This weekend, I lost my best friend in the whole world: my dog, Hopkins. Hopkins, or "Hoppy" as he was known to most, was the most wonderful, sweet soul this planet has ever known, and the world is just a tad bit darker now without him. Orgers will know Hopkins from my alternate account, that I created in honor of him. On those "Ask Hopkins The Corgi" threads, I answered questions, in character, as I imagined Hoppy would.



I first laid eyes on Hoppy in the spring of 1992. I was in a pet shop with my then-girlfriend, and I saw him behind the counter in a kennel. Hoppy was a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, a breed I had an affinity for, since I'd had one as a child. I inquired about this adorable pup, and found out that the owner of the shop actually owned his mother, who had just had a litter. Myla, the owner, allowed me to go into a private room to spend some time with him. He instantly became my dog. He was spunky, energetic, and had a wonderful smile. Oh yes, he actually smiled! Some may doubt this, but all you need to do is ask anyone who has ever met him and they will verify this: Hoppy always greeted you with a huge smile!

Hoppers loved everyone, regardless of whether or not he had just met them or not. He loved other dogs, cats and pretty much every other animal he came across. When my ex-wife brought home a pet rat, he instantly loved her as well. He played for hours with various cats that he knew, and would become quite distressed when a stray kitty he spotted hissed and ran off. He could never understand why they didn't want to play with him. When Elayne bought a Dachshund pup, he decided that she was HIS, and assumed we had gotten her especially for him. He was filled with love, and never seemed to have a lack of it. Moreover, the love he had was unconditional, free of any constraints whatsoever. If I scolded him for raiding the garbage, he would hang his head and beg for forgiveness, only wanting to be back in my good graces again. He never held a grudge, even if I lost my temper with him and yelled. He continued to love me through and through.

Children were especially dear to Hoppy, perhaps because he sensed their innocence, or maybe because they had the boundless energy that he did. Whatever the reason, he always perked up in the presence of kids. When I moved in with my wife, he instantly bonded with my step-kids. Up until recently, he would spend his nights patrolling back and forth between their rooms, keeping watch over them. My son would ask every night to have me bring Hoppy to his room. He brought a sense of security to them, even though he was hardly a ferocious attack dog. Something about his personality made the kids feel safe knowing he was watching over them.

Hopkins was a constant in my life throughout the past decade and a half that has passed since I first got him. Many of my friends that I have today have only known me with him. He outlasted numerous girlfriends, friendships, roommates and jobs. He was with me as I moved to dozens of places, and was often the only stable thing in my life. When I was down, he was always by my side, offering up his total and complete love. There were times in my life when I felt abandoned by all the people in my life, but I always knew that Hoppy was there for me, comforting me with the knowledge that he truly cared.

Almost everyone who met him, loved him. He was as much of a friend to many of the people in my life as I was. My niece, Annie, often has said that Hopkins is the standard by which she judges all other dogs. Like many of my friends and family, she bonded with him when sleeping over at my apartment. Anytime I had a visitor, Hoppy would sleep in the room with them, watching over them in much the same way he would later do to my kids. He was a considerate host, and made sure that our guests were safe from harm. Over the weekend, as I called friends and family, the reaction was no different than if I had told of a beloved human dying. He totally and completely became a friend to all those who met him. For those who doubt this, he has already had two other blogs posted in his memory by people who loved him. You can read them here:

http://blog.myspace.com/i...a09856132a

and here:

http://blog.myspace.com/i...cc95a472e0

Those who never met him may question this, thinking he was "just a dog", but they would be wrong. He was so much more than simply a dog. He was a friend, compatriot, confidant and comforter. To me, he was a son.

A wise man once said (and forgive me that I forget the author) that God created dogs as an example to humans of the loyalty and unconditional love that he has for us, and wants us to show others, and that is why the word "dog" is the mirror image of "God". Dogs are a reflection of the pure, unrestrained love of our creator. Never was this more exemplified than in the love expressed by Hopkins.

