I grew up living with dogs. Our family pets included anywhere from 3 to 8 dogs at one time.
Growing up, our home was never quite silent; the dogs barking added to the ambiance, whether it was feeding time, seeing other animals outside the gate, or simply excited to see us come home. Our loving and loyal dogs always were part of our family.

When I got married and moved out of my parent’s home, it was hard to leave our dogs, but I still did get to visit them from time to time, and every time I came home, they would excitedly jump around and wag their tails as if I never left.

Beljon was a handsome dog. He usually received compliments from visitors and pet owners who’d see him at the vet. His light shades of plush brown fur looked grand when shed with sunlight. As a guard dog, Beljon excelled, and any intruder, whether animal or human, would be scared of his presence, especially when he stands close to 5 feet tall.

Mom passed away in 2018, and as the pandemic required people to stay home, Beljon’s role as a family member greatly complemented the social life of my dad and aunt, who, along with two other dogs, kept a sense of normality in daily life in the confines of my parents' home.

Two years ago, Beljon started to show signs of aging, and trips to the vet became more frequent. Adding a few medical conditions to his old age, Beljon’s health slowly deteriorated. He struggled but survived thanks to a custom diet, medication, and regular checkups. Even with all that, we had an idea that Beljon was weak when he started losing weight, lost appetite, and struggled to stand up without fumbling. Last August 14, 2026, Beljon laid down near the car and took his last few breaths before going to sleep permanently.
Beljon lived a long and full life, surrounded by love and care from family, including several different people who lived in our house over the span of 12 years. Thank you, Beljon, for giving us joy, security, love, and care as much as we loved and cared for you. We will miss you dearly.