I always struggle with “In Loving Memory” posts because every time I work on one I end up crying. However, I know that its a combination of sorrow and joy. I’m sad that a cherished dog has died, but at the same time, I feel joy that the dog was well loved, even if it was too short of a lifetime. It also makes me happy knowing that the family has good photos to help remember the dog. Special thanks to Andrea Chu Takeoka Photography for these photos of a very special dog and some of the people who love him.
From Melvin: “We called him Buddy Joe, Joe Joe, Wiggles Mc Joe– because of his stump of a tail, his whole butt would wiggle when he got excited.
Joe was a rescue. I found him on Petfinder.com in 2007. We wanted a dog but were only going adopt…really hard to find an English Bulldog. So I scoured Petfinder.com. I was prepping a movie at the time so I had a lot of time in the office and I found a listing for a 1 year old English Bulldog. Joe was in Chico, CA at the Chico Humane Society. The minute I saw the listing I flooded them with applications. Everyone in the production office was calling, faxing or emailing for me to insure that I got Joe. Apparently, there were many applicants. We won out and the next day drove from LA to Chico to pick him up. Its was a 7 hour trip each way by car. We couldn’t fly because Joe being a short nosed dog couldn’t fly in the cargo hold of a plane. That was a 16 hour trip and he was a trooper. Literally, the first thing he did when he walked into the house was fall asleep.
Joe was sweetest, gentlest dog I’ve ever met. He was great with other dogs and children. We frequently had friend’s dogs staying with us. For the most part he was pretty passive, in his younger years he was playful. Joe was a creature of habit. He got two walks a day, two meals a day and his favorite thing was getting his greenie treat everyday. Penny only got to spend a little more than a year with Joe, but he loved her and would frequently snuggle with her and let her use him as a pillow.
I am including a few snapshots that Melvin took of Joe.
I know Joe had a life well lived and will be long remembered and always cherished. You can see more of this family portrait session on Andrea’s blog. Follow Andrea Takeoka Photography on Facebook.
About Andrea Chu Takeoka Photography: Based in Los Angeles, Andrea specializes in portrait photography.
What wonderful memories – Joe was obviously well loved and that is always lovely to see, thank you for sharing.
I miss you Joe. We had some good times together, even if Burn wouldn’t agree.
Even though it’s sad that Joe has passed on, it’s wonderful they have these photos to remember him by.
Such a beautiful boy. We send our love and hugs to his most wonderful family.