By Jerold E. Rothkoff

“We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals” –– Immanuel Kant

In February 1994, I met two very special individuals. The first was my future wife, Erica, who I have been privileged to be married to for over ten years. The second was a very special pug dog named Bobby, who just happened to be owned by Erica. Bobby died on August 5, 2006. During the twelve years Bobby was in my life, Bobby taught my family and me more about life than I could ever have imagined.

Bobby was not your average dog. Bobby was a special needs dog. He was born with a neurological impairment that limited his ability to walk. He had to be carried up and down steps, and usually fell on his face or back after taking several steps. Due to this, we, at times, walked him in a baby stroller.

Nonetheless, regardless of Bobby’s limitations, he was a fighter. He learned how to compensate for his difficulty walking and more or less was able to get where he needed to go. He also attempted to keep our other two dogs in line by biting at their legs or whatever he could hold on to. Gradually, over the years, Bobby’s disability worsened. It became more and more difficult for him to walk, necessitating the need to carry him from place to place. During his last few years, he was unable to ambulate on his own.

looking forward to caring for this disabled pug. I never had a dog before and dreaded the thought of all the extra work that taking care of Bobby called for. Amazingly, it turned into a labor of love. For almost eleven years, my day began and ended with Bobby in my arms. Each morning, I carried him down the steps and outside to “make.” This routine was reversed each evening prior to bedtime.

The gift Bobby gave myself, my wife, and our children, was the ability to care for someone who needed our help. We enjoyed being able to help him. Bobby helped show us that caring for another in need has its own immeasurable rewards. In a way, Bobby gave more to our family than we ever gave to him.

I work with elderly clients whose sole source of companionship is their pet. They refuse to leave their home for independent or assisted living because no one will care  for their pet. These clients not only have a companion, they also have someone that is dependent upon them. Someone they are responsible for. The loss of their pet will also entail the loss of their ability to give.

For twelve years, Bobby gave my family and me the ability to give. For that, we are forever grateful. Goodbye, my dear friend; your life lessons will be put to good use.