Gobi, Our Protector

by Derek Martell
(Veneta OR USA)

Gobi, I don’t even know where to start.

I was a selfish 27 year old boy who only cared about myself. You came into my life when I needed you most.

I wanted a long-haired German shepherd and had the pick of litter. The first time I saw you I knew you were the one. I went every week to visit you and hang out. Once you turned 8 weeks old I finally got to take you home. You cried the whole way home.

You were perfect. You were what I was missing in life. You taught me how to love someone besides myself and to care about anything besides drinking and fishing. You taught me responsibilities.

Today was the hardest day of my life. You were strong and tough. You fought for everything. Today at 3am you let me know you were ready. Even though I wasn't ready, I knew you were ready. I wasn't ready to lose my friend and that unconditional love we had for each other.

Without you I had no clue what love was, and you showed me. I wouldn't have met the love of my life, my wife, without you showing me the unconditional love we had for each other.

Gobi, we will miss you. Thank you for everything. Tofu and Turtle thank you for protecting them, and Buoy thanks you for teaching him how to be a dick. Kari thanks you for protecting her, and I thank you for you being you and teaching me how to love.

RIP Gobi 4-21-10 to 7-17-20. I love you.