07/05/2025
This is a tough post to make. Deacon is a staple of Mile High K-9. If he hasn't played a part in the training, socializing, or confidence building of every single dog (and a lot of humans) that have come through our doors, then it was 99.9%, even if it was behind the scenes for you. The most stable, patient, and even keeled guy around. If your puppy started with us, then your puppy crawled on, played with, and learned from Deacon. From the chihuahuas to the Mastiffs. Some of you came in nervous of big dogs, so we did an intro with Deacon. And he very likely calmly approached and then leaned on you. A lot of you asked me to make your dog act just like him💙 He was part of every play group over the years. He was the only dog that many of your dogs tolerated, or even loved. Even if they didn't interact, he was the dog whose calm presence taught other dogs they didn't need to be nervous and helped them learn our routine.
He most definitely has a fan club. I cannot list them all but Penny, Macey, Bobbi Orr, Sunny, Sammie, and Sophie win the top 6 positions, - they truly adored him and melted when seeing him every time they visited. The list of dogs that do not like other dogs, but loved and trusted Deacon, is long.
Deacon came to me from an animal shelter in Colorado. I was working there, doing temperament testing for dogs, when I saw the tips of his ears pass the counter as he was walked to the furthest back room of the shelter - Outlaw Alley. Not the room a dog wanted to land in. I immediately followed to see who that handsome guy was. I was told he walked out with me that day, or he never walked out. Clearly, he went home with me. I was only planning to foster but he was always meant to be my boy💙 He joined my little pack and we moved across the country together multiple times. We worked through some things and he blossomed.
He loved dockdiving, protection, and trick training. He loved routine. He loved people. He loved cuddling. He loved helping other dogs learn. He loved cleaning up the training room for spare treats every evening. He was the steady force so many dogs have benefited from over the years. He was the intro to Mile High and would help dogs adjust and figure out our routine for their visit. He could do that a lot faster than any of us humans could.
We are heartbroken at his loss; he is so missed. His presence is everywhere, in every corner of not only our house but the kennel, the play yards, and in his friends who come in looking for him.
If you have a favorite picture of your pup playing with Deacon, please share it below. I have way too many to post, but will share some of my favorites from over the years. Another day I'll post him "off-duty" and enjoying his hobbies.
Thank you, Deacon. You helped a lot of lives, Buddy. None more than mine💙
Deacon
My Big Man
July 4, 2009 - April 23, 2025