You were such a joy to our family with your constant smile, loving kisses, endless energy, and, most importantly, your unconditional love. In many ways, you taught me so much about life.

You were our Rock Star, loved by everyone. How grateful we are to those who helped take care of you. We're thankful for Auntie Crystal and Uncle Jim who would stop by and see you if we happened to take a day trip. Cousin Leo will miss you as he enjoyed running around with you and taking over your bed! Uncle Kevin told us he really loved you, and Aunt Jill did too. She was there to care for you when you got hurt running up and down the hill. Cousin Eric also loved you and helped so much in taking care of you and your brother Bruno. Eric enjoyed playing ball with you and watching you soak up his hugs; you were such a love sponge.

We're thankful for Uncle Bill and we'll never forget him saving your life from that mean pit bull. It's difficult to understand how life is sometimes so unfair. You, of all dogs, did not deserve to have your toe bitten by a stray while you were simply enjoying your day in your fenced backyard. Although that was about six years ago, we knew it affected you the rest of your life.

Needless to say, your Poppy is very sad. He was with you until the end. He said he loved you more than a lot of people. He loved watching you outrun the others at the dog park. Not only were you the fastest, you always caught balls in your mouth, even as you aged! Your Poppy joked that you never missed a free meal and that you never met a dog that you didn't like. Also, he's proud that you won the, "I can pee longer than you can contest!"

Of course, your brother Bruno misses you too. He looks back when he's eating, checking to see if you're there. When you two were together, neither one would eat without the other being fed too. You always protected him from the raccoons, the squirrels, and even from the buzzards flying high above our house. We're still trying to figure out who mangled the stunk last summer. What a mess that was during the holiday weekend. Looking back, that incident was probably the beginning of your not feeling well. With the skunk spray, coupled the 4th of July bangs, you were surely stressed and difficult to comfort.

My Rockymoto, what a sweet and precious boy you were. You taught me to be patient. When we first brought you home, you were such a puppy spaz that I had a few thoughts about returning you to the shelter. But our connection quickly grew, and you became my faithful friend. With your endless energy and devotion, even on your last day with us, you followed me everywhere both inside and outside of the house. I enjoyed that you followed me around the yard even when I pushed the loud lawn mower. Every day when I did my doggie chores, you were always by my side. Even after your passing, I still look for your daily presents in your favorite spots.

I know that you loved me; we bonded from the beginning. My pure black American Labrador, so soft, so loving, and so smart. I was amazed that you were perfectly black for many years, and wanting you to stay that way, I chuckled when you let me pull out your first white hair. That was the last one to come out though, since I knew you would just continue naturally to grey. I already miss combing your coat, petting your head and ears, hanging out with you on the living room floor, and receiving your kisses. I'm sad that I have not yet found your collar in the yard that somehow slipped off of your neck last week.

So gently would you take cookies and treats; you'd take them from my mouth so I could look closely into your eyes. Some of my favorite memories were watching you chew on a brontosaurus rib, while you held it down with your feet, periodically looking up to take a break from chewing, all the while smiling and panting, wagging your tail and just daring anyone to take that bone from you! I also loved watching you gnaw on those blue world balls and I enjoyed seeing you pull off the those raised continents just to leave them on the floor for me to pick up. I would keep buying your favorite USA-made balls even though they were a bit pricey.

We are finding peace in knowing that you are no longer suffering. No amount of medicines could stop the pain that you fought until you could no longer stand or walk. I could not believe that even on our trip to the emergency vet last Easter Sunday, you managed to climb onto the center console in the car as if all was fine. But you quickly laid down with Poppy in the back seat, so I knew you were slipping from us. No longer will you have to be afraid or stressed from the things that bothered you over the last few years; random loud noises, ringing telephones, and neighborhood fireworks have faded.

I look forward until we meet again to talk, walk and run in the meadows. Our God is a God of love and life, and I learned to unconditionally love you as you loved me. God blessed us with the opportunity to care for you, and I am most joyful for that. Until we meet again, know that you are in my heart and I will love you forever.

Love,
Mom