I’ve had three of the best friends anyone could ever ask for.
They were there for me through some of the best times of my life and some of the worst. They were always up for an adventure, loved me unconditionally, and never asked for much in return.
Their names were Taz, Roscoe, and Sasha
And they were my dogs.
They were my family, my hiking buddies, and my pack.
We spent years hiking, exploring the mountains, playing in the river, and just enjoying life together. Some of the best memories I have are with these three.
Even though they’re no longer with me, I’m grateful for every moment we had together.
And looking back, they taught me a lot about life, love, and appreciating the little things.
But first, let me introduce you to my three best friends.
Sasha: The Independent One
Sasha was my first dog of the three. I got her from a friend who could no longer take care of her when she was just a puppy.
And man, was she hyper!
As she got older, though, she mellowed out quite a bit and became very independent.
She knew what she wanted and could be pretty stubborn at times.
I guess she took after her father.
Unlike the boys, Sasha didn’t need constant attention. She was perfectly happy doing her own thing. Sometimes I swear she acted more like a cat than a dog.
Before Taz and Roscoe came along, Sasha and I had plenty of adventures together. Some of my favorite memories were camping with her. She’d climb right into my hammock and sleep beside me.
When the boys eventually joined us, Sasha became the leader of the pack. And believe me, those two needed someone to keep them in line.
She knew how to rein them in when they got too wild.
She could also be a bit of a diva, especially when it came to water. While the boys loved swimming, Sasha would only go in far enough to get her paws wet.
That was good enough for her.
But don’t let her independence fool you. She had a mischievous side, especially when food was involved.
I’ll get to that in a bit.
Roscoe: The Little Guy With the Biggest Heart
Roscoe was one of my two boxers and Taz’s littermate.
He was the runt of the litter, but he had the biggest heart.
Roscoe was a very loving dog, but he also had quite a few health problems throughout his life. He was also very anxious around people he didn’t know, so I was careful about who I allowed around him.
Only a handful of people really got to know him.
But despite his health problems, he never let them stop him from going on adventures with us.
He also loved wrestling with his brother.
One of my favorite things was watching those two play tug-of-war.
Taz would grab the rope, and Roscoe would immediately try to take it from him. Eventually, they’d both bring it over to me, and we’d end up in a three-way tug-of-war.
The funny thing was, if I tried playing with Roscoe and the rope by ourselves, he had absolutely no interest.
Apparently, stealing it from his brother was half the fun.
Roscoe was also usually the first one to greet me when I came home.
And whenever the dogs got into the trash, he was the only one who couldn’t hide his guilt.
The other two would act like nothing happened.
But Roscoe?
You could see it all over his face.
He was a sweet boy, and I loved him dearly.
Taz: The Goofball With The Underbite
And then there was Taz.
If you’ve ever owned a boxer, you’ll probably understand this one.
Taz was the definition of a goofy, hyperactive boxer.
He had the wiggle butt down perfectly, an adorable underbite, and an endless need for attention.
You couldn’t even blink without him thinking it was time to play.
Try to pet him? Playtime.
Walk past him? Playtime.
Look at him?
Yep. Playtime.
He also expected everyone to read his mind, which was pretty funny considering he didn’t always seem to know what he wanted himself.
Taz loved playing with his brother, especially when the rope came out.
But he also had a strange obsession with something else.
Rocks.
Every time we went hiking, he had to find a rock to bring home.
I have no idea why he loved them so much, but he did.
At one point, the backseat of my car was full of rocks he’d collected from our hikes.
I guess everyone needs a hobby.
Taz was definitely a handful, but he brought so much laughter into my life.
He was also the last of my three dogs to go, and saying goodbye to him was especially hard because it meant the end of an era.
Our Adventures Together
If there was one thing my dogs and I loved doing together, it was hiking.
We’d go several times a week and just about every weekend.
Sometimes we’d be gone for a couple of hours. Other times, we’d spend the entire day exploring the mountains.
All I had to do was say the word “hike,” and they were ready to go.
Especially the boys.
Taz and Roscoe had absolutely no concept of downtime.
We could go on a three-hour hike, come home, take a twenty-minute nap, and they’d be ready to go again.
I don’t know where they got all that energy.
