Koko came to us when Matthew was in 7th grade. Penny Roeder had gotten a tiny shi tshu named Peanut. she carried it around on her janitor's cart and we fell in love. She told us the mama still had 1 puppy left. We went to take a "look". Koko was running after his mama trying to get a little leche. Danny said it was okay to bring the little black fluff ball home. Once he saw him, he was in love too! Nicknames for Koko: Koko love Fluffy pants fluffy Butt Big brother snaggle tooth Koko Loco Koko loco licky hiney ho Kokonator Bobo Sneezers Things we loved about Koko Quiet sit down beside you when playing the piano He loved sitting on rocks and low tables to keep watch He kept watch for the Hun during fires he always faced into the darkness He jumped over a fire one time He slept in bags, crevasses, on top of my shoes, in closets He loved to follow me around and sit near me, I especially found comfort in his company when I did lesson plans on Sunday evenings. He'd bite at you if you got your foot too close He played like a vicious animal if you wore a leather glove He played with your hand under the bed covers He got the zoomies after baths He liked riding in the kayak but not swimming He sneezed right in your face- all the time He loved belly rubs, especially from Sheila He'd get his beanie baby at night and chew it gently before bed He liked walks, also riding in a wagon He would let us carry him in a backpack and look out contentedly He would paw at your cup on car rides to get a drink He loved his groomer Sarah at Bark Avenue His 1st groomer said he was the worst behaved dog she had ever groomed. He came back with 2 blood shot eyes from the bad experience. He had bad anal gland infections a few times so he didn't like the vet When he barked, his front legs would pop up He liked to stay at both grandparents houses He used to lick us a lot with his soft tongue He loved carrots. Mom would carry around a baggie of them when he stayed with them He had a very bad reaction to chocolate one time. He raced around the house all night until 2:00am! He survived diabetes for 2 1/2 years. He remained a happy dog even though he was suffering from a collapsed trachea and difficulty breathing. I miss his beautiful ginger fur coat. It was so thick and long. Goodbye dear Koko until we meet again. My heart is broken to say goodbye but I know that you were struggling and we were both exhausted from all your difficulties.