You will always be my dog, and you've been a wonderful companion. We had a good run, 15 years is a long time. When you came home to us, I was a totally different person than I am now. A lot has changed for me: interests, talents, preferences. Back then I even begged for you to be named Sterling, so Mom and Dad let that be your "middle name" just to please me. But you've been there all along, a reliable member of the family.
I remember all the days when you'd come jump on my bed (this was back when you could still jump). You were smart enough to figure out how to open my door, and you'd pounce on me and perk up your ears while letting your tongue hang out. It was hard not to smile, and you never seemed to care what all was going on.
Come to think of it, you were great at just hanging out. It didn't take you long to figure out that Patrick and I loved video games and tv, and rather than chew up our stuff, you quickly learned to veg out with us in front of the tv too. Over the years, you've even taught us the fine art of power napping! (You scared mom a couple times when you wouldn't wake up).
Sure you had your quirks and weird habits, like chewing up my toothbrush a couple times (what was up with that?). There were a few others that I won't mention! You also drove mom nuts when you threw up on the carpet, but we still haven't told her you were mostly nervous about Favre coming back from retirement. Overall you always gave things a good effort though, even when you were totally confused with what was really going on (like when we wrestled with dad).
There were a couple times where you paced so much that mom figured out we were up to something (why couldn't you have just gone and taken a nap, you got us in trouble!)
I won't forget your bad breath or how bad you made the car stink on long trips, but I guess we still enjoyed having you around. After all, you've got some serious skills. You could play football like nobody's business, and even though you had a short memory, you were pretty decent at finding us playing hide-and-go-seek. You had a pretty good set of tricks, and even when you couldn't roll over anymore, you still tried your best.
I remember how much you loved the first snow of the year, you'd rub your nose in the snow and run around like crazy! I also remember that you would just lay down when your feet got cold, and we had to come get you (not fun). I don't think I've known anyone who liked popcorn more, if you could have pulled it off, I think you would have stood on one leg to get a piece of popcorn!
All in all, though, your best skill was survival. Koby the Wonderdog, the dog with 9 (or more) lives! You stared certain death in the face numerous times, and we still don't have a clue how you survived most of them! I've got a picture of the two of us that is probably ten years old now, from when the vet said you had less than 24 hours left to live.
Well Koby, it's finally over. Now it's time to show the world your finest trick. We always asked you if you'd rather be a Democrat, or be dead. You've never chosen Democrat, so it's fitting to see you pass on in peace. Rest well, old friend.
