A Celebration of Mosby

It has been hard to write this post, especially because in the prior post, which was only 3 weeks ago – and only 2 weeks before we lost Mosby – he was doing so well and things were really looking up. Very briefly, because it still hurts to talk about, Mosby started limping shortly after his trip to the barn. Concerned, I took him to his vet, who suspected a soft tissue injury. It didn’t improve so we took him to the ER vet, who took x-rays, said there were no metastatic lesions, and also suspected a soft tissue injury. They recommended a visit to the rehab vet for a treatment / rehab plan. Unfortunately (or fortunately), the rehab vet saw some suspicious moth-eaten bone on the x-ray, took more x-rays, and we were delivered the news that the osteosarcoma had returned, this time in his right front humerus. Knowing then how much pain he was in, and how he was struggling to get around, we made the decision we knew we had to make for his sake, even if it was one we had no idea we’d have to make so soon. Last Saturday we were able to give him a wonderful day with many of his favorite things (including his very own cheeseburger and a trip to the barn), and last Sunday we let him go, peacefully and with dignity and kisses. He was brave and sweet and loving and trusting to the very end. Our hearts have a Mosby-shaped hole, our house seems empty, and we remain in shock that we lost him so soon.

In an effort to remember the good times, rather than the bad, I wanted to celebrate him here, with pictures and anecdotes. I could probably write a novel, and Mosby deserves one, but this will have to suffice.

I adopted Mosby from a shelter when I was 27 and in law school; in other words, a terrible time to adopt a dog. The shelter called him “Boots” and said his family gave him up because they had “too many dogs.” I like to say I fell in love with him on the internet, because I found him on Petfinder. I’d wanted a big dog for so long. This is the picture I fell in love with, in January of 2008:

Would you have been able to resist? Be honest. I went out to meet him, and while I was sitting with him, he put his paw on my knee. I told them I’d be back the next day. I went home, purchased a crate and some food and a bed, and soon I had my dog, who I renamed Mosby. The first few weeks were a struggle as we got to know each other, and as I realized Mosby definitely had a separation anxiety problem. But I also learned that he was very bright, an awesome runner, and an incredibly sweet dog. We were soon attached at the hip.

The rest of the post is just going to be pictures. Sorry if it’s a picture overload. I saw some article about how people take more photos of their pet than they do their spouse. Sorry, Chris, but I have to say it’s true. I know you did the same, though.

Early Days

The first night. He wasn’t sure if he could trust me, but loved his comforter, which my grandmother made long ago, and which had been my comforter in high school. He was skinny – so skinny that I was afraid, when I went running with him, that someone would say something. But he filled out pretty quickly. He was always in fighting shape.
One of my favorite pictures of him of all time, on one of our first trips to the barn, in a snowy February. Back when the only white on his face was some snow. Mosby was the dog of my dreams.
And he loved to RUN. He was built for it, with a deep, deep chest and a wasp waist and long legs. He was probably happiest when we were running together.

Adventures Through the Years (in no particular order)

