It’s funny what you remember at the very end. For me, it was the beginning. We were at a weekend adoption event where we had basically been told off by a foster that it was unethical and impractical for two working adults to have dog. On the way out we took another look at the dogs in the front and almost missed him again. Sonali noticed him, cowering in the corner of his cage, and asked “Hey, why’d you ignore this one, he look like the kind of dog you said you wanted.”

Overlooked sounded much like his early life. The foster lady had found him on the list at a kill shelter after he had been there for months. She herself had him for a whole year, with nobody wanting to adopt him. The lady couldn’t figure out why, he was great with other dogs and gentle. Maybe because he wasn’t really a lap dog, maybe it was because he had that “I could keel over any minute look,” that served him so well in conning treats.

Whatever the reason, he was there when we decided we wanted a dog.

Ajax coming home for the first time

I’d love to say that it was love at first sight and we knew we had our best friend. Instead, we were absolutely terrified. Sonali and I had never had a dog before and were worried about how a couple weekends of dog-sitting would translate to being pet owners. Add to that, dogs still made me a little nervous.

It didn’t take long for his personally to fully come out. The foster lady was right, he wasn’t a lap dog. He was a cuddle under the blankets dog.

He was curious and seemed to preoccupy himself finding the best and most interesting positions. On clear days, he’s follow the sun through the windows, while taking care to have some part of his body cooled by the AC vent. If there wasn’t enough sun, he’d build himself the best nest out of whatever blankets and pillows were around. He was thrilled being the only dog and getting all the attention, but also loved playing with his dog friends, Jack and Joy, and later Tiger, Baylor, and Dewey. He had a mischievous streak. He would slip his leash, skillfully avoid the vet or jump a gate when he wanted to, but was mostly a perfect gentlemen. Well, except for his habit of peeing on my bosses furniture.

He learned quickly to cherish the sunshine in Seattle

He tried his hardest to never let us leave alone with running shoes on, ready to go from fast asleep on the couch to 5k in 3 seconds flat. In that way he was perfect for us. Perfectly content being either 100% on or 100% off, ready to switch when we were.

His mortal enemy was water. We took him to a beach once and ran into the surf with him. Never again, anytime we’re at the shore he ensures that he’s a sufficient distance way from shore.

Ajax a safe distance from the water body

We’ve been through a lot together. Multiple road trips. He survived multiple home remodels with us. He was my travel buddy for our eventual move clear across the country and settling into our life in Seattle. Including (gasp!) walking in the rain. He made it through the global pandemic (possibly the greatest thing to happen to a dog, all the humans, all the time). He was there when Mira was born (though he’s never fully forgiven Sonali for ruining his perfect only-child life) and for her first day of middle school.

Hanging with the baby

We never imagined when we first brought him home that he would be with us for 14.5 years. That’s a lot of memories, cuddles, and miles. Sadly, nothing is forever. He lost a step, then two, then more. His hair went from brown to white. His leaps turned into hops.

We almost lost him last year, but he rallied and we even got to make new memories, including our first camping experience. (Ajax’s verdict, the 2 person + 1 dog is an awesome invention, but why would be outside if we own a couch?) The problems that were plaguing him regressed and we knew we had to cherish the moments we had left.

Seriously humans, this is better than camping.

We so grateful for all our friends who have been so supportive over the last few weeks. We are also grateful to his care team who have been so helpful in this time and am going to miss taking him in and hearing the excited “oooo Dobby’s back” from the tech. There’s going to be a lot of random little things just like that we’re going to miss. It’s going to be a while before we stop expecting the blanket to spring to life with our guardian protecting us from the Amazon delivery guy.

We were lucky to have you, Ajax, and you will always live on in our hearts. Thank you to the best friend a family could have!

We're going to miss you little dude.