We bought our first house with him in mind.
He was born less than one week after we were engaged.
We drove 6 hours, one way, to pick him up…I had to drive the last hour so Ryan would not speed.
His biological mom’s name was Jo-Jo.
His biological dad’s name was Fast Eddy.
He was a grumpy old man as a puppy.
We got married when he was 10 months old.
We used to run across creeks and hide behind trees to make him learn to swim.
More times than not, when he would throw a fit about getting into the car (usually in the middle of nowhere Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Kansas or Nebraska) we had to get in the car without him and drive down the dirt road, with him in hot pursuit, just to get him to decide to get into the car with us.
He taught us about tough love.
He introduced us to people and places we never would have met or seen without him.
He took us on adventures I will never forget.
We ran through high mountain parks in snow-thunderstorms together.
We “got turned around” (you are only lost if you are never found) after dark on logging roads in Idaho together.
We woke up with a snow covered wall tent at 10,000 feet in the Rocky Mountains more than once together.
He traveled from coast to coast with us.
He stayed at Hotel Monaco in Chicago (even took a bath in the tub) and Super 8’s all over the country.
He swam in rivers and lakes from New York to Colorado to Oregon.
He chased birds where most will never get a chance, or be good enough, to chase birds.
He stopped me from walking in on a burglary in progress in our home.
He taught me patience.
He taught me unconditional love.
He taught me to be a mom before I was a mom.
hunting in the colorado flat tops {9/2005}
bella beach {7/2011}
walk around the block {2/2012}
almost lost him {3/2012}
the three amigos – Oak, Ben & Odyssey {4/2006}
snuggles {3/2012}
sleepy face…he was so sick in march 2012 {3/2012}
such a gentle boy – sharing with baby teal {12/2013}
reece’s first hunt {11/2010}
mt. hood {8/2010}
grand river seminar with mike gould {10/2005}
always
just hanging on the deck {10/2011}
dog of instagram {8/2011}
loved to dig a hole to rest in – idaho {10.2006}
pillow we bought for ryan’s parents
grand river seminar – idaho {10/2011}
getting a bath {2/2014}
family dog {8/2011}
dog pile {3/2011}
chukar hunting {1/2009}
He couldn’t hear.
He couldn’t see.
He was in pain.
For the last week he barked each time he had to go out to go potty because he needed help standing up to go outside.
Last night, after he barked for help I slept on the floor with him.
His last night with us.
This morning, I carried him outside so he could go potty.
He was stubborn. Always.
He didn’t want to have to be carried outside to go potty, but his body was failing him.
It was time to let go.
Fourteen and a half years.
Our family won’t be the same without him.
Rest in Peace, Grand River Hoji Ben.
home is…knowing all dogs go to heaven.
stephany taddeo 
So sorry to hear of your loss .. I can hear the love in your words and see it in your photos, and know he was a part of your family. I can relate having a dog like this in our family, and have experienced one going to heaven before .. Hope you are all okay, and take comfort in your amazing memories with him.
Sad tears. I’m sending love and prayers to you and your family. All dogs do go to heaven. RIP beautiful puppy.
lovely tribute.
Man or dog couldn’t ask for a better eulogy. I’m sure Ryan will be touched.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful farewell to Beloved Ben, and the happy memories of his life in your family…. his puppy stories were so Ben, I had to laugh through my tears!
What a grand tribute to a GrandRiver lab! Once you have a dog they change your capacity for love for ever. You will never be afraid to love like that again because the reward is so great,even with the pain after they are gone. llove, Mom
Sent from Julie’s iPad …
Steph, I am so sorry for your loss. You gave him an amazing tribute (your words are beautiful) and he is definitely in doggie heaven!
Steph what an incredibly beautiful tribute to Grand River Hoji Ben.I laughed (pillow) and cried in the Ben’s life story in pictures and words,but mostly just felt the love your family shared with him.I’m glad I got to meet and hunt with Hoji Ben and Ryan.Team Taddeo was a Blue Grouse’s worst nightmare.What a great life Ben had with your family and your tribute Steph is proof of what he gave in return. RIP Hoji Ben.
Don
Just a beautiful tribute… hugs and love coming your way… I know we are not far from this scenario, and I thank you for reminding me to treasure and appreciate each day with my fur baby… my first baby. XOXO
That there is love! So glad you guys had each other. XOXO…
Beautiful honor to Ben. So sad and lots of tears her in NY for all of you.
This moved me to laughter and tears. What a beautiful tribute. He sounds like a wonderful friend. I’ve only had my 8 year old rescue three years, but already I cannot imagine life without him. 14 and a half years must seem like forever. I am so sorry for your loss. x
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your beautiful eulogy has got me crying now.
This post reminds me of the first dog I loved, he was never really mine but I loved him as though he was and I still miss him greatly. I hope you don’t mind a stranger leaving you an internet :hug: ♥
That’s such a sweet tribute to ‘a man’s best friend’, beautifully written. When we lost Maggie, I penned a tribute to her, ‘Born a dog, died a Dempsey’ (Dempsey being our family name). She wasn’t just a dog, she was family. x
Dogs bring so much love and enrichment to one’s life. It’s clear he lived fully ❤
Now I’m sat at my desk at work crying after reading this.
Very sad for your loss. Dogs – and pets in general – are an amazing part of life. It’s never fair when we have to say goodbye.
Your post was a beautiful tribute to him.