Sporty, we knew little about Bulldogs when we got you. Our Son insisted on a Bulldog and obviously had done his homework. Little did we know how loving and sweet they are. You were the embodiment of gentleness, friendliness and love. Our son named you 'Sporty Spice' after the English 'Spice Girls'!! No one was a stranger to you. . . you particularly loved kids. Halloween nite was always a special treat for me to watch you go to the door with me to greet the kids! You would go out on the landing to personally let each one know how special they were to you.

We went for a walk every evening thru the neighborhood and you got to know everyone! And you always wanted to stop for a bit to go 'visit' with each neighbor! They all enjoyed you more than can be said. I sadly miss our evening walks.

You liked everyone, all people, kids, cats and dogs. You welcomed our cat who became your 'buddy'. You two eventually would take naps lying together on the bed or the couch. I never saw you act agressively toward the cat but once when the cat wouldn't leave you alone. In a move faster than I could follow, you had the cat upside down by the throat on the floor!! But you never harmed her, ever. She didn't bug you after that either!!

Not once in our eleven years did you ever even 'nip' me and we used to do some very agressive play at times. You were always more gentle than a butterfly. We got you a 'Little Red Shoe' when you were a puppy and you played with it your entire life. There are some teeth marks on it, but you have to look to see them! You never destroyed anything. We could line up four or five of your toys and ask you to go pick one out. You most always picked the right one!!

You loved 'ice cream' and peppermints! There was no way you could go to the refrigerator and open the container of ice cream without you hearing it!! No matter where you were, you would come to the kitchen to get some ice cream!

When you were especially happy, like when I would return after being gone for a couple days, you would scrunch yourself down into a very compact size and 'cannonball' thru the house as fast as you could run!! Back and forth you would go!! Hopefully you wouldn't run into anything!!

In my 75 years, I have seen death many times but never had to deal with it like I did when you left us.

You were my constant companion and we could communicate by just a glance. When we walked, you would determine when we were to cross the street just by giving me a glance. I'd always say, OK, knowing the walk was for you and not for me.

We enjoyed you for eleven years. . . . I wish it were for more, but I'm selfish. I trust you are in a place where your walks are ongoing and the treats never stop. I look forward to seeing you again to continue our friendship forever. You will always remain in our hearts. . . . a 'gentle spirit in a bruisers body'.

Fred, Joann & Jon