January 8, 2002 – April 28, 2010

We first fell for Tyson for his handsome good looks on his FBRN page – soulful brown eyes, distinguished gray muzzle, toothy grin.

We brought Tyson home a few months short of his seventh birthday, on a summer-like Thanksgiving weekend in October 2008. Tyson marked his arrival into his new life by jumping up from the ground and on to the outdoor dinner table just as we were about to sit down to a backyard holiday feast. Tyson, we quickly learned, was more than a pretty face. And we were smitten.

For the next year and a half Tyson continued to brighten our life with his silly antics. Adventuresome and spirited, he loved wrestling with daddy, protecting the backyard from squirrel intruders, hiding bones in the garden dirt, jaunts around the neighbourhood, and stirring up a ruckus with the biggest dogs at the dog park, all alongside his kid sister, Lola (a frog-dog too).

Tyson’s gusto was perfectly tempered by his enormous sweetness. He was a true people dog, and a mama’s boy, always contentedly following us about the house, and snuggling his toasty little self up against us whenever the opportunity presented itself. Especially gentle with our young nieces and little old ladies, Tyson was innately sensitive.

He was unfailing in his adoration for us and his sister Lola, and we for him.

After a very sudden and brief illness, Tyson was diagnosed with malignant histiocytosis, a rare form of cancer; fittingly, given Tyson’s great big presence, one that normally only effects large dogs. With Tyson severely weak with anemia and all treatment options exhausted, we had to say goodbye. Our dear little Mr. T. passed away peacefully, in his daddy’s arms, on April 28, 2010, at the too-young age of 8.

We are forever grateful to the good folks of FBRN, and Sandy and Tom especially, for entrusting us with such a bright, tender soul.

Much love to our good boy Tyson. Until we meet again…
Erin and Darryl