Obi

December 2012 - May 2026

Obi was an allergy dog with a limp and a chronic ear infection. Someone must have recognized he was special and chose him for transfer from a high-kill shelter in California to the Toronto Humane Society, where we adopted him in 2018.

As urban millennial dog lovers, we were excited to welcome him into our lives, and Obi thrived in his Toronto era. We took him for long walks in High Park and along the lakeshore. He joined us at craft breweries and on restaurant patios. In every neighbourhood we lived in, Obi would find—and frequently insist on visiting—the stinkiest dumpster, in search of stale bread and chicken bones.

When we moved to Winnipeg, Obi adapted to a slower pace, settling into our home and enjoying the sunny back porch. He loved visits to the cottage on Lake of the Woods, where he roamed through the forest and joined us for boat rides and beach picnics.

When our daughter, Maxine, was born, Obi’s gentle nature made him an exceptional family dog. He tolerated enthusiastic petting and politely observed meals—patiently waiting for food to drop. As soon as Maxine could walk, he let her hold his leash, graciously accepting outings that were shorter and more chaotic than he would have preferred.

Through every move and life event, Obi was a constant source of affection, comfort, and stability. He brought us closer together and helped connect us with our neighbours. He stopped frequently to sniff, reminding us to slow down and notice beauty in unexpected places. We will always cherish memories of his goofy personality and his rare and stupendous acts of agility. We are grateful for the joy he brought to our lives, and we will miss him.