[Blueface]

I tried to digest it from the perspective of someone not having a dog and see why I feel as lousy as I do today.

I consider Champ was my true first dog.
I had one when I was 18 or so but had to get rid of it in less than a month due to calls to the police due to his barking. I was going to be hit with some hard fines if I didn't.

Since then, until the age of 37 or so, when we moved to Florida, never had that dog I longed for. NJ and our lifestyle was not conducive to having one as we were never home.

When we moved to Florida and were living at a hotel, as we awaited the closing for our house, just days before the closing, we visited a pet shop a mile or so from or new to be home. We instantly fell in love with this little guy. He was so, so shy. So fluffy white. He looked like snow with three black dots for his eyes and nose.

Champ stayed at the Embassy Suites in Boca Raton with us for a few days prior to the closing and then as we awaited the painting of the home and our furniture to arrive. When we moved to our new home, it was our entire family doing so, along with Champ. He walked in as a new family member to help us begin our new lives, in a new state, new schools, new friends, new co-workers and so on.

Champ has had a great life with us. He has stayed at some of the finest places imaginable. Champ was a guest at the 4-5 star resort Sheraton in Bal Harbour, which unfortunately is no longer there.
Champ stayed in Key West and was treated as royalty in restaurants there.
Champ stayed in the Hilton in Key Largo.
Champ flew in the cabin, on our laps, to NJ and back to Florida. They normally don't allow them out of the bag but he was so cute and well behaved that the flight attendant suggested it to us.

Champ has been known as our "grumpy old man" for much of the last few years. I guess as with us, grumpiness comes with age for them also. That grumpiness has made him even more endearing. He is Simba's (Yorkie) best friend and the two cannot be apart. They go in the same crate together when left at home or when at the vet or groomer as otherwise Simba will let you have an earful.

Champ thinks he owns my bed and I truly believe he thinks he just happens to share it with the wife and I.

I truly recognize Champ has given my entire family 13+ great years. He has allowed me to enjoy being around him. He has been a great companion. He has instinctively known when we hurt and he has been there to comfort us. As much as I hurt right now knowing his days are truly numbered, I am grateful for having had him around as I would have otherwise not have had such great fond memories. To some, they are just dogs - they are not human. While true and while I do recognize that, it just sucks that I do happen to be human and I love him very dearly.

How long will Champ be around beyond today is a guess. His tumor is cancerous. It has shown to be extremely aggressive as evidenced by such a rapid return. Regardless, I now must mentally prepare to be ready to bid my great friend farewell. I know I have done all I can do within reason. I know at some point in the near future, I will have to make a dreadful trip that will be one way for him and will have a brutal return for me. I hope when that day comes, I am a heck of a lot stronger than I am right now. I will have these words and thoughts here at our home away from home to remind me of how much he has meant to me.