We rescued Hopi Nana 14 years ago from very poor conditions in Greeley CO.  Liz and I found her in a kennel left outside in the winter.  We had to break icicles to get her out of her cage.  Once we got her home we realize she was just a puppy.  She grew to be over 100 Lbs.  We still have pictures of the destruction in our home from the early days, leather couch gone, coffee table destroyed and countless holes on our carpet.  But over time she settled in with our two boys who proceeded her in death; Julio Fuzzfaceious the Furiforous Bear Dog who passed at age 16 and Benito who passed age 10.  Her antics drove Julio and Ben crazy but she fit right in when we decided to have children.  Hopi was there to help both our children; Owen and Kaden walk.  Owen would hang onto her big furry coat and walk around the house and Kaden loved to fall asleep with Hopi as his pillow.  We could never quite figure out what breeds combined to make our orange and white big dog.  One vet said he thought she was an Akita/Saint Bernard mix.  I do know she always turned people’s heads, she was beautiful and she knew it.   My time with her on the trial was the most memorable, of the many hikes, 9 days in the Uintas tested both of us. I remember having to feed her trout to get us through that long hard trip.  She graced us with dignity, love and happiness.  She was a gift that enriched our lives, and we will miss her very very much.   She was laid to rest next to Julio and Ben at the ranch one of her very favorite spots.  Rest in peace Hopi Nana!!