~ Meeting Patch ~
Patch was a true lover of life - the most playful, loving, sweetest, intelligent, spirited, bravest dog I've ever known. He never changed throughout his life. His personality was the exact same and he remained puppy-like his entire life. So much that I didn't fully recognize his aging. I will never forget the exact moment I met him. I was 30 and not in the market for a dog - the thought hadn't even crossed my mind. My mom told me her cousin Linda & husband Dave rescued 2 little Chihuahua mix puppies from their neighborhood and nursed them to health through bottle feeding. They brought them from the west side of Cleveland to the east side a few times to visit my parents, play cards, and socialize the puppies with my parents dog, Dixie. My mom kept telling me 'you must come over and see these puppies - they are so cute!!' I wanted a puppy fix so the next time they came by - I popped over for a visit. Little did I know that visit would change my entire life as I knew it, for the better, and forever.

Love at First Sight!
Patch was a little white puppy, about 12 weeks and 5 or 6lbs, with tan markings over his floppy ears and forehead, base of his backside and top of his beautiful tail. He also had one solid 'patch' of tan on his lower left side. Other than that, he was pure white with the softest fur you will ever feel. He still had that puppy pink around his mouth and nose with some black spots. He had big dark, almost jet black eyes (but they were actually extremely dark brown in the sun) and they each looked slightly outward. He had the cutest nose with a small ski jump curve at the end. His personality was like the puppy we all want - sweet, gentle, funny, and spirited! The image is branded in my memory where he sweetly, but bravely approached Dixie (she looked like a monster next to him) shivering, but with his tail wagging excitedly and barked right at her, "Ruff, Ruff!" I immediately fell in love with him. I knew right then I needed this fun, feisty, but super sweet and playful pup in my life. I had to be with him. Did I mention his sister, Chi Chi? She was cute too, but Patch was so mesmerizing, I honestly barely noticed her. Patch had my full attention. Before I left that day, I told Linda if she ever needed to rehome Patch, please let me know. To my amazement, soon after Linda called as they decided it would be too hard to care for both pups. She said they were rehoming Chi Chi. I politely thanked her, but said I was not interested in Chi Chi. Patch was Linda's favorite too - it was hard to let him go, but said she would give Patch to me and my former husband, Brian, as she knew I'd care for him. We were ecstatic. Though I had no idea what I was doing, I was elated.

~ Bringing Patch Home! ~
On February 12, 2005, the day Patch came home and into my life - he forever changed me.

The ride home seems like yesterday. I sat in the back seat with Patch in his carrier. He howled and howled with his little mouth forming an 'O' shape - I felt so bad, but he seemed excited at the same time. When we arrived home and let him out of the carrier, he zipped around from the foyer, to the kitchen, then dining room and living room a few times and he actually jumped and landed on the coffee table! He seemed scared, but excited! Then he went to the stairs (which they didn't have at his former house) where he slowly went up the first two stairs to the landing, then back down. He went up again and tried a few more stairs, then back down. He then zipped up all the stairs to the second floor where the bedrooms were! He was the most CURIOUS pup! I was so in love with him. He followed me EVERYWHERE! He was on my heels all around the house - he was my little white shadow and I was his Mommy.

It was clear we were meant to be. My Dad passed away unexpectedly one month after getting Patch. (Sadly, Linda passed 7 months after giving me Patch and Dave a few years later.) Brian and I got divorced. My Mom got a terminal illness. But Patch remained my constant throughout everything. He was ALWAYS full of joy, fun, and loved everything and everyone. My Mom always said he was like a human - he was so smart and intuitive. He knew what you were feeling and saying (was an excellent speller) and had a way of looking at you like he was reading your mind - and he was. One morning he jumped in my Mom's bed and would not stop licking her face - uncontrollably kept licking her mouth and nose in a way that was unusual. We were both laughing until we realized her oxygen had come off. Patch detected this and was letting us know. Patch was my rock through all the sad times - licking my tears away and making me laugh. We also had numerous sunny times that far outweighed the clouds. After divorce and before Sam and remarriage, when just the two of us, Patch came everywhere with me. He visited Hospice House to see my Mom and was quite the star as he pranced around the clinic saying hello.