One of my favorite places to take them was a hill above my house.
It was relatively flat with a few small hills, and I could always keep an eye on them.
The boys would run around like maniacs, wrestling and chasing each other.
Meanwhile, Sasha would take her sweet time sniffing around, looking for the perfect spot to do her business.
And once she found her spot, the boys would suddenly decide it was time for them to go, too.
It was like they were all in sync with each other.
Summer Days at the River
During the summer, we’d head down to the river.
There was a remote spot I loved going to that required a four-wheel-drive vehicle to reach.
It was quiet, away from the crowds, and had a section deep enough for the boys to swim around while I stood in the water.
I’d bring a pool noodle, and we’d spend our time playing in the river.
Taz and Roscoe absolutely loved it.
Sasha, on the other hand, would stand in the shallow water and get her paws wet.
Such a diva.
Those were some of the best times I had with them. Just being outside, playing in the river, and enjoying each other’s company.
I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything.
The Quiet Moments
As much as I loved watching them run around and play, I also enjoyed the quieter moments.
Sometimes, after a long hike, we’d sit on top of a mountain and just enjoy the view.
There was no rush to get anywhere. We’d just sit there and take it all in.
These are my favorite moments with them.
The Food Thieves and the Cheese Tax
Of course, life with three dogs wasn’t always peaceful.
Especially when food was involved.
Sasha was a notorious food thief.
One day, I made myself a nice steak dinner and sat down to eat.
Then someone knocked at the door.
I got up to answer it, and when I came back, my steak was on the ground, and Sasha was gobbling it up.
Man, was I pissed!
But I couldn’t really blame her. I was the one who left a perfectly good steak unattended.
That was a lesson learned.
After that, I made sure Taz and Roscoe never got the same opportunity.
But that didn’t stop them from begging.
Whenever I ate, I’d have one dog on my left and another on my right, waiting for their handout.
And, of course, there was the cheese tax.
You couldn’t eat cheese in that house without paying the tax.
And one thing I definitely didn’t have to worry about was sweeping the kitchen floor.
With three dogs around, I had three furry vacuum cleaners ready to clean up anything that fell.
I rarely had to touch a broom.
Between the begging, the cheese tax, and my three little vacuums, there was never a dull moment when food was involved.
They Were There When I Needed Them Most
My dogs were there for me during some of the hardest times of my life.
When I went through a bad breakup, I had Sasha.
She was also there at the beginning of my dad’s hospice journey, but unfortunately, I had to say goodbye to her shortly afterward.
During the COVID lockdowns, I had Taz and Roscoe.
And when my dad passed away in 2020, those two were still there with me.
There were times when I felt like everyone else wasn’t around, but I always had my dogs.
They couldn’t fix what I was going through, but just having them around made things a little easier.
They gave me companionship, unconditional love, and something to look forward to.
And they gave me a sense of purpose
We had our routines.
Every morning, we’d wake up, go outside so they could do their business, and then I’d feed them breakfast.
I loved watching them eat. And even though they had their own food, they still wanted mine.
At night, all three of them slept in my bedroom.
Sometimes they’d sleep on my bed, and other times they’d sleep in their own beds. Throughout the night, they’d rotate between the two.
Those were just everyday things we did together, but looking back, they’re some of the things I miss.
Even when life was difficult, I had three dogs who depended on me, and I depended on them just as much.
Caring for them wasn’t always easy. There were responsibilities, challenges, and plenty of moments that tested my patience.
But they were exactly what I needed.
What My Dogs Taught Me About Life
Looking back, I realize my dogs taught me a lot more than I ever expected.
They taught me about being present, unconditional love, loyalty, and finding happiness in the simplest things.
Being Present
Dogs don’t spend their days worrying about tomorrow or what happened yesterday.
They’re focused on what’s happening right now.
When it’s time to eat, they’re excited to eat. When it’s time to play, they’re ready to play. And when it’s time for a walk, it’s the best thing in the world.
My dogs didn’t care about distractions or everything else going on around us.
They just wanted to spend time with me.
And that’s something I’ve learned to appreciate more as I’ve gotten older.
We spend so much time worrying about what’s next that we sometimes forget to enjoy what’s right in front of us.
