We lost a faithful, loyal, smart, vigilant, loving, deep & beautiful soul today. We had to say goodbye to our Mickey, who truly was the best Doagz. Pam and I are just devastated.

People write obits all the time, not only for the dear, but for the not so dear. Eulogies for dogs are not quite as common, but then, neither was Mickey. He was not only our dear, dear compassionate friend and companion, he was our co-conspirator; he was my brother. He deserves at least a few words.

Like us all, there were times in my life, and in Pam’s, over the last 10 years that we had him, when we had stresses, challenges and sadnesses, that brought us to tears. Mickey was always there to cheer us up, with a wet tongue and a blue ball. Mickey was also a reliable and worthy tug-of-war competitor, even if we were not up to the battle; it was as though he knew that a good tug-of-war might be just the remedy, for whatever was bothering the Dadaz, or the Mamaz.

I used to take him for regular walks on the nearby Macomb-Orchard Trail (sometimes 5-7 miles at a time), and while I always picked up his poop, Mickey knew I didn’t like doing it. Typically, he would wait until the next crossroad, where there was a discreet and convenient ditch. Where nature’s call could not be ignored, Mickey would without fail, always wait for the runners, walkers and bicyclists to pass by. And when the coast was clear, he would drop a big one. Just like clockwork.

Pam and I got to know his feelings and moods, and he got to know ours. Ever the gracious host, he made sure that our nieces, Lexi & Annie, were entertained, and he looked forward to visits from his Uncle Derek, Aunt Rachelle, Uncle Philip & Uncle Mark & Aunt Christina. He particularly took to Mark & Christina’s baby, Rosie, ready to play with her, his new Cousin during her visits from out-of-town, and cheerfully munching on toys she had just been given for Christmas.

As Mickey goes on to a heaven, where he can always chase the horses, and he can lie down, pain-free, in cool running creeks of water, our wish is that everyone has a dog like Mickey. Our wish is that everyone has a friend like him too.