Dear readers of the blog and lovers of Boh,
I have some very sad news. Yesterday we said goodbye to Boh. I know it was the right decision, both because of his prognosis and because he stopped eating and mostly stopped drinking over the weekend, but I don’t think that made the choice any easier. I am grateful that I got 10.5 years of his companionship, silliness, bed-hogging, and belly-rub requests. And I’m so grateful to him for getting me through a decade of transition in my life.
I adopted Boh after moving to New Mexico, into my first solo apartment. He crossed the country with me for graduate school, and even accompanied me on several research road trips. I joke that he too, got his PhD, and also that he was very clearly always destined to be my dog because he loved to lick library books. (Don’t worry; when I figured that out, I stopped stacking the library books in places he could reach.)
He came with me on my move south, to my first full-time teaching job as a visiting assistant professor. He kept me company while I graded papers, reminded me when we both needed walks, and listened to me prepare for more job interviews. And when I got my current job, he was so happy to return to the mountain West with me in the summer of 2016. We started running together again like we had when he was a much younger dog in New Mexico, on a path not unlike that first trail along the Rio Grande and through the Bosque.
A friend said to me last night that Boh was a hard dog to get to know, but that the effort was worth it. Once he trusted you, he was always happy to see you, and he remembered old friends even after years without seeing them.
He loved Chefboyfriend immediately, and welcomed him into our lives and our home. Boh even waited with an eye on the door for him to come home from work for belly rubs and evening walks around the neighborhood. I am grateful that Boh was here to see me happy in this way, and after yesterday, I can’t imagine navigating this goodbye all by myself.
You all have been part of our journey, too. I started this blog in the fall of 2007, just a handful of months after adopting Boh. The very first post has a picture of Boh on the day I brought him home from the shelter. (It’s the first picture below.) You watched him grow as you read along with my attempts at various knitting and spinning projects, and you offered him pats and scratches in your comments over the years. Thank you for being part of his life, and part of mine. Here are the pictures I shared on Facebook in celebration and remembrance. As always, thanks for being here.
barefoot rooster 
I’m sitting here crying for all of you. It’s the hardest decision to make but always made with love. Run free Boh. Hugs for you, Amy and chefboy.
Good dog, Boh!
I feel like I’ve lost a friend too. I’ve enjoyed following you over the years, finding your blog as a knitter and dog lover. Wishing you comfort and glad you didnt have to experience this heartbreak alone. He was a beautiful guy. Hugs to you.
Oh Amy! I am hearbroken for you. Such an awful decision to have to make , but the in the end the right one for Boh. So many wonderful photos, adventures and memories to keep close to your heart. Hope they provide you some comfort and peace. So glad you had chefboyfriend by your side to support you. Sending love and hugs. ❤️
I am so so sorry. Peace be with you
I can type now that the sobbing has lessened. I am so, so sorry and send gentle, big hugs to you and Chefboyfriend. Watching Boh grow up and sharing his antics has been a gift. Thank you!!!
Oh this is the worst. I know it sucks, but you really did the right thing, and he knew you were there. We should all be so lucky. I loved seeing photos of Boh and hearing about him and I am heartbroken. Everyone at our house will say a special prayer for Boh and for you. Take care. God bless your sweet boy.
I have not looked at feedly in, literally, months. Tonight I decided to take a quick look about some yarn postings, and this came….. I ache along with you for this dear and beloved friend who is part of the fabric of your life….. and yet, would you wish it any other way? You can accept the sadness as you recount the joy he brought. My Lab is coming very close to these “non-returnable” days…. Perhaps that’s why your sorrow is easy to share.
I will remind you of the words of Willie Morris, in writing about “My Dog Skip”: “They had buried him under our elm tree, they said–yet this was not totally true. For he really lay buried in my heart.”
Oh sweet Boh. the goodest of good boys! me and my pup, Greta, are sending you lots of mental hugs and snuggles from Philadelphia. Boh was one of the best, and you gave him such a beautiful life.
This Boh fan is very, very sad. I loved looking at his pictures on the blog over the years. I feel I have lost a sweet canine friend. I am so sorry you have experienced this loss.
Ah, sweet smushy faced boh. I am so sorry for your loss. They break our hearts, but we are so lucky to love them in the meantime….
(I am bawling like a baby.)