PATCH LOVED WALKS!! Didn't matter weather, time, or day - he was up for a walk any time. I wish I marked down all the walks and where we went, but I've calculated we must've gone on well over 2000+ walks, but much more likely closer to 3000+. We didn't walk on days too cold in winter, or if I felt he needed a break. We went to many, many parks (maybe all) in Lake County and numerous neighborhoods. He also loved road trips and went to Canada to visit my best friend and on 3 other vacations - to Hilton Head SC where he barked at the Atlantic Ocean (he was always the Alpha), visited caves and trails in Hocking Hills, OH and the deep forests of Vermont where he befriended a cow, walked parts of Lake Champlain, and had ice cream from thee Ben and Jerry's. Patch also ran at lightning speed and could do the high jump. He'd often break out into sprints on walks. He had a great balance of lots of energy, but also loved his down time to relax.

PATCH LOVED TOYS!! He couldn't wait to find and kill the squeaker and tear out the stuffing within 30 seconds or less. He kept a select few toys in reserve and would not demolish them, but mostly any he came across were quickly destroyed. He often slept cuddled up with his toys. He LOVED opening gifts - tearing off wrapping paper and getting into gift bags. It didn't matter whose gift it was coming into the house - he was curious! But at Christmas while he would sniff all gifts under the tree, he waited patiently to open his (and Sammy's). He opened large gifts like dog beds by poking a hole in it with his snout, then would tear the paper. He also loved food puzzles and was super quick at figuring them out!

PATCH LOVED SAM!! Sammy came into our lives several weeks after my Mom passed. He was about 3 and came from a very poor life into a great rescue. Patch just turned 7. I wasn't in the market (again) for a dog and had shared numerous dogs on Facebook who needed homes many times. But when I saw Sam's picture - there was 'something' about him that I knew we needed to meet him. After an application, interview and 2 visits, it was clear Sammy was meant to be in our lives. Patch immediately accepted Sam and showed him the ropes - including barking! They became fast friends. There was never any aggression and Patch & Sam quickly bonded. They played together, ate together, barked at the mail carrier together, walked the neighborhood proudly together marking their territory, and slept together. They snuggled closely with each other all the time. I'm so grateful Sam came into our lives as these two were best pals and brothers. I'm so incredibly proud of Patch for sharing his Mommy and his home with Sam.

PATCH LOVED HIS FAMILY!! Patch was a Momma's boy for sure - everyone knows this :) but he also loved everyone he met. He loved kids and all my nieces and nephews and stepchildren. He loved Brian and Laurel when he was young and adored Matt and Philly when he was older. Patch was notorious for scratching on their bedroom doors very early in the morning before school to let him in and snuggle. :) He loved watching movies, hanging out with them, meeting their friends and girlfriends. He loved the 'activity' in the house. Philly & Patch were very close. Patch loved all his Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and visits from everyone. (Sam not as much ;) I'm so fortunate and eternally thankful my family cared for our pups while on vacation. They were so happy they could stay in their own home. Patch & Sam both love Gracie. Patch was cautious when I was about to remarry, but quickly and ultimately became a Daddy's boy! Most often you'd find Patch in Phil's arms - carrying him up and down the stairs, picking him up and gently putting him down to avoid jumping, and on walks to give him a break. We called it 'magic carpet ride' and Patch LOVED every minute of it. Patch hung out in the yard often with Phil while doing yard work and Phil let him get into more 'trouble' (chasing squirrels, getting dirty, etc.) than I would, which I'm now grateful. They were bonded and I'm so fortunate Phil cared as deeply as I did for my boy.

PATCH LOVED HIS HOME!!
He was the king of his castle. Patch was always the best dog and never got into anything he shouldn't, except socks.:) He freely roamed the house nearly his entire life after just a few months of crate training as a pup. I could fully trust him and things would be where I left them when I returned. (Sammy I can trust about 95% - if food related, he will indulge.) He was always curious what was going on in the house. If I was cooking - he came strolling in to say hello. If we were working on a project, he wanted to be part of it. He was always checking things out. He loved looking out all the windows. He spent most of his time looking out the front waiting for the mail carrier and watching squirrels, but would mosey room to room peering out each window at neighborhood and wildlife happenings. He absolutely loved lounging in his beds and on comfy blankets and pillows. He always slept in my bed and would stretch out upon waking, shake from head to tail, wag his tail eagerly for the new day and then give lots of kisses. I'd say 'It's time to make the donuts', or 'are you ready to face the day?' and he'd get super excited and then politely demand breakfast. He loved listening to Vince Gauraldi Charlie Brown Christmas - I played it every day while he napped. As soon as I turned it on, he'd snuggle up and doze. Patch allowed dogs to come over for visits, but preferred routine. He had his good friends Dixie, Morpheous, and Molly. We tried fostering Freddy and he didn't care for that much. Freddy is a super great boy, but very quick and I think at 10, Patch was done with new dogs staying over. He was the alpha despite his 10lb size. When I took him to obedience training shortly after getting him, he was the only dog that would not roll over. The Instructor said he was the Alpha of the group (including big dogs and a Rottweiler) and would not show submission. On walks, I'd offer him water and he refused to drink it. Sammy always drinks it, but Patch waited until we got home to drink water. He was the sweetest, but bravest little dog. Patch was the head of our household and we called him Prince Patch.

