On Nov 20, 2009 in the dark of night intruders walked onto our property and into the domain of our beautiful stud male Romeo. Their original intentions whether to rob or just vandalize I don’t know. In the end I guess it doesn’t matter as the result is the same. At some point these lowlifes saw Romeo’s 8 week old children and desired one for their own, but as their wicked fingers stretch toward his helpless young something awoke from deep inside my little man. Perhaps he sensed their evil intentions. Maybe is was just the fact I wasn’t there and that seemed odd to him, but his teeth began to snap at greedy hands and little claws to dig at filthy arms. Romeo protected his young, that night, but it cost him dearly. In the end my dear friend and companion was dead. I can honestly say I’ve never been more proud of my dog for what he did that night and yet so sad at the loss my dear friend.

He was just a dog, I know, but in some ways he was more. Whenever my wife or I was sad he was there with his playful face and wagging tail to lift our spirits. He was there to see us off to work no matter how early or to await our return no matter how late. He was always up for a drive, or better yet the thrill of a brisk evening jog. No more will his smiling face welcome us home. No more will he alert me to the arrival of friends. No more games of fetch for us. Yes, dear Romeo, you will be sorely missed here at Mike’s Little Tykes. You will not be forgotten and you cannot be replaced.