The casual reader may dismiss this post, family may derive some closure.

I gave up my buddy pal this afternoon… I hadn’t realized how his 10+ year existence was integral to our lifestyle. Our dear pet was always triggered to react predictably to the rustle of a key chain, footsteps, his master’s voice. He would watch you leave and wait patiently in the drive for your return knowing your vehicle by its exhaust beat drum.

He was the neighborhood “best trainned dog” and the park’s “frisbee champ“. The community will remember him for his ability to selfishly guard his tennis ball at the top of the drive and then precisely release it (to roll down to the curb) as one walked or drove by. They could then lob it to him and the process could repeat. He would wait there focused on that dang ball, until someone got a clue and heaved it back. He knew the property line.

Our best routine were all of those prime years when he and I would jog the park. It was always great exercise and on some days when I was lost to the computer keyboard his pining would give me incentive to get up and take him, irrespective of rain or shine. And so we would. It was always a good run and sometimes there were stories to tell.

Our children loved him growing up. They learned about dog handling and responsibility. It was hard to let him go. He is comfortable now. We shall miss him.