We really, really thought Phoenix was going to pull through and recover completely, but unfortunately he did not. I wanted to put this video together for Jonathan to have all of Phoenix's best of the best pictures in one place. I know the video is a little long, but I don't care. The pictures speak for themselves and show all sides of his personality. To cut anymore pictures out just wouldn't be right. Phoenix was absolutely the sweetest pup! Truly a gentle giant. Although he looked intimidating and ferocious on the outside, he had the biggest heart. Anyone who was ever around Phoenix knew he was intelligent, hilarious, quirky, clumsy, protective in his sweet way and sneaky. Boy, was he sneaky! Phoenix was the definition of 'sly dog'.
The stories about Phoenix are too numerous to count, but I'll share one with you that sticks out in my mind.
From the beginning, Phoenix was an inside dog who enjoyed the luxury of sleeping on the couch, sitting in the recliner, enjoying a nap in front of the fireplace...you get the idea! S-P-O-I-L-E-D beyond repair! A few years ago, we moved into a new house and starting the process of replacing living room furniture. I wanted to begin un-doing (HA!) Phoenix's furniture habits. It was time to start training him to stay off furniture. Old habits die hard, but Phoenix was very intelligent and he knew exactly what we were telling him not to do. But, being the sneaky little thing that he was, he'd stand close to the couch and raise one paw while looking at you! Just testing how much he could get away with. Phoenix slept (at that time) on his big dog pillow in our bedroom, and I guess he thought he needed something a little more plush. Every now and then, we'd find him on the couch the next morning. Who knows how long he'd been there? Well, two can play this game! I remember one night I heard him walk into the living room (there is no mistaking the sound of his claws on the pergo floor!). I decided to let him get settled on the couch and then I'd sneak up on him. I heard him lie down (Yes, I HEARD him lie down...when you are a 115 lb. Doberman, anything you do makes noise), so here I come tip-toeing around the corner. Keep in mind, he knows he's not allowed on the couch and knows Mama means what she says. I walked up behind the couch and said, "What are you doing?!" He shot off that couch so fast and made a beeline for his dog bed! It was the funniest thing I'd ever seen! Apparently, all this taught him was to be ULTRA quiet the next time because we'd catch him trying to get to the couch some nights. Phoenix never walked through the house quietly. So loud! But somehow, he learned how to make it to the living room without making a peep, no claw sounds on the floor or anything! Did he develop a special skill of retracting his claws?! Who knows, but he mastered it! One night, I was actually awake and found him on the couch...must have been in stealth mode. Never heard him. Smart guy!
Call me crazy for making a video of pics and posting about our pup, but I just had to! He's been such a big part of our little family for almost 5 years! We love dogs, and I'm sure we'll get another dog one day. But there will never be one quite like Phoenix. We miss you buddy!
Did Phoenix have an illness? I thought the slideshow was so cool!
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