Mocha 1995-2012

Mocha -- AKA --
Mo
Pipsqueaker
PoePoe
Sister Mary Margaret
EMMA JEAN LOUISE!
Pip Pip
Pippi Lou Harris

died on Tuesday Feb. 21st, 2012.  She was euthanized in her mommy's arms due to poor quality of life stemming from dementia, arthritis, and a collapsing wind-pipe. Mocha was just a few weeks shy of her 17th birthday.   

She was preceded in death by her sister Alli and aunt Jojo. 

Mocha is survived by her Frien-emy, Paisley who is now living in IA with Bobo and Grampa

Mocha was "her own dog" as many put it.  Mocha was the alpha bitch in the household (I know this is surprising to many of you who'd have thought her owner claimed the title).  Mocha came before Dave and as such, she hated him and didn't often miss a chance to bite him -- especially if he tried to get anywhere near Shannon. 

Mocha hated being apart from Shannon and would cry and chase Shannon out the door, biting Shannon's ankle as Shannon used her foot to push Mocha back in the door.  Since Mocha was so attached to Shannon, the pair of them earned the Canine Good Citizen Award so that Mocha could travel a few more places with Shannon that she may not have gotten to travel otherwise. Doesn't it look like she is smiling in these pics?

Mocha was smart as a whip, spirited and athletic.  In her younger days, she loved to swim and fetch "SQUEAKIES!!!!" out of the water.  She would jump off the side of the pool, rafts, and the diving board.  Nothing could keep her from her object of obsession.  Mocha usually destroyed every single squeaky toy she had within minutes.

Mocha was also a runner and would run with Shannon -- or without her.  Funny story.  Mocha got loose while brother Patrick was supposed to be watching Mocha at Shannon's parents house.  Mocha ran all the way back to Shannon's condo.  Patrick arrived shortly after Mocha did -- he was panting, out of breath, and pissed.  "She made me chase her and she took the LONG way back to your condo!"  (Ok. Maybe that's only funny to me.  Still.)

 

Mocha is eight pounds but never backed down from any fights she started at the dog park, no matter how big the dog was that was shaking her around by her neck.  She loved riding on Shannon's lap on car rides, biting Paisley's boxer-jowels, and going for walks.  Shannon doted on that dog, grooming her, fluffing her, and kissing her smack on the lips...

"I have caught more ills from people sneezing over me and giving me virus infections than from kissing dogs."

    -Barbara Woodhouse

 

 

 

Until the twins showed up.  Then Mocha faded to the background.  Gradually dementia set in and Mocha no longer wished to be touched.  She was not groomed in the last couple years of her life.  (Hello, guilt).  Walks went away when she couldn't keep up and she spent most of her time in her bed. Ignored.  Actually, forgotten about in the chaos of things. (Guilt, please, I beg you, go away.)

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

    - Unknown

 

Memorial services will be held at a later date.  

"Not the least hard thing to bear when they go from us, 

these quiet friends, 

is that they carry away with them so many years of our own lives."

John Galsworthy 

And one last time...

 Night night Mocha, night night.