On January 4, I lost my best friend, Irwin, who has passed on after 14 amazing fun-filled years. I still remember the day we walked into the PetSmart and saw that “A Forever Home” was visiting. He was the last of Corona’s litter – the only merle puppy and he couldn’t have been cuter. With AFH, he was called “Bobby Blue”, but just a few months earlier in 2006, my favorite adventurous personality, Steve Irwin, died and I knew that by passing along the name Irwin, he would take on that adventurous spirit.
Irwin was our “permanent puppy” – cute-faced and goofy well into adulthood, at times dumber than a box or rocks, and unsure of the world and the people he was convinced would kill us. He was my shadow inside the house, always by my side (even my 5- and 3-year old know when playing hide-and-seek with Daddy, find the dog and you’ll find Daddy). He was an athletic freak, with limitless energy, speed, and jumping ability – often my faithful companion on long runs and trail hikes. If you’ve ever set foot in my house or within eyeshot of him or me, you’d know he took his role of loyal guardian seriously; God help the poor soul who would ever try to hurt me or my family if he was anywhere nearby.
But with my family, he was silly, lovable, soft, and the perfect companion. I can’t believe the day has finally come to say goodbye, but all good things come to an end. I love you, Irwin, and I’ll miss you forever. Thank you for bringing him into our lives, A Forever Home!