Ozzie was a midsize dog...by no means a lap dog. When he was about 3-1/2 years old and about 75 lbs. Loyd went away camping for a week. Ozzie watched for him daily. When Loyd returned he sat down in his favorite recliner and was talking to Ozzie. Ozzie, no doubt thinking to ignore his daddy for being gone so long, turned from him and walked across the room to the front door. He hesitated, then whipped around so fast and ran back making a flying leap into his daddy's lap where he hugged and laid his head on Loyd's shoulder. It was the most amazing moment and so adorable to see this big Aussie Mix sitting on his daddy's lap. I didn't have my camera ready, of course.

Ozzie was our best friend. We use to have conversations with him, although one sided. He would gaze at us like he understood everything we said to him. We were never lonely when he was here. We were so fortunate that God found him for us. We miss him so much.

Our Ozzie really liked other animals, all of them. He would put his nose on a garden snake to get it to move. He like to watch them. He even loved cats. He has several kitty friends around the neighborhood that loved him right back. But if one ran...he would chase. That was great fun! The only time he didn't want other animals around was at dinner time. He was very protective of his food and got pretty testy. But one day my granddaughter got a kitten, about 6 or 7 weeks old. That kitten could walk up and eat or drink out of his dish with him eating too. Ozzie didn't care. A couple of months later though, the kitten had doubled in size. No more eating out of Ozzies dish! Grrrrr. He could be very intimidating when he wanted to be. But he would never hurt anyone or any animal intentionally. He was a good boy.

One of Ozzie's favorite places to go was doggy daycare. He loved the people and animals there. We took him twice a week to socialize for a few hours. He was one of the favorites there. They said they could put him in any play group and he would do well because he was so mellow and friendly. And he had his favorite places to sleep there too. Sometimes they would have to go looking for him when we picked him up, finding him in one of his hidey places. If he didn't want to be outside they would let him come inside and wonder around. They often found him sleeping in the dryer in the grooming room! Ozzie was a good boy.

Ozzie loved to go to the carwash! He would chase the brushes and flaps and water all around the windows. When we were done we would go home and I would have to clean all the happy Ozzie slobbers off the windows. He was such a happy soul and a good boy. How I miss you, Ozzie.

Another favorite place for Ozzie was a local park. His daddy took him every Sunday while Mommy got ready for church. He loved it because Daddy didn't make him wear his leash. He always stay close by though. Never let Loyd out of his sight. One Sunday when they were there several hotair balloons were being set up in the park to take off. Ozzie was trotting along watching and then he heard it ... the loudest whooosh. And the noise went on and on as the balloons filled with air and took off. Oh my! Ozzie took off to the other side of the large park and into fields on the neighboring property. Loyd didn't see him for almost 2 hours. He walked miles looking and calling for Ozzie. The fields had very tall brush which Ozzie usually refused to go into. Finally, Loyd stepped onto a path between fields and looked to his left and Ozzie stepped out of the brush. I don't know who was more relieved, Ozzie or Daddy. Needless to say they always made sure there were no balloons taking off before stopping at the park again!

Ozzie loved to go see his Grandma. (Come to think of it I do believe every place Ozzie went was his favorite place to go! Except of course the veterinarian.) At Grandma's house the door would barely be opened before he was dashing in and running around the house checking out every room. There was always a pillow in the rocker in Grandma's room. He would pull it into the floor and lay on it first thing. Then he would proceed to the bathrooms and pull anything slightly wet off the towel racks. The go lay in the kitchen or living room acting all innocent and wait for any treats that might be given out. Ozzie was such a good and happy boy.

Tomorrow is November 4. It's your birthday, Ozzie. You would have been 8 years old. It's only been 2 months since you've been gone and I don't know how I will make it through tomorrow. We miss you so much. I hope you know how much we love you. You were such a good boy. And so beautiful. God took you much too soon. Good for you...but not so much for us. You were the best boy ever. And I can see why God wanted you to be with Him in heaven.

11/4/2013 Happy Birthday my beautiful boy. You are such a sweet soul. We miss you and love you so much.

Thanksgiving is this week. We miss you so much, Ozzie. I talk to you every night...do you hear me? I think about walks we went on. When you first came to live with us you would bark at the garden knomes in peoples yards, and growl at snowmen! That makes me smile. You were also afraid of the ice cream cart...I never did figure that one out. But everything you did just endeared you to me more. I love you, Ozzie. You were such a good boy.

