Today, I want to break that mold a little bit.
Yesterday, I said goodbye to my best friend.
It was sudden and unexpected.
For Saint Bernards, that reality is even shorter than most.
I decided to write this blog for a few reasons.
For starters, I need the release.
He is just as much a part of your lives as he is mine.
In November 2016, the Boston Celtics started their season 5-5.
At that time, things just didn’t feel right.
For me, that meant making the decision to bring in a magical puppy to the mix.
I don’t really know how to explain it.
He was my soul dog.
Now that he was part of the crew, it was clear what his goal was.
He was going to be the thing that turned the 2016-17 Celtics season around and ultimately win a championship.
I didn’t know how, but I felt it in my bones.
Naturally, I did what I imagine every Masshole new parent does.
It was at this moment that I knew he was truly the Chosen One.
In my opinion, the results speak for themselves.
Over the next handful of years, Walter did what any normal puppy with title aspirations would do.
He watched the film
and just like the franchise, he stayed the course.
Trust me, I know how insane that sounds.
Just like with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Walter was molded by the pain of failure.
Together, they would one day figure it out.
Which brings us to 2024.
At this time, the Jays were no longer these young pups.
You could see how their game and mentality had matured.
Walter, was also no longer a young pup.
Now 7 (almost 8) years old, he was basically just like the Jays.
This was the season where everything was coming together.
As we saw, the 2024 Boston Celtics had one of the greatest regular seasons in NBA history.
That wasn’t an accident considering the players and my magical puppy were operating at full power.
Once the playoffs came around, they got even better.
He didn’t just turn this team around, he helped them become champions.
Not just in some sort of dream from my delusional brain, but in real life.
Like I said, I get how silly this sounds.
His mission was complete.
and what was the last Celtics game he ever saw as they became champions?
Both wins at home.
Both against the Mavs.
Both holding them to under 100.
My boy did it.
As I sit here and reflect on his life, Walter will forever be my magical puppy.
And even better than that, for the rest of eternity he’ll forever be a champion.
May he rest in peace.
