R.I.P. Mr. Hope

Above: Mr. Hope enjoys one last moment in the sunshine

We had to put Mr. Hope to sleep yesterday. He was in complete organ failure, a result of a buildup of toxins. While the dental may have sped up the progression of organ failure by a day or two, there was nothing we could have done either way. He was such a great character and a very good dog. You may recall that his beginnings were beyond rough, being a victim of the Whiteford Animal Hoarder, but he persevered and proved he was quite the fighter. He relearned how to walk, he came out of his dementia to recognize & love us, and he lived nearly a year even though the cardiologist had only given him 2.5 months (at most).

Not only that, but he did a lot for his fellow animals. He was a little TV star for a while, putting a face to the problem of animal hoarding. He helped raise money, food, and toys for the other victims, and encouraged many volunteers to come visit and/or adopt them. He participated in walk-a-thons by being pulled in a little red wagon...and nothing prompts people to give than a pathetic sight like that! And he made everyone chuckle when he hopped up to greet them (his stumpy legs wouldn't let him jump up completely, but it didn't stop him from trying). We regret not getting his walks on film - he never understood the lines that marked parking spots and would try to jump over them as if they were an obstacle. We affectionately called him "big guy" and he will be terribly missed.