22 Comments
Apr 29, 2021Liked by Jeff Chu 朱天慧

It must also be said: dogs are not grandchildren.

Expand full comment

Your love of Fozzie inspired me today

Reading about giving him a good life got me thinking about how I treat my parents and I've been trying to think of how to better love them as they are fox news and all. Who knew your story would do that ?! You inspire me Jeff to do better.

Expand full comment

"We just want to give him a good life"

Thank you for this article, and this affirmation of giving a pet what you can.

We took in 2 cats 10 years ago, kittens from a feral colony that a workmate was desperately trying to reduce in size. They have lived full lives, until recently healthy & content. One of those boys, the one more taken with me, died 5 weeks ago from what we discovered was likely a heretofore unseen but lifetime ailment he was born with at birth. We miss him (and love his bro). But we know we gave him a life he would not have had that was safe, warm & made him happy. And that is enough.

Oh, and love that running pic.

Expand full comment

Ruby, our rescue dog, seamlessly moved into our retirement, and makes me wonder on a daily basis: who rescued who?

Expand full comment

I have Susan, a smooth haired miniature dachshund, that is 12.5 years old. We bought her as a puppy. This is the longest I've ever owned a pet. If it wasn't for my son, she may have gone to another family many times over. She's had bladder stones, eye growth, skin conditions that all cost more than I ever thought I'd spend on a dog. She loves to dig after moles and although it can frustrate me with the holes or tracked in mud, I can't get mad because she is doing what she was created to do (dig after badgers). I love her. We recently moved to 4 acres of land and she is living her best life running, digging and chasing. After 12 years of trying, she finally caught a squirrel. She carried that prize in her mouth so proud and left it at our door for us to marvel at.

Expand full comment

Fozzie brings me joy - I love reading stories about him.

Expand full comment

I love Fozzie stories and pics and I know it's going to be a good day when I see Fozzie out for a walk on my way to work! Give him a hug from all his faithful followers

Expand full comment

Thank you for sharing your home with Fozzie and giving him space to be his best self. I enjoy your posts about him so much.

PS - We have three rescue dogs who are ridiculously spoiled and loved. That said, the whole “fur baby” term has always annoyed me too.

Expand full comment

I have loved the glimpses of Fozzie over this past year and was so excited he got a whole post! Just over four years ago I was decidedly anti-dog, but then our son persuaded us “just to take a look” at the adoption day in our local pet store. And Mitzy was there waiting for us. Apparently, the previous week no one wanted to take her home. I highly doubt that: I think she didn’t like them and hid or growled until we came along and she picked us. She has changed our lives and in every way for the better. My husband 100% lives up to the “dad said we’re not getting a dog” memes. She was a one year old when we got her and I often wonder about the previous owner who trained her so well and gave her her name but, somehow, I really hope not intentionally, broke her little heart. I’m her chosen human (I feed her: I’m not naive) and the welcoming relief she greets me with makes my day every time.

Expand full comment

What a beautiful and poignant story. We have a dog and a cat that we rescued - or have they really rescued us? Our pandemic year was so much brighter with them around (we've had them for a few years, but never spent THAT much time together, hahaha). Fozzie is perfect for you, and you are for him. I love his name, too.

Expand full comment

What a beautiful story of life-giving and life-sharing love. ❤️

Expand full comment

Thank you for this story about Fozzie. It made my day. I have a 4 year old lab/retriever mix named Tillie. In between her barking she loves to be outside in the sun and just watch the action and sniff the breeze. She is very persistent when it comes to playing and will often drop her big black rubber bone on my sandaled foot (ouch). When I come home at night I sometimes find her on my pillow and she starts to wag her tail. And never call her a fur baby!! :)

Expand full comment
founding

I am so glad I saved your email for my Saturday Morning Coffee read. It’s always my favorite, and your writing about FozzieFozz and how he has pierced your life with such goodness made me smile. I also have a COVID dog, a ShihTzu puppy named Toby who is 6 months old. Living alone can be hard when you also lose the camaraderie of going to an actual office to work. Toby has been equal parts frustrating puppy and adorable companion who I actually talk to daily. He makes almost everyone smile and he’s given me a reason to get out of the walls I live and work in and talk to real human beings in my neighborhood. When I do go to my office, he comes with me and brightens up everyone’s day. And yes, he is a dog, not a human, but I’ll be damned if he doesn’t pull some shenanigans to just show me who is boss around here.

Thank you Jeff for another thoughtful and heart-warming read. And give Fozzie a hello from Toby. I’m sure they’d be fast friends.

Expand full comment

I loved hearing Fozzie’s story! He does have an irresistible sweet face.

Expand full comment

This is so wonderful. Thank you for writing about Fozzie. I love you all so much.

Expand full comment

Oh, your faces (human and dog) on Fozzie's first ride home - what a delight!

Expand full comment