... and I'm pretty bummed about it.

In the time since my dog crossed, I've enjoyed reaching over the fence and playing with the neighbor's dog. Scratch the head, rub the ears, sneak a treat through the chain-link.

He was a good pup, always happy to see people, and eager to get a treat. I saw the slow change in him, from snap-it-outta-my-fingers to gently-take-it. I don't know if that was training or age, and it doesn't matter.

I saw the family in the yard yesterday, looking at his doghouse and not talking. I wondered it something had happened, but it just didn't seem to be the right time to walk out back and ask what was going on.

The neighbor texted me a few minutes later to deliver the news.

Four years' worth of buying dog treats when I didn't have a dog ended yesterday.
They took good care of him, but I still often thought about his warmth or coolness or water or whatever else, hopping across the fence a couple of winters ago to put some extra "warm goods" into his house. Now I look out the kitchen window and see his empty water bowls.

Be well and run happily, Obi.

Good on you!
My Shelby crossed the bridge about 8 years ago and I still buy treats. Big ones for the sheperd on one side and little ones for the five lapdogs on the other side. They love me!

We lost both of our Boxers in November of 2024 and miss them terribly.
Every time I see a Boxer I have to go meet them. My wife said need to stop harassing people.
I still buy dog treats, and my wife makes peanut butter treats for me to give to my boss's dogs (they can't help who they live with) and to a tank of a Boxer name Jeffrey that lives nearby and appreciates our visits.

My neighbor had a valley bulldog (boxer and english bulldog mix) and it was the coolest dog. Great with kids, smart, affectionate, great with neighbors/visitors, and only need to be brushed once a week. Both of theirs have been lower to the ground like a bulldog, but have a lot of boxer in the face so less breathing issues.

Here is what made the dog so cool as a neighbor - they like to be around active people (great for active family) so if the family is being boring they might go hangout with a neighbor being active. For example, I'm a gardener and if she saw me heading to backyard with wheelbarrow then she would follow me into my backyard to watch me be interesting in my garden (I'd text the neighbors to let them know where their dog was). Another example, sometimes if a neighbor visited she'd follow the neighbor home and take a nap at their house. The dog suddenly started acting very sick during Winter Storm Uri, they got it into a vet who diagnosed cancer, and the dog passed a week or two later. She was my buddy so her passing affected me.

On a positive note, the neighbor got another valley bulldog and she is just as awesome.

Reading these posts, I just realized I haven't seen a neighbor's black cat for a while now.

Friendly as all get-out, plays with all the neighborhood children, and seemed traffic-wise.

I'll have to ask next time I see his people.

My Shelby was a 75 pound Brindle Boxer, she kept her ears!, I like the floppy ears.
All the neighbors loved her, she loved everyone. Then we got a granddaughter, she still loved everyone
but if you walked past the house she would immediately jump up and stand in front of her. Member of the family, very protective.
I've often wondered, If someone broke in when we were not home, would she attack and maul them or would she want to play??

sorry to hear,

we have mostly adopted a neighbor's cat,
we are next door neighbors but he hangs out here more then there, and we feed him (with another outdoor cat that we basically adopted) every day

his is about 17, old for an outdoor only cat, and fell that bridge may come soon sometimes,

gonna be odd when it does, and sad

“I wish someone had given Jesus a dog”

I wish someone had given Jesus a dog.
As loyal and loving as mine.
To sleep by His manger and gaze in His eyes
And adore Him for being divine.

As our Lord grew to manhood His faithful dog,
Would have followed Him all through the day.
While He preached to the crowds and made the sick well
And knelt in the garden to pray.

It is sad to remember that Christ went away.
To face death alone and apart.
With no tender dog following close behind,
To comfort its Master’s Heart.

And when Jesus rose on that Easter morn,
How happy He would have been,
As His dog kissed His hand and barked it’s delight,
For The One who died for all men.

Well, the Lord has a dog now, I just sent Him mine,
The old pal so dear to me.
And I smile through my tears on this first day alone,
Knowing they’re in eternity.

Day after day, the whole day through,
Wherever my road inclined,
Four feet said, “Wait, I’m coming with you!”
And trotted along behind.

Frank Inn