Mocha

My dearest pet, Mocha, was only with us for less than 5 years but will always be in our hearts and thoughts. I was always a dog lover ever since I was young. When I was ~11yrs old my Dad got us a stray pup, Fritz, who was a shepherd collie mix. Fritz was a super smart dog and lived almost 15 yrs.

I always knew I'd get a dog of my own after I married but it took awhile. Then in spring of 2002 when my youngest boy was 4 we went to a local adoption center to find a puppy of our own. My husband had stayed home and it was myself and our 2 boys out looking for the first time. I figured we'd just look but once I set eyes on that freckled face I had to have him. We found out he was an australian shepherd and lab mix. He had been one of a litter of 6 and was the only pup left. I can see why because he was such a gorgous creature!! We took him home 6 days later. He was a challenge the first couple of years because of his wild aussie genes but he was very trainable and was so good to us all. In 2005 my father became seriously ill with cancer and we worried our Mocha would be too wild but by instinct he was extra gentle and caring with him. In fact he always sensed when anyone of us wasn't feeling well and would stick close by. Jan 5th I became ill with an ear infection. Mocha was right beside me and kept me company while I was convalescing. I hadn't been able to get out and drive until almost a week after I was treated with antibiotics ( pills and ear drops) On tuesay jan 16th I decided to take Mocha for the 40 min car trip to see the ENT one last visit. He and I got home just a bit before my eldest got off the bus. I allowed Mocha to run out to see Neil and he ran around the yard in the newly fallen snow. He loved the snow. We had made our way up the drive to the front door and Mocha made one more run and slipped right out into the road and the rear wheel of my son's bus which had come back around as it has a few stops right around our area. He was killed instantly. oh I miss him so. We have a new puppy but I will always cherish the short time we had Mocha.

Catherine Waffenschmidt