PATCH LOVED LIFE!!!
Joy, playful, fun, light, and love are always the words top of mind with Patch. No matter what - he was interested in life and having fun, or dozing to rejuvenate to have more fun. He loved all seasons and if we'd get caught in light rain or snow while walking, he got super excited. He truly lived in the moment. Patch loved everyone and everyone loved Patch. His presence was so big, when he walked into any room, he lit it up. Phil says he was like Christmas everyday. His presence was so big and joyful, you felt it when he entered the room.

In September 2017, there was a miscommunication with my Vet and they administered a vaccine I did not want Patch to have due to his age at almost 13. That night we landed in the ER with a swollen face and excessive vomiting. That week he had a terrible seizure, then began collapsing off and on after getting excited. It was horrible. All the sudden he had a high grade heart murmur and we needed to see a cardiologist. Everything spiraled downward from that vaccine. But Patch maintained his sunny disposition through ALL of it - every single vet visit, exam, and medication for 2 years - he continued to LOVE life, toys, walks, his family, and home. He never wavered - he was so brave and gentle through all of it. He was also still his feisty, fun self. While slowly slowing down, he always remained true to himself and to us - it was hard to detect how he was truly aging. Patch is incredible in every way. Before this happened, we were looking at houses to downsize. The kids were both in the military and I wanted one floor living, big windows so they could easily look out, better yard, and screened in porch to lounge as they went into their golden years. I wanted to live in Downtown Willoughby as vacations would be paused next few years with their aging, so we could easily walk into town for fun and get home quickly. We finally landed a place, but to my devastation after only 3 months in the new house, Patch fell very ill.

On February 12, 2020 - exactly 15 yrs to the day Patch came home with me, we sadly lost him to kidney failure.

Words cannot express how devastating and excruciating this loss has been. While this isn't about me, Patch had such a deeply profound effect on my life and we were so closely intertwined. He was my baby boy and I his Mommy. He was there for me through all of it. He was such a significant part of my everyday and everynight for 15 too short years. He was an extension of me and I feel I've lost my right arm without him. It's hard to function. It's hard to find that joy he so effortlessly gave every moment of his life. Life feels so unnatural without him and this new reality. It's really hard making this a home without Patch. But there are many lessons I've learned and still need to learn from this wonderful, wise, and most beautiful soul - living in the moment is just one of them.

I'm so grateful and eternally indebted to Linda & Dave for trusting me with their little puppy. I made mistakes along the way, but I love him with my whole heart and depths of my soul and always wanted only the very best for him. I'm grateful for all my loved ones who took part in loving, doting over, and caring for Patch over the years. I'm grateful for Sam being the best little brother and fiercest protector to Patch. He would be so proud of Sam stepping up, licking my tears away and making me laugh like Patch always did. I'm so grateful to my husband Phil for taking the best care of not only Patch and Sam, but of me every single painful day through all of this as he grieves too.

10/09/20: Baby Boy - Mommy misses you so much. It's been two days since your birthday and it was very hard celebrating it without you. Daddy and I took Sammy to Chagrin River Park in your honor. I've never been there without you - it was so hard but you and I have so many memories there when it was just the 2 of us. It seems like yesterday and I wish it was. We also went to Pinegate and Sammy had fun tinkling on all the spots you both marked to make sure all the other dogs in the neighborhood knew 'This is my house and this is my Mommy.' We had some DQ ice-cream cake cup like always. Mommy misses and LOVES you tremendously and I can't wait to see you again!

10/12/20: I can't believe 8 months have gone by today baby boy. 243 days I've woken up without your sweet face in mine, ears so floppy and beautiful tail wagging, ready for the day. Making your breakfast, lunch and snack is not the same. Sammy loves it, but calmly waits while you would eagerly bark your RUFF RUFF at me, and that gentle push and nudge into my legs. Sometimes that kiss on the legs like 'thank you'. Sammy does this and it reminds me of you. We all miss you so much baby boy. I really miss our walks. We had SO much fun on all of our walks. This is perfect weather and we loved walking in Fall. Your toys haven't moved. I miss them strewn all over. You should be here. If they didn't give you that vaccine - I know you would be. Mommy is so deeply sorry I didn't protect you more. I didn't want you to have it and was about to talk to the Dr. when all the sudden he gave you a shot. I knew it. I knew it, I knew it. I knew it would be detrimental and it was. You deserved better. I wish I wasn't so busy caring for everyone else and their problems too and solely focused on you. You deserved my 100% attention. I will make everything up to you when I (hope, pray, and dream) we are together again. I LOVE YOU!!!! Mommy

10/26/20: Mommy is deeply missing you Patcharoo. You should be here. Mommy is so sad without you, but please don't worry about me as Sammy and Daddy are taking good care of me. I love you so very much and can't wait to see you again!!!

