dog park.

Stopped at Warner Park in Madison, WI for another dog park and dinner before making it down to Chicago where we stayed overnight at the Talbot Hotel. Loved this hotel! It was right in downtown Chicago, a short 1.3 mile walk to the Navy Pier, and there was even a dog park 2 blocks walk from the hotel – in downtown Chicago!

This was my second favorite stop of the trip. We spent the morning walking Navy Pier, playing with other dogs at Milton Lee Olive Park, and getting lots of photos with the Chicago skyline.

From there we traveled through Indiana and Ohio stopping for dinner in Cleveland, OH before making it to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. We spent the night at Drury Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown. The following morning we walked down to Point State Park near Heinz Field.

That afternoon we made it to the United States Capital in Washington DC.

We visited the Capital Building,

the Washington Monument,

went out front of The White House,

and Ayla got plenty of pets out front of the Lincoln Memorial.

That evening we made it down to Virginia Beach, VA and stayed in at The Founders Inn and Spa, Tapestry Collection By Hilton – my favorite hotel I’ve ever stayed at. There were bits of history all over, fountains, and even an ongoing dog competition for Corgis the night we stayed.

The next morning went to First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach VA where we hiked trails,

And Ayla went swimming in the Atlantic Ocean.

Getting Atlas

Atlas was born two days after Ayla’s diagnosis.

I reached out to the breeder Kalamals Alaskan Malamutes in Virginia the day after Ayla’s diagnosis was confirmed.

We picked him up and took him home the morning of Saturday October 9th, 2021.

Ayla didn’t know what to think at first.

But they warmed up quickly.

That evening we took Atlas on his first ever walk in Nashville, Tennessee at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.

We spent the night at Candlewood Suites in Paducah, Kentucky where Atlas did a great job of keeping quiet during the stay and got plenty of love and attention from the staff. Both dogs were exhausted after the day.

The last day we passed through Iowa City, Iowa to visit with my college best friend for Atlas’s first dining out experience.

Both Ayla and Atlas were getting along by the time we got home.

Ayla’s Opperation

When we got home we only had one day left before Ayla’s operation. Took both dogs to Five West that evening for dinner.

On the morning of Wednesday October 13th I took Ayla for her last walk on four legs around Cascade Loop at Cascade Lake Park. Then drove her up to Animal Emergency and Referral Center of Minnesota for her procedure.

Ayla came home the next day.

The first couple of days she was off balance and required a lot of help stabilizing.

Within four days she had gotten the hang of it. Going on half-mile walks at a time. A lot more breaks at first, but even that has become less. She is able to go up and down stairs on her own with no issue. And she’ll even jump up into the Jeep when we leave the house. Atlas has been a great companion since.

Ayla had her first round of chemotherapy on Tuesday October 26th. She still smiles every day, gets lots of attention, and is showing Atlas the ropes around Rochester. (Last Updated: November 9th, 2021)

LAST UPDATE: Ayla was my soul dog and I miss her every day. I was a mess for 5 weeks after Ayla passed. And I still say her name every day, wear her dog tag as my necklace, and have her face tattooed in an outline of her paw on my calf.

Ayla was loved by many. But she was mine. I heart continues to break.

Best, Alex

Alex Mayer was voted 2021 “Finalist” for Best of the Best Real Estate Agents in Rochester Minnesota through the Post Bulletin. Video Maven Award winner in 2019 for his contribution to the digital marketing conversation in real estate. One of the most well known social media personalities in Rochester MN real estate. Alex’s engagement and digital marketing strategies are setting trends both locally and nationally. Most of his content is video, with the majority of it seen as educational or community oriented. “There’s a lot of noise out there and I want to bring some real clarity and perspective to the conversation.”

He lives in Rochester and serves a 30 mile radius of Rochester. He is one of the youngest real estate brokers in the Rochester area. He leads a team in Rochester, trains agents both locally and nationally, and still works with his clients directly.

From Alex:

Thank you for reading. Hope you can see how much I care about my animals. Whenever I have committed to something I’ve always thrown myself all in. I treat my real estate business the same way. My core values are education, communication, and responsiveness.

With me, my promise to clients is that they will know what to expect, how to operate, and what needs to be done to win in todays Rochester area housing market. I pride myself on making sure my clients receive a thorough understanding of the real estate process, clear communication, and the best tools to make moves quickly.

If you would like to connect with me personally, just fill out the form below.

Cheers, Alex.