Name:  Step & Ria
Dog's Name:  Coby
Breed:  pomeranian & chihuahua
Age/Years of friendship:  8
Where did you get your dog from:  Gift/Family
Location:  Muskoka
Social Media Link:  www.instagram.com/cobys.world

My sister has always been an animal lover. So, it wasn't a surprise that Coby came into out lives! When Coby was about 4, my sister allowed me to take him on more full-time when she moved. Coby changed our lives forever. The joy he brought us was like nothing else. I truly did not know how much love I could have for a furry friend. We found ourselves tailoring our life to him. The memories of him will never go away as he was everywhere we were. I have learned that it takes patience and discipline to care for animals. Coby has taught me to appreciate the smaller things in life. He also taught me how to just breathe when I'm having a hard day. He was so therapeutic to us! What I love about Coby was that I could see his "facial expressions." It was the wildest thing but he knew exactly what he wanted or needed and communicated it so well. He was also seriously the best fishing buddy ever! Anytime he heard the drag sound on the reel, he'd perk up and looked in the water to see what the catch was. He was so patient with his humans and easy going. His temperament was amazing! Taking Coby to see grandma & friends at the nursing home was always a humble experience. The light in their eyes when they saw him was unforgettable. Coby also was a support system for a handful of my clients. Being a stylist, some children were hard to service. If Coby was present, their demeanor changed. Eventually, my phone calls consisted of "can I book an appointment and can Coby be there too?". My adult clientele enjoyed his company so much too. He ended up being a mascot for my studio. I was blessed enough to be with him while I worked in the studio and at home. How lucky was I? He was the light for so many people. People fought over babysitting him. How spoiled is that? It has been 3 years and I can still feel him inside my heart so vividly. I can stare at a picture of him and remember exactly what that moment felt like and what adventure we were on! Giving Coby the best life possible was my pride and joy! I didn't need to do anything-I simply wanted to. Being around him filled my heart with happiness automatically. We may have a few pups in our lifetime but we are their love and support for their whole life.

This is Coby and my story. What’s yours?

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