As far back as I can remember dogs have always been a part of my life. I thought it was the norm that everyone have a dog or some sort of pet at their house. It must have been some time after I graduated high school that dogs would somewhat be associated with me. Whether it be people calling me Snoop Dogg because of my braids or possibly from the wolf pack I have living in my back yard. Dogs have come and gone during my life but none of those dogs I could ever say were actually mine. It was only until about 3 years ago that my good friend Kim had gotten her dog Kirby and told me the rest of the litter needed homes. At first I was hesitant but I couldn’t resist the deal of getting one of those toy dogs for so cheap. Soon after I went to go see the rest of the dogs with Kim and Shelly still unsure if I was making the right decision. There were several dogs laying in their bed and I happened to pick up Guru. Turns out it was one of the best decisions I had ever made.

I’m not quite sure what my intention was when I got him but I learned that having a dog is hard work. At first he’d stay only in my room so whenever I got home from school I always had something to clean up or fix. So I bought him this fence thing so he couldn’t get out but as he got older he somehow learned how to jump out of it which always got me mad. When I started teaching him to sleep in his own bed he would always cry and I’d tell him to shut up. He also chewed up my Xbox mic and my foam Laker hand. But despite all the trouble he gave me he always kept me company and I always brought him around wherever I went. And just like daddy all the girlies loved him.

I always imagined ahead to the future. There was a lot of things I wanted to do with him. I liked to imagine that if my music career blew up and got me big I would make him a famous dog, sort of like Rob Dyrdek and Meaty. He would be my sidekick on some reality show and everyone could see how we communicated in our strange way. Like whenever I would ask him what he wanted, he would raise his ears when I finally got it right. I also imagined that if I had some big party of something he could be a part of it. But for now I would have to settle for him just chillin at home with me. As much as I loved it when the parents left the house to me for an extended period of time when I’d throw the parties they never find out about, it got lonely sometimes but with him around I was never bored or lonely. And those dreadful mornings when I’d wake up and there was a big mess left over, I’d sometimes just say “Fuck it” and pack a bowl with him. He’s a good smoking buddy. He was hilarious. But those stories are for another day.

I learned trips to Vegas can get ruined quick with some bad news from back home. I got the news on January 1, 2010 that Guru had been hit by a car. I was praying he would be okay but hours went by and before I knew it I read the words “he’s gone” in a text message. I initially hid it from my friends because I didn’t want to be a buzzkill but eventually I couldn’t anymore. I don’t remember a lot from that night but it was me, a lot of Hennessy and a lot of tears. It was hard to be tough and it was even harder when I actually did get home and finally got to see him. He just looked like he was fast asleep. On top of all that I could only spend an hour or so more with him before I had to bury him.

It’s hard going through these pictures and seeing the three years I got to spend with him. I looked like a filipino popstar (or Manny Pacquiao, whichever you remember) when I first got him. Guru you were one of the best gifts I’ve ever had in my life and with that I give you one last farewell gift. Now you’re always going to be by my side whether you like it or not. Not a day goes by where I don’t glance at the spot in the kitchen where you used to wait for me when I’d get home. It pains me deeply to write this article because once I know its done it means that this chapter of my life is now done. I’m not a religious man but I hope one day we’ll meet again. Until next time…

In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on. -Robert Frost

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