Hiking trip to Red River Gorge, I think our first hiking trip with Chris. Mosby loved hiking.
Hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains, the trail went straight up this rock face (see the red trail marker?). Mosby scampered up and looked back at me like “you coming?”
The most tolerant and patient dog – here he posed for me at the head of the table in one of our conference rooms when he came to work with me one day. But he definitely made sure to show how painful my antics were.
We only made it to the coast once or twice with him. Here he is in the water at my grandparents’ house. This was the depth he liked – enough to cool his belly. No deeper. He was fascinated by the sound of the waves in the tall grass.
When we took our engagement photos, of course Mosby and Arlo were in them. The photographer took some photos of Mosby by himself. I love this one of him overseeing “his” lake.
Another thing that Mosby loved was supervising Chris in his garden.
Of many things I made him do, one time I made him get up on this jump, designed to look like the barn where Arlo lives. Mosby again looks like he’s rolling his eyes. What a good boy.
Mosby loved carrots. He’d dig them up in Chris’s garden.
Sleeping was another of Mosby’s favorite activities. He was super, super chill. I bet he was even chill as a puppy.
I got to take Mosby to work with me when I worked for a Judge. He was a favorite there, but the clerks bought him treats and he gained about 10 pounds. He also talked people out of their lunches.
Mosby loved to squeeze next to me on the couch. I love this picture, as he looks back at me. Such a sweet dog. He actually didn’t love the camera and usually looks kind of pained in photos; he must not have known I was taking a picture.
Mosby in his luxury suite in the back of my SUV. He had a bed back there and was an awesome traveler. Here we were heading to Virginia for Christmas. Look at his tail wagging. He loved going on adventures with me.
I think this is the same Christmas. It snowed, and we ran around. He also caught snowballs. That’s his blanket, that he always wore in the winter, as he got cold easily. It says “Mosby.”
He loved my parents’ mountain house, too. Lots of hiking, fresh air, wildlife, and treats.
This is one of our engagement photos, and one of our favorites. Can you tell we loved him?
Post-amputation, on the front porch of our old house. Older and wiser. Still handsome.
Our family. <3
One of his favorite activities, in one of his favorite locations, a leather chair. He had good taste.
A couple of years ago at our old house, which was on a creek. So handsome.
At my grandparents’ house, enjoying the sounds and smells.
The stinker in yet another leather chair. What a perfect dog.

We Love You, Mosby

We and Mosby were so unlucky in much over the last 6 months. But we were lucky to have a day and a half last weekend to love on him and spoil him rotten. I’d have preferred years but a day and a half is what we had, so we made the best of it.

Last trip to the barn. We took so many photos. He was my boy.
We went to Starbucks just to get him a puppaccino.
I love this photo of him on the front porch of our new home. I think that he liked this house.
He got his own prime rib cheeseburger, complete with ketchup and pickles, and ate it so nicely.
And, of course, we had to give him some pasta, the love of his life. I always said he was like his mama, never met a carb he didn’t like. We loved sharing pasta. This pasta was all. his. own.

Mosby, you were so, so, so loved. I hope you knew that. I’m so sorry you were in pain the last few weeks. I would have done anything to make you feel better. You had an epic life and you are missed every hour of every day.

 

18 thoughts on “A Celebration of Mosby”

  1. An epic life for an epic dog. And now the dog of your dreams will be in your dreams for all time, never far from you and always young and healthy. That is the beauty of getting out of our broken bodies and into our celestial ones. Mosby will always be the puppy you fell in love with on the internet, even in your dreams.

    Thank you so much for telling the story of how you met and how much he filled your life with joy. You traveled a long road together and it’s an honor to walk with you on even a smidgen of it.

    Long Live the Colonel’s beautiful spirit, may his loving pawsonality light up the heavens for all our Tripawd heroes.

    xoxo

    Reply

    1. Thank you. He was so special to us; we really tried to take him everywhere and include him in everything. He was such an important part of our family.

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  2. What an awesome tribute to your wonderful Mosby. I can see from your photos that Mosby absolutely knew how much you loved him, as well as see how much he loved you. You gave him the best life ever and then, that final gift of release from the body that was failing him. It is SO hard but it is also such a privilege to, as you said, be able to let our furry friends go peacefully, with their dignity intact and on their terms, not ours.

    Run free Mosby!

    And peace to you and Chris.
    Xoxo,
    Martha, Codie Rae and the Oaktown Pack

    Reply

  3. I love this tribute post for your boy. What an incredible life he had with his family. There’s no way he didn’t feel loved and treasured every day he had with you. I really loved getting to go through these memories and getting to know sweet sweet Mosby a bit better. He is such a very special dog and had a life of adventure and happy memories. I love the snow picture too with the powder on his nose. He even has his own little horse blanket for the snow – so cute. I’m so impressed he could hike that rock face like that! He was even able to win over the attorneys and negotiate a deal for free food – good job Colonel. Those last pictures of your special send off are so precious. What a kind thing you did for him. I’m so glad you found him online and gave him the very special life he so deserved!
    Much love to you and thank you for sharing your Mosby with us.
    ❤️Amy & Rusty
    PS please continue to share memories as they come to you I know we would all love to hear them.

