I wasn’t Sydney’s original parent. I met her when I was renting a room in Memphis. The first time I met her, she wouldn’t stop jumping straight up and licking me all over. After I moved into that room, she sought me out. Her owner, at the time, didn’t allow her on furniture or in bed. She was allowed in my room in my bed any time though. I don’t know what it was about us but we bonded pretty fast. Near the time I was thinking about moving out, the other dogs that were living in the home attacked her out of nowhere. I convinced her owner that Syd would live a better, happier life with me. That we had bonded so much, she would be okay. And she was.

While in Memphis she learned how to walk properly on and off leash, she got to swim for the first time, loads of car rides around town, and visits to dog parks. She even got to smell zoo smells when I was working there when she rode in the car picking me up. She met her first best dog friend, Patrick. She was loved and cared for by many folks in Memphis.

In Baltimore she gained a mom and a younger pug brother. While they weren’t instant best friends, they soon would be inseparable. She discovered what real snow was and fell in love with it. Mom introduced her to camping. She had many woods and riverside adventures. I truly believe these were some of the best times in her life.

In Toledo she had more space and gained some cat siblings to love. She slowed down once in Toledo but thoroughly enjoyed life with us. She met many folks who loved her there as well.

I was hoping that we’d get to explore some of Detroit and Michigan with her after recently moving but it wasn’t in the cards.

Sydney never met a person, cat or rat she didn’t love. She wasn’t the dog I deserved to have but she’s who I needed. She saved me countless times and never wanted anything but love in return. I wasn’t the perfect dog dad but I know her life was better than anything it could have been had I not met her. She was a fighter from the beginning and never complained about anything. Sydney and Roscoe helped each other more than they would ever understand.

To everyone who loved her, thank you so much. She met a LOT of caring and loving folks in her time with me but Ricky, Kelli, Mila, and Margaret’s mom were some of the most important people to her. I will always be grateful for your extra love and care you took with her.

I will never have another dog that I will be bonded with like I was with her. She will forever be my #1 and my personal Scooby-Doo.