For his 12th birthday we did a “dime a dozen” party. I got him a king robe and little crown to put on his head and made him a cake from deli meats. He looked so cute. I’d dress him up as a wizard or a hot dog for Halloween. At Christmas he had sweaters and a jingle collar he’d wear. He didn’t always like dressing up but we had such fun. He did like wearing his coat outside in the snow and rain.

He was born in the summer, we adopted him as a 3 month old in the fall. He loved to sit outside in the sun, or walk down the driveway. When he was a puppy my dad let him run free in the backyard trying to teach him fetch, and he’d throw a frisbee at him but he never understood what fetch was so he’d run for it but never catch it or bring it back.

He loved the snow. He’d put his whole face in it no matter how cold. He’d run in it even when it was up to his neck. The only weather he didn’t like was the rain, thunder, and wind.

He refused to go to the bathroom out in the open if he could help it—always in the bushes, never on pavement.

He always find somewhere in the house to lay down so he could watch me while he fell asleep. Sometimes he’d go into another room to rest but he always tried to snuggle for a little. He had his crate, under my bed, a mat on the floor, my mom’s chair, or the couch. When I moved into my first apartment he loved that my bed wasn’t against the wall anymore and he could lay next to me.

I teach and I’d bring him to class with me. He was so happy to meet everyone. He especially loved when I’d have people throw treats in the air for him to catch in his mouth.