My best friend - the most loyal and devoted dog I have ever known.  You were that "Lassie" kind of dog that most dog owners only dream of.  You would follow me to the ends of the earth out of sheer devotion...and only wanted to be with me.  You  were loyal, enthusiastic, determined, and obsessive about the things you loved - you and I shared a lot in common.  You were the first dog I got an agility title with and my first all-clicker-trained dog.  You were one of the most enthusiastic heeling dogs ever.  You loved training and especially all of your fun tricks - like sneezing and retrieving the remote control, my keys, all of the dog's dishes, and just about anything I dropped.  You did obedience, rally, freestyle, and agility - all to please me and I know that you kept going as long as your body would allow you to.  You know I adopted you and loved you for who you were and you taught me so much.  Many people couldn't believe that you used to be dog-reactive or had severe noise phobia.  You always were so gentle with everyone you met, and loved kids.  I remember you happily going belly-up for petting to a room of 30 kids at school and wagging your little nub when they asked you to sneeze for the hundredth time. I will never forget when I came home from my surgery, how you would not leave my side, even to go outside to go to the bathroom.  You picked up everything I dropped and stayed close to me until I was well again.  I remember the time you ate 2.5 lbs of chocolate and we almost lost you.   I cried my eyes out, stayed by your side, and begged you to pull through. I remember too, the time you ate a 1 lb bag of macadamia nuts and were paralyzed for 2 days.  Again, I stayed by your side, and you made it.  Even though the hermangiosarcoma was awfully swift and cruel, I know I am lucky to have had 11 wonderful years with you.  I will never forget how you spent your last night, lying with your head on my chest...over my heart. 
You are my "heart dog"...and that's where you will always be.

I can't believe you aren't here anymore...my heart aches so badly and I miss you so much.  I promise I will never forget you and hope to one day hear you say "ah-choo" again. 
I will always love you Skweet Squirt.

His CGC test/

Heelin' up a storm...what he loved to do
*Credit for this photo and one at top of page to Diane Lewis

Rally was fun for both of us

*Credit for photo to Diane Lewis

Dinner ready yet?

He loved to bring things

He loved retrieving a ball

The Native American bracelet I bought to wear in memory of Aztec...it has all of his colors, including that sky-blue color speck in the top of his left eye.

Pencil sketch of Aztec Greg did for me years ago

Aztec's Videos 

His starring role in "The Gingerbread Man" as "The Fox"

His starring role in "Accepting Petting", a Therapy Dog video

His starring role in "Mock Visits", a Therapy Dog video

Aztec's Agility Runs Remembered

Aztec's Obedience Runs Remembered