Hudson DuRoss
He was with us...
Those four words pretty much sum it up: Hudson was a faithful friend who, for the last 11 years, was there at every turn. Looking back through the albums, from the ones on the shelves, to those on the computer, nearly each one has a photo of Hudson in there. Sometimes front and center, other times just hanging in the background.
He was really our first kid. We married September 1999, and we picked Hudson out of the litter in early 2000. We named him after "Hudson Rock" at Joshua Tree. He saw it all. Every house we lived in, nearly every adventure, a move across the country, school, house remodeling, and kids. He spent many nights in the tent, in the vestibule, in the truck, and just lounging around in the back yard with us.
He was a great dog. Although annoying at times, Hudson was never far. He was famous for following you around the house, only content and willing to snooze if he knew you were close by. His favorite place to lay was at your feet, whether in the kitchen, under the table, in the garden, or on the floor next to the shower. The first four years were crazy - he would run and run, steal things (shoes, clothes, etc.) and then run some more. He loved to play fetch, swim, lounge in the shade, follow me into the ocean surfing, roll in the snow, go for hikes, and just take strolls around the blocks.
Literally, he was there through thick and thin. He was there when we brought Finn home from the hospital; although he wasn't sure what to think at first, he quickly accepted Finn as part of the family and realized that he was an excellent source of food. He was there on Finn's birthday, his first day of preschool, and on the day we brought Nola home. I have great memories of Finn playing with him, feeding him, walking him, and hugging him. Hudson never complained, never turned down a treat (or dropped food), never failed to bark at the mailman, never had a bad day, never lost his temper, never failed to wag his tail when you came through the door. He was a comfort when we lost loved ones, when Erika miscarried, when we were having bad days.
The last month was difficult. Good days and bad days. Days when we thought he'd pull through; days when we thought it was the end...when he just couldn't take another step and I'd have to carry him inside. We're glad that we were able to take him on one last adventure together...to a cabin where he wandered, got muddy, and just enjoyed being with us.
Hudson, you will be missed. Thank you for teaching us what unconditional love really is. Goodbye "good ole boy."
Chris, Erika, Finn, and Nola
My favorite photo of Hudson. In the San Rafael Swell
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