My goodness, it's almost Christmas. You've been gone 3 months. I can't imagine having Christmas without you. You loved to open your presents as much as the grandchildren do. You even put up with the elf hat I put on you to take your picture last year, although you obviously weren't smiling about it! I miss you so much. I love you, Ozzie. You were such a good boy. Merry Christmas!

It was lonely without you on Christmas. Even with family and kitties around you were missed more than you know. New Year in a couple of days. At least you won't have to endure the fireworks that you hated so much. I always felt so bad that we couldn't help you see that it was just noise and wouldn't hurt you. I will think of you all night New Year's Eve, Ozzie. I love you so much. I pray that you are happy and waiting for Daddy and I to join you at Rainbow's Bridge so we can walk across together...you and us and all our other fur babies. You are such a good boy, Ozzie.

January 27, 2014 Today I saw you, or I thought I did. A lady was walking a dog that looked exactly like you, Ozzie. Even the colors were the same. This is unusual because you were so unique. An Aussie mix (possibly Samoan Husky or Akita), white with strawberry blonde patches. You were gorgeous. I almost stopped to check the dog out...my heart was beating so fast. Then, looking in the rear view mirror I noticed there was one small difference. His ears were slightly floppy, where yours were pointed. But it sure got my heart going. I miss you so much. I cried for you that night. I love you, OzMan. You were such a good boy.

April 24, 2014 It's been awhile since I wrote here. Not because I don't miss you ... I miss you as much as I ever did. I love you so much it hurts. And being at your memorial here makes me sad and weepy. You were so much a part of our lives that it is hard to be without you. I rescued a kitty before Christmas. She has been a real challenge. She's hard to bond with because she was chased and tormented my their family dog for 2 years. She is 3 now. A tortoise shell calico. Very petite and pretty. So even if I felt I could get another dog...I couldn't do that to her. She would be terrified. I'm finally making some progress with her. You would like her, or maybe you'd like to chase her :). She wouldn't like that. I know you don't mind that I have her because you wouldn't want me to be lonely. I still talk to you every night and tell you how much I miss you and love you. Can you hear me? There haven't been any signs from you. I hope you are having fun at the Rainbow Bridge. You are so beautiful and loved...and such a good boy!

June 28, 2014 Summer...we use to go for wonderful walks. In all these months I have not been able to walk without you. We walked in rain, shine, snow. As long as it wasn't stormy, we went. You loved your walks. And I loved going with you. Daddy misses your Sunday walks at the park together too. You were so much a part of our lives. These long months have been difficult. Every time I think I'll start walking again, I just can't do it without you. We went on shorter ones in the summer months. You hated the heat so much...and I do too! You would go out on the porch and lay in winter snow and ice. Even a little rain didn't bother you. We still have the huge doghouse daddy built you on the porch. You know...the one you refused to go into! hahaha You were so funny. I'd throw a toy in or a bone to try to get you to go in, and you would go in get the bone or toy and bring it back out! I guess you didn't realize that we would never have made you stay out there. Your place was in the house with us! The house was just a cover for you from weather if you wanted it while you were out there. I love you so much, Ozzie. You are such a good boy!

August 21, 2014 My goodness, Ozzie. I can't believe you've been waiting for me at the Rainbow Bridge for almost a year now. I still weep for you I miss you so much. I know you are having fun, running, playing. I know you love and miss me too. I'll write more memories soon. But I just had to say it tonight... You are such a good boy!

September 9, 2014 Oh Ozzie I miss you so much. It's a year today and I still miss you just as much. I was reading through the memories here. They make me smile and laugh...and cry. You'll just never know how much we love you. I still haven't seen any signs that you're around, no dreams or sounds to let me know you're here. I miss you so much. It would really help me to know you are happy, and you love and miss us too. I will never stop waiting for you to let me know you're okay. I'll keep watching for signs of you. I talk to you every night...do you know that? I tell you how much I love and miss you. You have such a handsome face and loving smile. Run free and I'll see you again. You'll always be my good boy.

