My dog died this week. I adopted him from the Charlestown Animal Shelter in 2006. He was two years old and had been adopted and returned a few times before I came along. He was “too active”. The attendant told me when I was trying to decide which dog, she nudged me towards Big Joe. “You don’t want a “dog” you want a “Daawwg”. She was right.

Big Joe never met a ball he didn’t want to catch, a plate that didn’t need licking, or a UPS delivery truck that didn’t need barking at. His enthusiasm for life was contagious and he brought light and joy into every day he was with us.

Big Joe lived sixteen years and I was privileged to have him as a part of my family.

If you are interested in bringing a pet into your life, please consider adoption.