Joe came into my life at a time when I was lonely. I needed a friend, and I found it in him. He shook my hand at the humane society, and I knew we were meant to be. Unbeknownst to me at the time, he was heartworm positive. I committed myself to seeing him healthy again because that’s what he deserved. Six months and some intense treatments later, he was heartworm-free. In a way, we both healed each other.
He came to Wyoming all the way from North Carolina and then moved with me to Colorado. We fell in love with my now-husband, and I think he ultimately ended up becoming Joe’s favorite human. He was a boy’s boy, for sure.
I found a job in a pet-friendly office, and he came to work with me every day. He always looked forward to my boss’s (the treat guy’s) arrival. We were hardly ever apart from one another. On a few occasions, he came with me from work to school, and I have fond memories of him being with me on my final school days, cheering me on (and also side-eyeing me from the front door— a 15-hour day is a long time for a dog!).
He was with us through all of our major milestones: my husband’s graduation from school, my own graduation, getting a shiny new last name, buying a house, getting his own backyard, and meeting his human baby brother. He was a very patient old man and loved his tiny human.
Even though we weren’t ready to say goodbye, he was ready. We sent him off on his next journey peacefully, with grateful hearts, knowing we gave him the best and longest life he could have ever asked for. From the beginning to the very end, all he knew was love. There will never be another dog like Joe. We will miss him so much.
The Fox and the Hound forever.💜