R.I.P. HOBIE!

we tragically lost our "BIG BOY" today! Hobie was born October 9, 2002. Brian found a for sale listing for Boxer Puppies listed by the Davi family in Pittsburg, CA. We knew instantly that the dog, originally named Rocky, jumping on top of the other puppies to get our attention, was the perfect Boxer Dog for us. We brought HOBIE (we changed his name) to our home on November 22, 2002.

As I fight back tears writing this post, I want so much for Hobie to know how much we will miss him, how much fun we had with him and how much we LOVED him!

We'll miss his greediness for our spot on the couch; his cuddly warmth as he would lay his head on our lap; his sloppy jaw that launched slobber onto walls, clothes, and people; his whimper while dreaming; his smile when you rubbed his belly and talked baby talk to him; when he would rub his face all over my bathroom towel; the way he would follow you and even if you asked him to stop, he'd end right back beside you almost tripping you; the way he'd follow Brian everywhere around the house, the garage and backyard and always sitting at arms length; the way he'd always want to box with Uncle Mike for the fun of boxing; the way he'd always manage to sneak around my mom as soon as she entered the house and poke his cold wet nose under her skirt; when he'd ignore you and roll his eyes as if to say "GEEZ, WHAT?!"; the protection I felt when Brian was away on business trips; how he'd place his paws on the window sill to peak at whomever was ringing the doorbell; the way he'd fight to sit in the front seat if the door was opened, and then sit firm of his butt while I tried my damndest to lift him into the bed of the truck; the way he'd proudly walk beside, or pull in front of me while I took him for a walk; the poop along the backyard fence; not having him to yell at when he'd pee on the grape vine, or newly planted flowers; sneaking into the house by sliding open the screen door; his playfulness with the girls; dancing with me in the kitchen; running around hysterically every time Brian took of his belt and snapped it; the way he'd rip open the paper to his Christmas presents; or the fact that he hated every dog treat, and would sniff any sort of people food for at least 5 minutes before deciding it was worth eating, and having me slice the girls left over hot dogs! So much more could be said about Hobie, how lucky we are to have him in our lives for over 7 years!

Just before dinner tonight, Sierra gave me an envelope with a note inside and said "I wrote a letter for Hobie, it says: "I wish I could play with you."

Hobie's life was full of love from all of us, and his love in return will never be forgotten.

As much of a lover Hobie was to his family, he was also a fighter - Boxer! Ready to protect us, but also stubborn and at times a HOBITCH. HA!

When reading this, remember to take nothing for granted, because things in life can quickly change and/or come to an end. I always knew losing a pet would be hard, but I never imagined the sadness which would overwhelm me - - "it's a dog", I've heard some people say, but he was MY/OUR dog [my son] whom we shared our lives with for 7 years and it sadly, quickly came to an end. Hobie: May you have comfort in heaven knowing you'll always be in our hearts and we thank you for all the great memories - we'll MISS YOU!

I am doing everything to keep Hobie's memory alive!! My heart aches everyday with guilt and sadness. I will never truly cope with the death of Hobie - but I've learned that by coping I may forget. Therefore, I have found ways to keep his memory phyically and emotionally a part of our everyday lives, which is bringing me a small amount of peace. I never want to risk the chance of forgetting all the happiness he brought our family!