Anyone who has spent any time with us over the last 10 years knows Kobe. He is one of those animals you just don't forget. He reminds you about all that is good and pure in the world. To some it might sound crazy, but he was so deeply loyal, gentle and loving that in many ways he taught and inspired us. If more people were like Kobe, our relationships would be unconditionally loving, free of conflict and our days would be filled with smiles and spooning:)
During our time in Uganda, our beloved Kobe passed away from a ruptured splenic tumor. He was healthy and happy right up until the tumor took him suddenly. Being so far away was deeply painful, but we were able to say our goodbyes by cell phone: Clay with the harmonica and me with a teary thank you for 10 amazing years of companionship. My Dad so graciously oversaw his care at the end and held the phone to his ear. He told us that Kobe most definitely heard us and perked up for one last tail wag.
This is a tribute to his remarkable, golden life:
20 reasons we will always remember Kobe:- He went to college classes with Jess for two years, sitting in on lectures, labs and office hours
- He walked himself, carrying his own leash in his mouth.
- When he was a puppy he fell off a two-story balcony and landed safely in a tree branch suspended 10 feet off the ground.
-He had more friends than Clayton and Jessica combined.
- He was the inspiration and host for five amateur neighborhood dog shows in Shell Beach CA.
- He was remarkably gentle and could often be found snuggling with baby squirrels, cats, snakes, small dogs and babies
- He loved harmonica and sang the blues on command.
- Discovered he could jump off the dock into the lake and climb up the ladder to get out and do it again.
- He had no interest in retrieving on land but would bring back anything you threw into the water.
-Went snowshoeing with us in lake Tahoe and played in the snow until the hair in his paws froze and I had to carry him home.
- Camped and traveled to more places than most people,
-Accompanied us to work, restaurants, airports, bookstores and coffee shops…always the exception to the “No Dogs Allowed!” rule.
-Taught us to unconditionally love and accept all people.
-Surfed Pismo on a long board.
-Made himself at home in all three of out VW buses
-Befriended even the hardest of hearts; both dogs and humans.
-He became the self-appointed welcoming committee at the door of the coffee shop in the mornings and the local pub at night.
-He would gladly spoon anybody…anywhere.
-He walked down the aisle at our wedding.
-He would dive into the lake or the ocean and fully submerge himself to fetch rocks off the bottom.
-He was nicknamed the “Kobe Lama” and “Kobatoast”.
-He was often mistaken for a proud and gentle Lion.
-Went on adventures in sailboats, motorboats, rowboats, kayaks, and golf carts.
-Showed us what it looks like to be unwaveringly faithful
Goodbye to a dear friend.
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