Marvin began his life with me as a puppy.  I found him at the local shelter where a breeder had left him.  After I had him for about a week, he became very sick with what turned out to be Parvo.  I took him to the hospital where he recovered for ten days in a room full of cats.  After that he always liked cats.



Marvin was devoted to me and went almost everywhere I did.  That's what he loved most - to be wherever I was.  We would go to the local coffee house together and he would sit in my lap while I read the paper.  Whenever I went to someone’s home, I would always ask if Marvin could come too, and he could because everyone loved him.  I would bring one of his many beds wherever we went and put it close to me and he would just get in and lay down.  The minute I got up to do something, he would get up and follow me.  He was such a good little boy.



Marvin loved to go for rides in the car.  When he knew we were going, he would run and grab one of his toys to take with him.  He would carry his toy proudly to the car, his head held high.  He liked to stick his head out of the window when we drove, but only if we were going less than 35 mph, so I would drive slowly for him.  Whenever we got to where we were going (or he thought we were there) he would bark and grunt excitedly –sounding like a little chipmunk.  Then he would clamor to get out of the car and start whatever adventure was next in store for him.



Marvin loved food.  He would steal the cats’ food whenever he could, and was always ready for a handout.  He would raid the compost pile as often as possible, and got to be very sneaky about it since he knew he wasn’t supposed to go in there.  When we were cooking (or whenever we walked into the kitchen) he was there, ready for anything to fall his way, and it always did.  He didn’t usually beg at the table, but he knew there was something left over for him and he would run into the kitchen after each meal to see what he got.  Other than spinach and lettuce, Marvin would eat anything: onions, carrots, the odd garlic, anything.  He loved tomatoes and would steal them from my plants when I wasn’t looking.  He was very gentle with them and if I tried to take one from him he would hold his jaw such that I couldn’t get the tomato but he wouldn’t break the skin.



Marvin loved to sit in the sun.  He loved to run in a field, hopping along like a bunny rabbit, his ears flapping all around.  He loved to walk to the neighbors house where there was always a treat waiting for him.



More than anything, Marvin loved and trusted me completely.  He was a wonderful friend and I am fortunate to have spent almost 13 years with him, although I wish it could have been much longer. I love Marvin more than I can express, and shall miss him always.