Hoppy died Friday at 10:30 in the evening. He was in our backyard, and I heard him barking (which he hadn't done much of in the past several months as his health declined). I went to investigate, and I knew in my soul that he was about to leave this life. For the last couple hours of his life, I sat in the grass holding and petting him. He went to sleep, and peacefully exited this world. In the last few moments, his little legs began to move as if he were running, and as he died a breeze passed over me. When I called my parents to tell them the news, they volunteered to come out in the middle of the night to retrieve his body. They took care of cremating him, and arranged for a keepsake to be made for me. This kind of concern and care is a testament to my pup's impact on this world. Some people claim that animals have no spirits of their own, but I challenge anyone who thinks this to talk to those who knew my Corgi. He had a soul that humans should aspire to.

Words fail to express how much I will miss this dog. He truly was my best friend, and so much more. I know that he is free of pain and suffering now, and for that I am relieved. My grandfather, who passed away back in 1998, had an affinity for Hopkins as well, and I take some comfort in knowing that he is keeping him company now. My world will never be the same from here on out, but I don't regret for a minute that I had him in my life. He enriched me, and so many others, and for that I am eternally thankful.

Hopkins, I look forward to the day when I will see you again. Heaven is an even better place to be now that you're there.

Lord Hopkins of Pemlea (AKC Registered Name) AKA, "Hoppy" or "Hoppers" March 1st, 1992 - January 5th, 2007. Rest in Peace, my friend


"...and it may seem selfish now, but I'll hold onto the memories until all this fear is washed away. Do you believe in love? Do you believe in life? Because I believe a little part of you inside of me will never die"-Simon Le Bon

aww so sorry for you loss

I'm so sorry. Dogs are the best.

Ps. Isn't it sad, when 'I HAD A DREAM HUNG MY BEST FRIEND' gets more responses than this?




it
[Edited 1/8/07 8:50am]

I'm so sorry, hon. I remember Hoppy's threads well I always wanted to set him up with my sister's Corgi, Julie.



I hope Hoppy rests in peace.

Sorry to hear - the loss of a pet is devastating. He sounds like he was a great puppy.

Oh that's terrible. I love Corgis. I had a hard time even reading what you wrote because I'm so attached to my pets as well.

For Hoppy

for you


this thread made cry


Sending you love and healing

Mach

I'm sorry for your loss.

That's really nice though that he passed away peacefully and you were able to be there with him, he probabbly appreciated that.

Corgi's are such cute dogs!

Very sorry to hear of your loss.

I've lost a dog before and its very painful.

Keep you head up!

peace

so sad. I hate losing pets.

for Hoppy...sorry about your loss..I lost 2 pets at the same time right before this past Christmas..prayers are with you

I am so sorry.

I am so sorry about the loss of your beloved friend.

Sorry to hear that you lost your best friend. It's obvious how much love you had for him and you described your feelings beautifully.

I am sorry for your loss.

I'm so sorry.

very sorry for your loss

i'm so sorry dave.

Your post made me cry.

I'm sorry for your loss. What a beautiful testament.

To you at your time of loss.

Hold on to those memories.

"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."

Will Rogers

He sounds just like my noodles, I am so sorry 2 hear about you and your family and friends loss JediMaster

When God had made the Earth and sky,
The flowers and the trees

He then made all the animals
And all the birds and bees.

And when his work was finished,
Not one was quite the same.

He said, 'I'll walk this earth of mine,
And give each one a name,'

And so he travelled land and sea,
And everywhere he went

A little creature followed Him
Until his strength was spent.

And when all were named upon the Earth,
And in the sky and sea,

The little creature said,'Dear Lord,
There's not one left for me!'

The Father smiled and softly and said:
'”I've left you till the end.

I've turned my own name back to front,
And called you DOG, My Friend”.

gemini13 said:

yea, it got me crying too.

I'm sooooo sorry. Corgi's are very loveable. A friend of mine had three.

xxoo
M

So sorry, nothing can replace a beloved pet.

I'm sorry.

Dogs are awfully special creatures. . . sounds like yours lived a good, long life.