This dog was absolutely a genius. He was a part chocolate lab and collie. Picture a BIG boy with a chocolate lab head and body, with a white nose and a white tip on his long tail. Hootie certainly was a dog that knew he was human. I believe he was reincarnated from a thinking professor or something like that. He would remember where he put every toy, and treat. He knew everyone by their name. He would "tell" you exactly what he wanted and what he was doing. He was by my side every minute that I was there. He would wait for me to come home from work, and he would give me those big brown eyes when I left for work. He would ride in the car with me when I could take him. He would bark at people when we would be sitting at the red light as if to say, "Hey, I am with MOMMY." But, when we were driving along, he would be an angel and quiet. Hootie would protect me and "tell" me things until he wasnt able to walk without help. He tried his best not to offend any of us in the family by showing too much affection to one person. He would sit on the couch with us. Which doesnt sound like much, but he was nearly six feet in length when he was stretched out. He would hide under the coffee table when the thunder storms would come. Just look at Hootie and you would know when we were going to get a storm. He would be shaking like a leaf. His beautiful brown eyes would smile when my husband and I would come in from our jobs. He would wag his tail, so hard that his back end would shake, until he was unable to wag it that it would cause him pain. I know that after the long years of love and devotion, his failing body and sadness in his once smiling eyes were telling me that "Mommy it is time", God knows I love that boy, and I didnt want to make the decision alone. So, the family, and the vet, and Hootie's reactions to our little talks told me that he needed to find his new home in Rainbow Bridge where his body would be renewed. God I miss him. But, I know he is better than he has been in a long time. He is just watching and waiting for us.