I originally wrote and posted this on Facebook two years ago today. I’ve edited a little here and there, but the core is still the same, as is my love for our sweet Kirby.

2006 – 6/30/2020

Mr Wiggle-Butt, Kirby was the absolute best dog a person could ask for. His Gotcha Day was September 8, 2007. He was surrendered by his previous owners because he piddled in the house when they’d get home. Not a problem for us, we figured he was young and would gain better control as he grew older. In the meantime, he was let out to run around as soon as we got home – problem solved! We found him at a No More Homeless Pets event and had Arwyn’s approval immediately. She grinned from ear to ear the rest of the day because she now had a playmate and they were best of friends from the start. 

Arwyn may have been his buddy, but his favorite person in the whole world was my son, J–. He was his boy. Even when J– went off to college and wasn’t home for months, at times years, Kirby just couldn’t contain his joy upon reuniting with his boy. Bouncing, jumping and piddling in his excitement. 

When big sister Arwyn somehow got out of the back yard and tried to convince him to take a sniffing tour of the neighborhood,  he stayed all by himself in the front yard,  guarding the house. He loved going for walks, but if his collar slipped off, it was like his legs were cut out from under him until it was back on. Eventually he expanded his territory to include Girlfriend T—’s house across the street as she would take care of the dogs when we were away. He would wait patiently at her gate until someone noticed him and let him in for a visit. 

Kirby loved balls- tennis balls, deflated basket balls, volley balls,  and most of all, squeaky balls. The day he learned you could combine squeaky toys with balls to make a squeaky ball was a mind-blowing day for him. He was surprisingly gentle with all his toys though. He’d play fetch and tug-o-war, but rarely so rough that those toys suffered. But when they did start to spill their fluff, he made quick work of the evisceration. 

Toward the end of his life, he was a favorite at the dog park. Many people greeted and pet him and the other dogs somehow understood he couldn’t see. He loved to just wander around, following the fence, then lay down and soak up some sun. When I said it was time to go, he’d struggle to his feet, wait for the leash to guide him and toddle off to the car, accepting help calmly all the way

The old boy was in pain for a while back in 2020 with arthritis throughout his body and we just couldn’t sit by and let him continue to suffer.  So we let him go two years ago this evening . He is no longer in pain but our hearts are breaking.  We love you Kirby.  You truly were the best dog a family could ask for.