12/12/20: 10 months today you've been gone from our lives my beautiful baby boy. I deeply miss your sweet face and playful spirit. I feel you all around, but of course it is not the same. But I am blessed to know our love still lives on until we're together again. You taught your brother well as he is always right there for me. He loves sleeping with your lambchop because it still smells like you and reminds him of you. We are all missing you tremendously every day and this season. You were our Christmas tree every day of our lives. We will miss you tearing the wrapping paper from the gifts and running around with your new toys. The best gift I could ever get is you - thank you for making Mommy's life so wonderful and complete. I love you my sweet Roo. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO Mommy

12/25/20: It's Christmas and I can't believe you're not physically here to celebrate it with us. It doesn't seem like Christmas without you baby boy. And we lost very special Aunt Gloria on the 13th so it's been extra hard. She loved you so much and I just can't fathom that Grandma, Grandpa, you, Aunt Gloria, Uncle Rick, Dave and Linda have all gone. It must be a very special reunion in Heaven. Your little Christmas tree never delivered even though I ordered it early Dec - it's nowhere to be found in shipping. We did find a small Alberta Spruce locally that looks really cute next to your memorial. Sammy didn't even look at his presents this morning! He is such a little stinker - could care less! I told him you would've had them open in 30 seconds! We ALL miss and love you so much. You, Sammy and Daddy are the best and only gifts Mommy could ask for. I miss and love you so very much - I know you feel it too. Merry Christmas Mommy's beautiful baby boy forever. I LOVE YOU!!! Mommy, Daddy & Sammy

Happy New Year Baby Boy ~ I love you. Mommy doesn't want to go into a new year without you, but I am going to try my best to stay close to you in spirit as I know you are right there. I miss touching you, kissing you, holding you, playing itszy bitsy spider and singing songs together, but we will do those things when we're together again. Thank YOU for being the BEST dog Mommy could ever ask for. Sammy learned so much from you and is taking real good care of Mommy, don't you worry! I'm so lucky and blessed to have you both in my life. Sammy misses you a alot. Come visit us in our dreams or at home anytime. This is your home here on earth! I'm one day, one year closer to you my sweet boy. XOXOXOXO

2/12/21Happy Anniversary my sweet, sweet, love. You are Mommy's beautiful baby boy forever. Visit me whenever you'd like. We all love and miss you. Sammy is taking good care of me - you are so proud of him I know! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!! Thank you for being the bestest boy and teaching Sammy and for all of our most treasured memories. Until we meet again. I LOVE YOU!!! XOXOXOXOXOXO

4/28/21: I miss you so much my beautiful Angel. I know you are with me, but I wish you were physically here with me. I long for you everyday. But I don't want you to worry - Sammy continues to take great care of Mommy. He learned from you. Nash has joined our family and he's like you in many ways it makes me smile. I know you sent him to me to remind me of you. I wonder if it's you at times. I hope it is. We are meant to be together forever. Our time was cut too short. You should be in this house with us. I miss all of your fun and silly ways. You made Mommy laugh and smile all the time. Life will never be the same here without you. You're Mommy's baby boy forever. We all love and miss you baby. Pure love and joy.
Big kisses from Mommy. I LOVE YOU ROO!!!! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOXOXO

6/26/21: Missing you baby boy. I miss your funny antics and your beautiful, fun spirit. You were such a gentle and loving boy. This will never be a home without you, but I know you're just on the other side and we will be together again. In the meantime - come and stay whenever you like - this is your home too. Big hugs and kisses from Mommy, Daddy, Sam and Nash.