I'm sorry I waited so long to visit Rainbow Bridge, Ozzie. September 9, 2015...I can't believe it's been 2 years since you left. I still talk to you every night. Do you hear me, Ozzie? I tell you how much I love and miss you. I have the pictures that Doggy Day Care gave me. They made a shadow box of different pictures of you at play. It is very sweet and all of the staff who loved you (which was all of them) signed the frame. I've been reading all these memories again. Not that I need to...I remember everything about you. I'm so sorry we didn't know you were hurting and ill. I've shed a lot of tears for you these last 2 years. It still hurts me to read these memories. Sometimes I just remember something suddenly that you did and I start crying. I can barely see the screen now. You've still not come to visit. I don't feel you here. You are never in my dreams. Please come, Ozzie. I need to know you are being taken care of. And even if I only visit here once a year, please know that you are my sweet, good boy. I will never stop loving you. Run free, OzMan!
September 9, 2016...Hi Ozzie, I can't believe it's been 3 years since you left us. My heart is still full of love for you. I miss you every day.
I didn't rescue you, you rescued me. I haven't been on a walk since you left. It's just not the same without you. I still tell you I love you every night. I hope you can hear me. I'm so sorry I didn't know how sick you were until it was too late. I was so sure that you were going to get well. But I didn't even get to say goodbye. I know you are running and playing now with all my past fur babies. And I hope you have met my daddy. He would have loved you had he not went to Heaven before you. But I know he's loving you now. As always you are such good boy. And so loved.

August 14, 2017...My dear sweet Ozzie. I'm sorry I haven't written in here for so long. Seems like time just gets away from me.
You've probably have already greeted my Mom. She went to be with Jesus in November last year. Do you go to her place in Heaven and pull the towels and wash clothes off the racks? Such a prankster you were!
I think of you every day. I send kisses every night. I love you so much. I miss you terribly still. It will be 4 years next month since I saw your beautiful face. Be happy and I see you again. I'll write soon. You are such a good boy!

September 9. 2017...Its been 4 years since we've seen your smiling face, Ozzie. Sometimes I still weep when I look at your pictures. Always on this date because I miss you so much. But most days I smile when I remember some antic that was your personality. You could really make us laugh. Today on this 4th anniversary can now be a celebration. Remember Mark? Our Grandson is marrying his soul mate, Krista. You'd like her. She sweet and kind just like you, Ozzie!

Have you been playing tricks on my mom and Daddy? Give them extra kisses for me.

Have fun at Rainbow Bridge. I can hardly wait to see you and all my other furbabies, and Mama and Daddy, and most of all, Jesus. I love you, Ozman. You are such a good boy.

September 8, 2019. Hi Ozzie, I just cant believe you've gone 6 years today! We have 3 cats noe w. I know you would have fun chasing them! But even three cats cant take your place. And they dont have your personality. You were one of a kind. I miss you so much.

We got a new house,Ozzie! You would like it. There is lots of room inside. But not much room in the backyard. Daddy had some pics printed recently. You were im n them. Daddy likes to remember your antics. So do i... but it makes melancholy and I miss you more.

I hope you are enjoying Rainbow Bridge and heaven. Tell Mama and Daddy I love them and miss@ them. And I love and miss you too. I'll see you all someday in Heaven. ❤❤❤!

Hi OzMan, Its August of 2020 already. I can't believe you've been gone so long. I miss you so much. I'm sorry I don't write you as often as I use to. It doesn't mean I don't miss you. I love you still. I guess I misspoke a couple of years ago when I said Mark married his soulmate. It didn't last even 2 years. Funny how life works out. We are at a new house now, Ozzie. The yard is small, but fenced. You would love the house. It's so much bigger and you'd have fun running and sliding on the floors. We have 3 kitties now. You'd love them. They are Bella, Phantom and Riko. It takes all of them and more to take your place. No animal could ever take your place. I think of you often. I have lots and pics and videos of you. You were so much fun. I hope you get to spend time with my Mama and Daddy. I miss them too. Give them and kiss for me. I wish I could come visit you and them. But I'll be there some day. I love you, Ozzie. Until next time....you are such a good boy. ❤❤❤

My good boy, Ozzie. I can't believe you've been gone for so long, eight years today. The pain in my heart feels like yesterday.😢 I still love you and miss you so much. I know someday I'll see you and other fur babies again. But my heart hasn't mended from your loss. It was too sudden. I'm so sorry we didn't know you were sick sooner. Maybe... but we didn't. And you are happily pulling the towels off your Grandmas racks again. I'm envious that my mom gets to see you now. She missed you too. I love you so much. My Ozman, my heart, my good boy.

September 8, 2022. Oh my Ozzie, You are so loved and missed. You've been gone 9 years today. I love you and miss you just as much now as then. You were the light of our lives and you were taken so young. Only 8 years old. We still haven't adopted another dog. No one can replace you. Your love, gentleness, and sense of humor are one of a kind. Your antics endeared you to us even more. Don't think because I don't write in here as often as I did, that I love or think of you less. We just have so much room here to write. When it's gone I'll be writing from my heart to yours. Goodnight, Oz-man. Sleep tight and wait for me. ❤️❤️❤️