My beloved Loki,
It’s been nearly a decade since you entered my life, a moment etched in my heart forever. I can still see you, abandoned on the street in front of my house, trembling with uncertainty, wondering what you’d done to deserve such a fate. The moment I opened my door to you, you stepped in with a quiet kindness, cautious but trusting, as I searched for any trace of where you’d come from, hoping no one was missing you.
You found a friend in Bella, my other dog, and the two of you became inseparable. I loved watching you play, your mischievous antics bringing joy to our home. Coffee filters became collateral damage in your adventures, but I didn’t mind, I cherished seeing you both so full of life. When Bella’s time came, I saw the weight of her loss in your eyes, a reflection of my own grief. We mourned her together, you and I, missing a piece of our world.
Our trips to the park were always an adventure. You’d race around, never straying far from my side, your loyalty unwavering. I’ll never forget the day you mastered fetching a ball, stealing the show from a patient stranger trying to train her own dog. She smiled and praised your spirit, hoping her pup would follow your lead. When my arm tired of throwing, we switched to frisbees, and I was awestruck by how quickly you learned to snatch them from the air. You leaped with the grace of a dancer, twisting mid-flight, once even attempting a daring backflip. That landing didn’t go as planned, but you learned, and I slept soundly knowing you were the guardian against low-flying objects.
What I treasure most is how you were always there for me. Every day, from the moment I walked through the door, you were by my side, reading my mood without a word. On good days, you made them unforgettable; on bad days, your gentle presence turned them around, coaxing a smile from me no matter the weight I carried. With you, my house wasn’t just a place, it was a home, filled with warmth and love. For that, I am eternally grateful.
You showed me the extraordinary heart of a German Shepherd, intelligent, loyal, and eager to please. You inspired me to open my door to other lost shepherds, welcoming them with patience until they found their forever homes. Through it all, you remained my constant, my rock. When I started the USGSD shelter, you were my guiding star, offering silent strength and unwavering support.
As the years passed, I watched you grow from a spirited young pup into a wise leader among our pack of temporary misfits. You were the one steady presence in my life. Now, looking back, I ache for those moments. I see you now, still sharp and spirited, but holding back the urge to run and play as time slows us both. We’ve walked a path together that we cannot turn back from.
You were always a gift from God, a treasure of joy and memories I’d live again in a heartbeat. But the best gifts, I’ve learned, are often fleeting. The day I’ve dreaded has come, and I feel God calling you home. I am powerless to stop it, the time has come for you to pass from my loving hands to God’s loving arms. You are, and will always be, my best friend. As you travel on to your new journey, I shall grieve your loss, fore that is the price we pay for love. And, though my heart will ache, it will forever hold a place only you can fill.
I will carry you with me always, Loki, and I look forward to the day we meet again. With all my love, thank you for choosing me, for making my life brighter, and for being my truest friend.
Forever yours…
Kevin Mollet