He has always been so sweet and playful. He just got along with everybody, other animals and people alike. He stuck by my side through thick and thin, as I did his. I feel like I have a giant hole in my heart today. I don't know if it will ever heal. Everywhere I look I see my beloved best friend.

When he was a little guy he used to like chewing on everything. I bought him a dozen toys and he liked to chew on his little Gladware water bowl I'd keep outside for him when it was warm. He did like his little mouse when he was real small and later on a stuffed duck. As he grew older he like playing tug-o-war with his rope. I'd say, "where's your rope?" He'd run and get it and come back wanting to play.

Rambo loved the snow. He would run around galloping like a horse. (I called him my horse or "horsey boy") My youngest stepson used to say, "he's not a horse!" I'd reply, "He sure is, he's my horse!" That joke went on for years and eventually we called him horsey boy more than Rambo.

I am thankful for the nearly 10 years we had together. We entered each other's lives at a time when we both needed somebody. I did everything I could to make his life as long as possible and ensured it was full of love and joy. Rambo even managed to turn my lovely "not really a dog person" wife into a dear friend. Rambo would sit in the kitchen as she made her lunch for work and she would share a piece of turkey or let him lick the peanut butter from the butter knife she used to make her PB&J. They became fast friends.

My boys also loved Rambo very much. They always stopped to give him a pet and see how he was doing. My oldest stepson would take him out and watch him while we were on travel. I think Rambo made him feel safe and they took care of each other while the family was away for a bit.

After becoming a bit lethargic, eating less, and breathing more heavily than usual... we discovered he had a tumor around his heart and an oversized liver. When I saw the images at the vet I knew he had reached the end of the line. Selfishly, I wanted to wait for two days before taking him for his trip to the rainbow bridge. I wanted my family to be able to say goodbye and I wanted to have a big steak with my buddy for dinner on Friday night.

Sadly, he lost control of his bowels around 3:30am on Friday morning and I knew his body was beginning to fail. My wife and I took him later that morning at 9:30am. We had a big chocolate chip cookie, a bite sized snickers, and a 3 Musketeers. Shortly after that he went to sleep, never to wake up again. This was the most difficult thing I have ever had to do in my life. I am so tearful typing this I can barely see the monitor.

Rambo, I hope you know you were loved as much as I am capable of loving anything! I am so grateful that we got to spend so much time together. We will always love you and you will remain in our minds and hearts forever.