Tribute To Champ
4/11/05

CHAMP

It is with a heavy heart that I let everyone know that Champ has left us.  Champ was at a disadvantage compared to most dogs, he was blinded about a year or year and a half ago. He was unable to adjust to this however; he was in a loving home for the past 4 months. He had become a member of the family and was loved by all.

Champ amazed my neighbors. They found it hard to believe that he was blind when we would be outside. He would walk the yard, counting on me to tell him where his boundaries were. Then he would stop turn towards the clicking of my fingers and sit, waiting for me to call for him in a low voice over and over and would run full force until he heard me say stop. It was a great way of exercising him and him having confidence in me that he would not hit a tree or some other stumbling factor. We had even gotten to the point that he would run and about two feet from me I would say jump and he would go airborne and land in my arms. I will miss that wagging of the tale and coming up to me when I arrived home from work, the kisses that I received, the fact that he thought he was a lap dog and I would try to accommodate him for about an hour. My mom will miss her confidant the one who knew all her secrets and she new he wouldn’t tell anyone. The little guy who new right where his basket of toys were and would pick out the same one each night and bring it to me to play, or the guy who when mom was sick would lie by her bed.

This is hard for me to write…because I saw the good side of my little buddy, but I keep thinking he is in a better place and now has the ability to see again. I was with my buddy until the end making sure he felt my arms around him and heard my voice when he passed. Though we had a short time together… he knew he was loved, just as I know he loved me.

We thank Boxer Angels Rescue, especially Gary and Tina for all their support.  Champ will be remembered as tears are shed for what was taken from him but most of all for the time we had with him.

Good bye my buddy, I wish I could have done more.