“At sixteen, most dogs die by the fireplace, slowly and painfully of old age. Mason retreated from this world, saving my life and the lives of the three younger dogs.

Pets are man’s elegant friend, and this is the guide you need. This is the amazing tribute to Stephen Mason, a 16-year-old Husky/Lab/Rottweiler mix who put his life on the line and gave everything for his loved ones. This is a story you will never forget.

“This is Steve Mason, the most amazing dog I have ever met and my elegant companion for the past 16 years.” Here is an account of how he once again failed to save my life.

“Steve Mason, ‘Mason’ to his mates, was a Husky-Lapp-Rottweiler hybrid with an unusual, ethereal familiarity and facial markings that made him look like he was always wearing Harry Potter specs. I chose him from a litter of puppies because, while the others were… They barked and screamed and played, and he was the only one who stopped to smell the flowers.

“He and I had been on enough adventures to put the Fellowship to shame, and climbed more mountains than I can remember. He had this way of activating his consciousness that could keep me going, either to the top of the ridgeline or from whatever stupid pressure I was in.” I’m confused.

“He was obsessed with shortening the sticks and tearing up any cardboard he could get his hands on.” He was incredibly meticulous, but multiple vacuums failed to clean up his mistakes.

“Mason was a wonderful friend and a constant gem of a companion to my elderly family, as well as a travel companion like no other. Every time he saw my family, even after five years, he would try to jump into his arms like a puppy.

“Everyone who met him said he was a wonderful dog, and many said he was the sweetest human they had ever met.

“It started to show its age over the course of a couple of years.” The cold had deserted him and part of his sight, as well as his sense of balance.

 “I kept expecting him to pass out in his sleep or collapse while walking.

“My biggest worry was that he would get so old and weak that we would have to put him down. I didn’t think I would be able to go through what I went through with so many previous pets. He was one of a kind, and simply looked old.

“But he simply kept going, unwilling to slow down. He went slowly and couldn’t go any further, but it didn’t seem to bother him.

“During my free time, I made an effort to have as many experiences with him as possible, knowing that our days together might be short. On March 5th, he and I set out with my family’s three small dogs for a short walk around our property before I had to go to work.

“We were about a quarter mile from home on the snowshoe trail when I noticed a stranger following us. I respected him as a wolf to the core. I haven’t seen a wolf in my valley in maybe fifteen years, but wolves are usually around. Shy and hiding from humans, especially if He had four dogs, and for consideration I directed us towards the house, let the wolf get away, and assumed nothing more about it.

“After a few flashes, the Lower Fang came out of a canoe, and I turned to see the wolf standing five bases behind us.” She was huge, her shoulder almost touching my hipsterite. She was frightened but determined, and most importantly, she seemed empty. We were in grave danger. She attacked, and we spent the next twenty flashes fighting her. While the dogs gnawed at them and struggled to escape with their teeth, I hit them with my ski poles. She was weak, but she fought well.

   “Mason and I finished fighting alongside each other. The wolf continued to stare at me, but it was clear that she was chasing the dogs. Mason lunged at her when she predicted the slightest fang. My fragile old father was huge, bigger than me. “I’ve seen him before. He knocked her off the puppy, but she grabbed Mason’s throat. It was over in an instant. I’ve never screamed so loud before. Every fiber of my being told me to kill her, to stab her in the eye, to snap her neck if possible. But that would have killed me too, and I had three more dogs to get out of there. It’s already too late. He was no longer alive, and she was devouring him.

   “I am the wolf. This photo was taken the next morning by some guards and the nearby border post when she was wandering through history. Although I wanted to kill her at the time, it is one of the most beautiful effects I have ever seen.” Now that it’s over, I have no ill will towards her. She was dying of hunger and did whatever she had to do to survive. I assume she went into the battle thinking she might be the one who died, and it was only chance that she got it first I can only hope she survives this valley.

 “I miss Mason like a hole in my casket.” Though I know there was nothing I could have done differently, I can’t get away from the fact that I failed to save him. However, the greatest dogs at sixteen bye the house, sluggishly and sorrowfully of old age. Mason bolted from this world, sparing my life and the lives of the three youngish dogs. He was my puppy, my “Grizzly”, my family, and my buddy, and he failed as long as he lived. My hero. I adore you, pal. Goodbye.” 

Still, if we could ask Mason, I’m sure it’s how he would have wanted to go; as an idol preserving what he loved most in the world. What a wonderful tale. 

 Mason, may you rest in peace. You will never be forgotten.