On January 28, 2014, our family went to Eleventh Hour Rescue in Rockaway, NJ. A pet adoption organization dedicated to saving the lives of innocent animals on death row.

We saw the first dog, a beautiful German Sheperd mix. German Sheperds have always been my favorite dogs. But this dog wanted one thing, to get out of the room we were in.

Then they brought in this larger than normal Jack Russell mutt, named Sparky. He was not quite as handsome as the other dog. His tail was docked, so it was a little stumpy thing! But that stumpy tail was wagging a mile a minute and Sparky only wanted each of us to pet him and let him lick us.

We did see a few other dogs. But when the time came it was unanimous…stumpy tail, and all, Sparky was the one. We took Sparky home and renamed him Doby. We even named his stumpy tail Herme. 9.5 years of unconditional love, hundreds of laughs, so many nicknames and songs (customized about Doby). The most protective, amazing watch dog. He slept in bed with my wife and me for the past 8 plus years. Or should I say, we slept with him…in his bed! We had to go from a queen to a king size bed to accommodate Doby!

Last August, Doby went through 2 major abdominal surgeries. We thought he was lost. He not only survived, but he also made such an amazing comeback. What a champ! He trekked miles of paths, hills and rock scrambles, with his big brother Michael and me. He pulled this old man up many a mountain in the past 8 months. Always pausing to look back to see that I was still there and OK. But more probably saying “c’mon old geezer, get a move on!”

A few weeks ago, he was acting not quite himself. I took him in to the vet, and they found some disturbing shadows around his spleen and right lung. Yeah, there it was, cancer!! The oncologist gave us options, but there was only one for our family. Make him comfortable and spoil the shit out of him. We knew we would not let them do any invasive testing, or chemo and diminish what would be a short life anyway.

The time finally came, and thanks to Dr. McCaffrey and Jill, we humanely ended his illness, before he suffered too much. Doby was where he was most comfortable. He died peacefully in his outdoor bed, with us all holding him.

It’s amazing, the love an animal brings to a family, to people. We are truly devastated but will always smile and laugh when we tell ourselves the tales of Doby (Shnookerdoo, Shnookers, Gagoots, and many more)! Rest peacefully now our little buddy. Thank you for choosing us as your faithful family.