Truffle was with us for three years. He came with the name and an appetite for shoes … preferring those of minimal wear and/or a price point above $50. He didn’t just chew or shred textiles, but rather preferred to ingest them.

He was an avid (but unsuccessful) squirrel hunter, showed an unmatched enthusiasm for exercise, and most enjoyed doing impersonations of Ric Flair during his free time. Before we retired our old crown vic, his favorite game was “junkyard dog” – This was a captivating display of athleticism and vocals atop the car. It was in this game that he could show off the trustworthy way he (reluctantly) abided by the grounds of our 4-foot backyard fence.

Truffle enjoyed chasing but not entirely retrieving various toys & household objects, winning monkey-in-the-middle, and lounging in his own set of wicker rocking chairs. He was allergic to cured pork products. He always smelled like fresh dirt and Doritos. He had a short, jet-black coat and moderate alopecia every winter. He would only take flavored, chewable preventative medicines if they were wrapped in a tablespoon of cold butter. At 60 pounds of pure muscle, he preferred to be cradled at bath time and (at all other times) only seated on the comfort of a lap. On occasion, Truffle would lie down across my legs on the piano bench as I played our favorite tunes.

Truffle had a large sunny bedroom conveniently located off the kitchen. Here, he was employed as a taste-tester and disposal technician. A real “meat & potatoes” guy, he’d agree to take most of the raw vegetables but politely stash them somewhere to rot.

He detested the garden hose and other various sources of water, but he learned to swim in the last year of his life and enjoyed visiting the beach. On warm afternoons, he could be found lounging on one of our bellies in the hammock, his eyes peeled on the garage roof to scan for enemies (i.e., …squirrels).

Truffle is survived by a sole canine friend – A blind, deaf, geriatric miniature pinscher who lives part-time in Florida. They would exchange extremely formal greetings and bark at shared (however imagined) threats to their respective back yards. He never understood the relative difference between other creatures (e.g., cat = squirrel = enemy; …DTE line technician = giant squirrel = enemy). Aside from his owners, he’s survived by one human friend – His patient babysitter and playmate, Kevin. Truffle resented Kevin’s departure and loved his company.

He was resilient, he was autonomous, he was smart & smart-looking. Truffle was a foster dog who never went back to the shelter, and his life before rescue is a mystery. He came to us with a gunshot wound to his right front leg and healed handsomely from surgery, but his healed leg always bowed slightly inward. He learned to trust both of us, earning wages of sharp cheddar cheese for handshakes & sits. He walked bravely on a gentle-lead harness and served proudly as the self-appointed guardian of Grandmont #1. Truffle was afraid of people holding sticks or stick-like objects, loud noises, strangers, dogs, and confinement. In response, we afforded him freedom in all ways we could, training and medication to reduce the anxiety, love from familiar faces, and a quiet place to relax. Truffle’s passing came from untreatable neurological issues, of which the primary result was unpredictable violence – even towards the people he loved the most. We do not know his whole story, but we are grateful for our part in showing him some of the best things in life.

Truffle toured Michigan’s upper peninsula and waded the shores of Lake Superior. He enjoyed many day trips to area parks (for which we’d always need to circle our block once on the outset of our trek so he could use the bathroom twice). We all learned the best ways to navigate these situations so he could safely adventure, and we will forever advocate for the care and keeping of minds like his. Extending kindness to our boy required the ultimate choice of bringing him peace, and our grief is insurmountable. You need to look no further than your neighborhood to find a friend like him, one who has seen the worst humanity can offer. However, we hope that most of us get the chance to pay forward the same patience, unconditional positive regard, companionship, and love that can improve quality of life for dogs like Truffle.

We love you forever, buddy.