Mocha came into my life when I was just an 18 year old kid working odd jobs in Santa Cruz. I was never a dog person but had recently met Mocha's father, Bear, and he was the sweetest dog in the world. All 100+ pounds of him. Bear and our neighbor's female dog had a litter, and their pup Mocha and I started what would become the best friendship I've ever known. About a year later we moved back to the Washington DC area, and he was by my side through college and in the years that followed. There were lots of walks through Rock Creek Park, tennis balls and open fields, and trips to the mountains. Seven years later we packed our things and moved back to the west coast, to Los Angeles and eventually Newport Beach. Bear and his dad had moved to LA a few years earlier, and he and Mocha enjoyed many more good times together.

We had so many great friends along the way, and there were some pretty decent people too. Mocha and I spent the last few years living near the Pacific Ocean, back where it all began, where we enjoyed long walks on the beach, trips to Mammoth and Big Bear, and a few visits to Dog Beach. Even as his legs and hips weakened, his spirit never did, and we enjoyed every moment together until it was time to say goodbye.

I love you Mocha, and I miss you buddy. You live on in my heart and soul.

- Nick