My dogs reminded me to slow down and enjoy the moment.
Unconditional Love and Loyalty
One of the greatest things about dogs is their unconditional love.
They don’t care how much money you make, what you own, or what kind of day you’ve had.
They just love you for who you are.
No matter what I was going through, my dogs were there for me.
They didn’t judge me, hold grudges, or expect me to be anything other than myself.
And their loyalty never changed.
Whether I was having a great day or going through something difficult, I could always count on them.
That kind of love and loyalty is something I’ll always be grateful for.
Finding Joy in Simple Things
My dogs didn’t need much to be happy.
A walk through the mountains, a trip to the river, a good meal, or a little attention was enough to make their day.
They found excitement in things we sometimes take for granted.
And watching them enjoy those simple things made me appreciate them, too.
I think we sometimes make happiness more complicated than it needs to be.
My dogs reminded me that some of the best things in life are also the simplest.
Making Time to Play and Rest
If there’s one thing Taz and Roscoe knew how to do, it was play.
Those two could go all day if I let them.
But when it was time to rest, they’d curl up and take a nap without a second thought.
Sasha was especially good at that.
She knew when she wanted to play and when she’d had enough.
Watching them taught me that life needs a balance.
There’s a time to work, a time to play, and a time to rest.
And sometimes it’s perfectly fine to do absolutely nothing.
I also loved watching them stretch. They could pull off the perfect downward dog without even trying.
I was always a little jealous of that.
Saying Goodbye
As much as I wish our adventures could have lasted forever, eventually I had to say goodbye.
Sasha was the first to go.
Losing her was heartbreaking. She’d been with me through so much, and suddenly she wasn’t there anymore.
Then came Roscoe.
Losing him was just as hard. He’d been such a loving companion, and I missed having him around.
After Roscoe passed, I noticed Taz starting to go downhill.
Those two had been together their entire lives. They were brothers, playmates, and best friends.
They even shared the same food bowl.
About a year after losing Roscoe, I had to say goodbye to Taz, too.
That was especially hard.
Not only was I losing another best friend, but I was also saying goodbye to the last of my three dogs.
The pack was gone.
And for the first time in a long time, I didn’t have any of them waiting for me at home.
That took some getting used to.
The Little Things I Miss
There are so many things I miss about having them around.
I miss our hikes and our summer afternoons at the river.
I miss watching Taz and Roscoe wrestle while Sasha did her own thing.
I miss the playful growls, the tug-of-war, and the constant begging for food.
I miss the cobbing, those little gentle nibbles dogs give when they’re showing affection.
I miss those cold winter nights when we’d all snuggle up and watch TV together.
Yes, all three of them liked watching TV.
But most of all, I miss coming home to them.
Whether I’d been working, out with friends, or gone for just a little while, I always knew they’d be there waiting for me.
They were always my priority, and I always came home to them.
I still have some of their toys around the house, and every now and then, they remind me of the good times we had.
One day, I’ll probably get another dog.
But right now, I’m enjoying the peace and quiet.
And when that day comes, it won’t be about replacing Taz, Roscoe, or Sasha.
They could never be replaced.
Grateful for Every Moment
It’s been about a year since I said goodbye to Taz.
Some days, I really miss them. Other days, I find myself laughing about the things they used to do.
It just depends on the day.
But more than anything, I’m grateful.
I’m grateful that I was able to give all three of them long, full lives filled with love and adventure. They were there for me when I needed them most, and I hope I gave them just as much happiness as they gave me.
Having three dogs wasn’t always easy, but they were exactly what I needed.
Looking back, some of my favorite memories are the simplest ones. Hiking through the mountains, playing in the river, or just relaxing at home together.
At the time, those were everyday moments. Now they’re memories I’ll always cherish.
If I could go back and do it all over again, I would in a heartbeat.
Every hike, every river adventure, every stolen piece of food, and every rock Taz brought home.
I wouldn’t change a thing.
Taz, Roscoe, and Sasha lived long, full lives. They fulfilled their purpose in my life, and they earned their wings.
They were my family, my pack, and my best friends.
Being their fur dad was one of the greatest honors of my life.
And I’ll always be grateful for the time we had together.
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