Shred Morham

My Favorite Furry Friend

Last week my favorite furry friend passed away. It is with a heavy heart I write in his honor, a legacy of loyalty, friendliness and love for his family.

Shred has been a deep part of my life for over a decade. He lifted me out of great personal despair, taught me the meaning of life, and evoked a multiplicity of perspectives by which I now live.

We went on walks nearly every weekend and I visited him as much as I could manage. He was my favorite excuse to get outside. His friendly, smiling and excited demeanor brought smiles to everyone he met. People would often comment how handsome he was, appreciating the spring in his step and bright greetings.

I have become so used to his presence that I still see him in the stairwell window, on the couch, or laying on the balcony, porch, and garden. His unique mannerisms are ever present, his spirit so deeply active, I still feel his nose checking my hand, going through my legs, and licking my face to cheer me up.

His nose prints are still on my car windows, fur still stuck in my seats, drool still on my center console. Shred is everywhere, built deep into the routines of my life. Still providing his cheerful spirit beyond time.

All this is to say that we love and miss his cheerful trot greeting us when we arrive, ready to play and maybe even catch a treat! I feel a deep need to carry on his puppy like spirit and to honor his active love, play, and affection. He taught me how to care, how to play, how to love, and how to live. I learned from him many of my life’s most important life lessons.

I remember when we first picked Shred up at the Ridgeback Ranch, he was just a little puppy, with big paws! He curled up in my lap, and he never stopped, even when he was 110lbs!

I remember how much he loved frolicking in the snow, how he would chase us when we were sledding, how he snuffled his nose in the fresh snow.

Shred could take up the whole couch if given the opportunity. His default daytime snooze was always on the couch. During the winter he would lay down in the sphinx position to feel the warm central air coming out from under the couch. In the summer he would do the same but for the cool central air.

He was always in good spirits, he never let anything get him down or missed an opportunity to wander the neighborhood if the gate was left open. He was known by everyone and always returned safely. We thank those who ensured he made it home safely.

Shred was the best excuse to go for a walk, or to the park, he always had extra pep in his step when he got out of the car, ready to smell everything and play with other dogs. Everyone at the park always commented how handsome and puppy like he acted.

When we visited the park in the evening, he always played with friends, romping around happily with the other puppies. We’d often go walk the river loop and check for hoodlums in the trees. Sometimes he’d give people a quick lick before checking for food then he’d be off to find his next target. Sometimes we had to restrain him from eating through trash left by the ne'er-do-wells.

A few times when I was still in college and was able to come home on the weekends, we practically ran up to the living room from where the Natural History Museum is. That quite a steep hike! The view was gorgeous. One time shred, still a young puppy, ran halfway back to the top to play with another puppy! I nearly fainted running straight up the steepest mountain to go get him back.

Shred always liked to keep moving, when people wanted to stop and picknick too long he would start to whine and woof a little, wander off to get our attention back on the mission at hand, walking

He loved to drink out of the goldfish’s plant water, we were never quite sure why he did it, if it tasted better or if he just liked the height. I had to fill it up twice a day during the summer.

Shred also loved to lay in the sun, he had his various sun patches for all different times of day. In the backyard garden dirt, on the side of the house in the driveway, underneath the dining room table, or on the balcony. He knew when it was time to move from spot to spot, soaking in the sunny rays.

He loved a good neck skritching, and ear scrunchy, a tummy rub, and especially a rump skritch. Sometimes he’d scratch his head in the bushes in the backyard.

If you weren’t paying attention or left out some food, he considered it to be his for the taking. One time he even ate fish food and boy did it come out stinky. It could wake you up in the night!

Though he wasn’t allowed on the bed, I’d periodically wake up to him joining me, and I loved a good Shred snuggle, though eventually he took over the whole bed.

He made friends everywhere he went, I’m just glad I could tag along too.

Despite being a huge and beastly hound dog, he was somehow careful enough not to bite my daughter Murphy’s hand when she learned she could feed him her food right off the table. I am grateful she was able to meet him and sad that when she calls to him, he can only answer in spirit.

He was happy all the way until the end. His spirit still licking my face, going through my legs, and requesting treats of my food. Thank you Shred, for your endless positive acts of love, I feel you are my guardian angel, may our spirits always rise.

See you again in resurrection 💖