09/25/21: I realize my last post a few weeks ago didn't save. :( I was missing you as always. Well it is officially Fall here baby boy - our favorite season together! This was the absolute best time for walks - warm with low humidity, kicking the leaves up under our feet. We could walk anytime of day. How I miss our walks so extremely much. It was Mommy's best part of the day. Sammy is still loving the walks though I know he misses his sidekick partner in crime boss! Your little brother loves you so much - I almost didn't realize just how much. But who doesn't? You have the best personality - such a fun spirited and loving little pup. You just truly enjoyed life no matter what came your way - such a lesson for Mommy to learn. Your birthday is coming up in a little over a week. 17 baby boy. 17. You should be here with Mommy. I love you forever and miss you so much my beautiful Angel. Big huge hugs and kisses. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX Your Mommy forever

10/07/21: Happy 17th Birthday to my sweet Patcharoo! Mommy's baby boy! I miss you so much and wish you were here for your birthday, but I hope and pray you're in an even much better and more beautiful and peaceful place than this world. I miss watching you tear open your present and run around with your toys, ripping everything to shreds! Anytime a gift bag was around, you wanted to know what was in it! It's very hard without you, but don't worry about Mommy. I know you are always with me and that today you knew how much I was thinking about you - the 2 white butterflies flying all around the yard, your memorial, me and Nash when he was outside to potty. Then the smoke alarm going off for no reason!? What was that! You stinker! The single pic out of thousands I sent to Aunt Kim, Dawn and Uncle Scooter, only for the camera to send it back to me late yesterday. And the power going out for a few seconds when Dad opened the freezer to get the ice cream to celebrate you. Roo - so many signs! You are with Mommy always and I know it! I bet you and Grandpa are together these past few days. Give him and Grandma and big kiss for me. It will be amazing when we're all together again. Daddy and I are having as much fun as possible with Sammy and Nash. Please look over them if you can! If not, no worries - I ask God to keep them and you in his good care. I love you my first true love ever!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
Love you forever and ever XOXOXOXOXO Mommy

Love and miss you every day Rufi

3/9/22: I think some of my messages fell off baby boy. I know I gave you a Christmas message along with the tree. I took the tree down and put up some daffodills for Spring as we're finally heading into Spring. Remember the daffodills at Birchwood? We had so many there! It doesn't matter, I think of you every single day - thousands of times. I kiss your pic and pray you're the happiest, healthiest, most loved ever!!! It's been tough here but Mommy is doing ok. Approaching 2 years without you was very, very hard. It's all Mommy thought about and has been in total disbelief. We have Sammy, Daddy and Nash to help! Although it's been tough and sad with Nash because of his health problems. We are trying to give him the best life possible. He reminds me so much of you. He is such a sweet and gentle soul like you. I don't want to have to say goodbye to him too, or to my Sammy baby. This is so hard. One day we will ALL be together. That will be heaven for sure! Play and run and be free until then my sweet baby boy! We all love you here! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX Mommy

2/12/24: My sweet Rufus. I can't believe it's been nearly 2 yrs I wrote on here. I still think of you every single day. Today is our 19th Anniversary. I could not wait to pick you up. It was a Saturday. I wish it was that day again my sweet Angel. You, Papa, Grandma, Dixie and Nasharoo would all be here. Dave, Linda, Aunt Glo and Uncle Rick & Larry too. I was jealous you were following Brian that afternoon when we picked you up. But when we left, I sat with you in the backseat and you howled. I felt so bad taking you from the home you knew. When we got home, you ran around the house and jumped up/landed on the coffee table, it was so funny. And you began immediately following ME around. We were ONE ever since. My baby, Mommy still longs for you. And sweet Nasharoo. I hope we made the right decision in letting him go. I couldn't let him be in any pain or suffer. I hated he was blind too. I certainly hope his health problems weren't caused by us in any way. I fell in love with him immediately at the shelter. He reminded me so much of you - and he continued to do so here, as he made our house a home without you. Scratching at the door when Mommy was in the bathroom, running around with joy - playing with all his toys. I think that dental and maybe microchip did something. Of course I will never forgive myself for mistakenly underfeeding him after getting him. Why did I listen to the shelter? I wish beautiful Nasharoo was still here too. I do get all of your signs - the amazing rainbows. The double rainbow the day we had to let Nash go and the 1 yr anniversary! Today I got your windchime sign at the memorial, then the cardinals, then the Rufus like on my comment about our dogs being with the Angels and our loved ones WHILE Christmas Time is Here was playing! THANK YOU BOYS! Sammy is taking great care of Mommy, thank God. He is getting old though my baby. I am so grateful for each day and that he is doing well, but I can't be blind to his age like I was with you. I pray we have several more years together. But one day we will all be together and Mommy will be so happy. I want to be with Daddy here though so we can fulfill our dreams together. I know you and Nasharoo are here with us, watching over us and Mommy loves and misses you both so much! Happy Anniversary Baby Boy! WE LOVE YOU SOOOOOOO MUCH!!!!!! Love, Mommmy XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO