So I’m driving along… A Dog’s Obituary
(So I’m driving along… is a series of personal blog posts that have nothing to do with my photography business and everything to do with my real life. You’re welcome to stay and join the fun, or skip to the next posts, it’s probably photo-related!)
So I’m driving along and my four-year old says, “I don’t want Jojo to go to dog heaven.” And we cry big, fat tears together. Repeat time 100, and that sums up the last few weeks.
For 11 years, we’ve been the family of what I assure you was the Best Dog Ever, our perfect Boxer girl, Josie. I always said she was a pure-bred jackass and it’s the truth – in the absolute best way possible. I’ve known since the day we got her it would break my heart to say goodbye. We’d loved and lost a Boxer before and happily signed up for the ride again.
And today, heartbroken at the loss of our girl, struggling to watch my kiddos process the same heartbreak, I’m thankful for every moment, even these hard ones, and have gladly signed up yet again (albeit, sadly, not with a Boxer, those sweet squishy noses just aren’t great for our active, outdoor lifestyle).
I shared on social media late last week that the end was near and that we’d adopted a puppy named Willa. We received so much love and support, and we appreciate every ounce of it. (And I apologize to those of you who suffered through consultation calls and meetings with me this past week or two – my normally bubbly, witty banter has been a bit dimmed but I didn’t want to trauma bomb with an explanation either.)
Anyway because I shared previously, I hesitated with if or how to share that Jojo did indeed cross the Rainbow Bridge on Monday.
I didn’t want to seem attention seeking. Or dramatic. Or extra. (And I’m pretty conscious of my motivation to post anything on social media these days.) But also, I wanted to acknowledge her life in some direct and public way. Obituaries came to mind and I figured what I was trying to do wasn’t much different than what we seek when we publish not just a legal notice of death but a thoughtful obituary.
So, I decided I’d write her a dog’s obituary. It is indeed attention-seeking, dramatic and extra. Just like the Best Dog Ever.
Before we get to it – a word of thanks and admiration for Dr. Collner at Great Rivers Animal Hospital in Alton and Dr. Lister of Blue Skies in-home pet euthanasia in Highland who cared for my girl and my family and sent sweet Jojo to rest snuggled up in our bed, surrounded by her family, snoring her jowl-fluttering snores. The care and dignity you both gave Jojo is beyond appreciated.
Now, a celebration of a life well lived…
Josephine Bob Bobert Bobbington
2012-2025; probably returning in the future cus she seemed the type
Josie, called JoJo, was born November 2013 in rural Missouri and adopted (ahem, purchased for an unreasonable sum) by Zac and Maggie Medema who knew absolutely nothing about raising a puppy but had a damn good time learning.
In her puppy days, Josie, also called JoBo, served as Chief Wiggle Butt and the only other staff member at her mom’s photography business. She enjoyed attending dog “school” on a regular basis (until her parents had human children and could no longer afford such frivolities). Not including one incident in which her parents were called to school regarding her “humping other dogs into submission,” she was a model student. Her parents maintain her innocence and will forever defend her honor, insisting on mistaken identity.
Josie, alias Grody Jody, later welcomed two little girls she affectionally called The Long One and The Round One. Later learning the importance of not calling someone out of their name, especially in reference to body shape, she came to know them as Evie and Hazey. Josie, know as Potato, enjoyed playing dress up, attending tea parties and romping about the yard with her girls. She developed a strong taste for diaper wipes and on multiple occasions swallowed packages whole. Watching to see if the Potato would vomit a softball size wad of wipes, or poop them out one after the other like a magician with scarves became a favorite family pastime.
When Josie, aka Jo-Gee, reached her adult years she lived through the Great Covid Pandemic and she fucking LOVED it. Her people stayed home all the time, everyone ate constantly, walked often and always wore comfy pants she could snuggle up against. Also, no one ever came to the door, which she preferred.
Around this time Jojo, sometimes called JoJoBean, took a stand against body shamers who continually criticized her physique and changed veterinarians to a practice who understood her desire to balance her health and well-being with her pride in being a real thick bitch.
When her chin-resting, fart-blasting and mom-guarding reached their height, she was rewarded with a little boy called Sam. While Josie, otherwise called Wiggle Butt, was no longer as athletic and spritely as she’d once been, she was as snuggly as ever and a perfect match for a lovey dovey little boy who loved farts. As he grew, she adored releasing silent but deadly toots his way and listening to her boy squeal, “Jos-ah-FEEN, not again!!”
Jojo served dutifully as her mom’s shadow, always moving from room to room to stay close, even as her mobility declined. She displayed remarkable creativity in cockblocking her dad and stole his covers so thoroughly each night that he required a separate, hidden blanket he thought she didn’t know about.
In her golden years, Jojo, stage name Big Dog, embraced graying naturally and enjoyed lounging in the sun, brazenly stealing food, lounging on the couch, going to Grammy and Papa’s house, lounging on Grammy and Papa’s couch, scaring the life out of Amazon delivery drivers (especially that skinny punk that always *runs* full speed at the door), lounging on her dog bed, sticking her nose in the middle of board games, lounging on her parents bed, shitting on the deck when the grass was cold, wet or the wrong length, and lounging.
Jojo, nom de guerre Sweet Girl, suffered no fools, passed quick and decisive judgement, loved every kid she ever met and welcomed a cat and dog bff Uncle Ozzy into her family with love, acceptance and never a hint of jealousy.
In her final days, she welcomed her successor with happy wiggles, hops and kisses and a stern lecture when the pup failed to attempt murder on a solicitor.
Jojo’s lasting legacy will undoubtedly be the treasure trove of memories that bind together everyone who knew her but especially her mom, dad and beloved kids. Her wiggle butt greetings, joyfully wagging nubby, jowl-flapping, earth-shaking snores, and remarkable, remarkable stink will live forever in the hearts of her family.
