How do you even put a tragedy like this into words? I’ve been searching for the strength to write—not only to honor my sweet baby Ollie, but to share crucial information that could save other pets and families. Information that might have changed everything if I had known it sooner.
This past Saturday, I woke up filled with excitement to take my 2-year-old golden retriever, Oliver—Ollie—to Lady Bird Lake. Neither of us had kayaked there before, and it’s a must-do in Austin, Texas. Ollie LOVES the water. He swam for the first time last summer and instantly became addicted. I knew he would be overjoyed to spend the morning on the water with me.
I woke before my alarm, too eager to wait. I could already hear his little whines of anticipation, see his tail wagging nonstop, and feel the joy of sharing our happy place together. He followed me from room to room, knowing something exciting was about to happen. When we were finally ready, I opened the garage door and he ran straight to the back-left door, like always, ready to jump in and hit the road. We stopped for gas and made the drive to Rowing Dock, a kayak and paddleboard rental spot along Lady Bird Lake.
As expected, Ollie practically dragged me to the water, squeaking and whining impatiently while we waited in line. Once we were registered, we launched into the lake—just the two of us, ready for a quiet morning together before the day’s adventures.
From the start, I found myself saying, “No, no, no… not yet, Ollie… you can jump in once we get a little farther out.” He stood on the front of the kayak, dipping a paw into the water, ready to swim. Then he leapt, paddling and splashing with pure joy. He would jump, swim back, let me help him back into the boat, and do it all over again. Over and over. That hour on the lake was filled with pure happiness—the last hour I would have with him, full of beautiful memories.
After exactly an hour on the water, I decided to stop at Zilker Park before heading home. A morning isn’t complete without fetch on land, too. Ollie jumped out eagerly, and I let him off leash so he could roam freely. He ran in circles and always returned to me, my loyal little shadow.
I took out his ball, and we played catch. A little boy approached, fascinated by Ollie. I gave him the ball, and his giggles as Ollie chased it were infectious. Oliver was gentle and patient with him, as always. After a few rounds, the boy’s father carried him off to continue their own park adventures. Ollie and I walked together, exploring, him leading, then turning to make sure I was always close.
Then, suddenly, something was wrong.
About thirty minutes after we arrived, his back legs gave out while walking. The look in his eyes met mine—confusion, disbelief. He tried to stand, tried to walk, and collapsed again. He lay there, panting, and I rushed to him with water, confused and terrified. I’m a nurse, yet I didn’t know what was happening. I kept thinking, Figure it out. Figure it out! We had been on countless adventures in every weather, for far longer than this, and nothing like this had ever happened. My mind went numb while my heart raced.
After several minutes, he wobbled toward a shallow mud hole nearby. He collapsed into it, panting, trying to cool himself. Strangers came over. One woman, in particular, became my guide and my angel that day, helping more than I can ever describe. She and several others helped keep Ollie cool and supported me as I ran to the car, frantically calling my boyfriend and searching for an emergency vet.
People helped lift Ollie into the back seat. His legs had already given out completely, his pulse weak, breaths shallow. The kind woman stayed in the back with him, helping keep him as cool as possible. As I drove toward the vet, I turned to look at him—and in that moment, he started seizing. Seconds later, it became clear: his heart had stopped. The woman began CPR as I raced to save him, just four minutes from the clinic.
At the vet, they intubated him and continued CPR for over ten minutes—but it was too late. My sweet baby Ollie was gone. I will never forget the images of that day. My heart is shattered, my soul aching, but my love for him is eternal.
The next day, a news report revealed the presence of blue-green algae in the lake, which can release a deadly neurotoxin. It took only one hour from leaving the water for Ollie to breathe his last. It is still unclear whether this algae or water toxicity caused his death, but if I had known there was any risk, I would never have taken him. No warnings, no signs, no alerts—until now. I am sharing his story so others can be warned, so other families do not suffer this same heartbreak. I have contacted the City Public Health Office and the Austin Watershed Director, and I urge everyone to educate themselves and keep their pets safe.
I love you forever, my sweet Ollie. Always your momma.