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  5. I was so sad to read that Mosby crossed the Bridge. He had an amazing life filled with love and you shared that beautifully in this tribute.

    Lifting you up in light and love,
    Jeanette & Angel Boone 🐾🌈

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    1. Thank you. We certainly tried to give him an amazing life. He was so special to us. As Boone was to you.

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  6. :(…. Thank you for your post, it was absolutely beautiful – but now I’m crying again… I (we) know your pain and your loss. So very sorry.
    w

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  7. I am sorry for the sudden turn – it happened to us, too, and I understand how shocked you were and what it is like to have that rug pulled out from under you.

    I love all these photos of the wonderful, adventure filled life Colonel Mosby had with you and I hope these memories bring solace over time. Wising you comfort and wishing Mosby the sweetest dreams.

    Lisa

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    1. Thanks. Having the rug pulled from under us is a good way to describe it.

      The memories will definitely help over time, I think.

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  8. We didn’t need to “meet” Mosby “person”. This Celebration of Life Tribute and the past half year showed us more about who Mosby is than any one on one “meeting” ever good!!!

    Through your words of remembrances and beautiful pictures, you have weaved the two together in a way that honors the TRUE essence of who Mosby is. In ine of the .ost beautiful tributes I’ve seen here, you have allowed us to peer into the Soul of Mosby.

    You have let us travel with you from the day you picked up that PRECIOUS BEAUTIFUL BOY and took him ho e, and through the day when yiu celebrate him home.

    And @et me say this right now…..we can NEVSR, EVER have too many photos of the Colonel! Whether he’s imitating a Mounain Goat as he hikes steep rocky cliffs with you…or chilling in HIS leather chair…or picking carrots out of HIS garden…or loving the snow snd everything about nature……what stands out the most is HOW LOVED EVERY SINGLE MOMENT OF EVERY SJNGLE DAY THE COLONEL MOSBY IS!! 🙂

    These pictures DEFINE LOVE! These pictures DEFINE FAMILY! These pictures DEFINE DEVOTION!!

    And, perhaps most importantly, these pictures DEFINE HOW HAPPY MOSBY IS EVERY SINGLE MOMENT HE WAS HERE ON EARTH WITH YOU.

    I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing us the privilege to get to know Mosby. Thank you for sharing this priceless family album with us.

    I hope, sincerely hope, you will continue to share more of Mosby and these magical memories. Sure, Ive shed some tears as I get to know Mosby even better…but they are tears of love that go along with the smiles as I celebrate this magnificent Soul named Colonel Mosby. I stand in line with all the others to salute you! 🙂

    And I KNOW you are sooooo proud at how your Mom honored you today!!! Soooo proud!!

    From my heart

    Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie

    Reply

    1. Thanks, Sally. You always put things so nicely. He was our boy and was integrated into everything that we did. That’s part of what makes it so hard. It’s definitely like missing a part of me. Mosby was one of a kind, the perfect dog, and will be missed every day for the rest of my life. I’m glad you appreciated my tribute.

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  9. I love your pictures. What a beauty Mosby was. He had a wonderful life. How lucky for him to have found you way back when life was different. Isn’t it amazing to reflect on all the changes the two of your went through together? And all of the adventures? A dog’s life is only long enough to make a magical, colorful splash. Hardly seems right. Just think of how well adjusted and happy he is on the other side after his life with you, even if it’s hard for him to see you sad.

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  10. What a special treasure you shared with your photos of Mosby. Such a beautiful boy. He loved you so much…it was easy to see. I hope your heart is healing with the memories of the wonderful life you gave him and the love he had for you

    Reply

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