The following story was submitted in the Pawsitively Picture Perfect photo contest. The top three finishers received $500 in cash, as well as $2,000 in cash and supplies for their favorite shelter. To read more stories, click here!

Daphne was a champion snorer, that is, she snored and you heard her snore. Whether she was sleeping, or taking a nap, which was often, she snored. She let me know where she was with her snoring.

PHOTO: LAWRENCE YEE

Daphne was also a champion snortler. When you gave her belly rubs, she snortled. She snortled when she sniffed in the yard. She snortled when she put her nose under your arm for a snuggle.

Her snortling and snores made you smile and made everyone smile. Daphne’s snortles, happy nature, constantly wagging natural tail, and smiles endeared her to everyone she met. That, and she got along so well with humans and animals alike.

PHOTO: LAWRENCE YEE

I started fostering Daphne for Norcal Boxer Rescue (NCBR) when she was a senior. Her sunny personality made me wonder why she was given up to a shelter. I just felt very lucky to have the opportunity to foster this big, gentle, very affectionate senior boxer mix with the beautiful smile.

Alas, a tumor was found in Daphne’s spleen and we had to put her to sleep. Daphne happily snortled when her best NCBR friend came to visit her one last time for hugs and belly rubs. I had the hardest time taking her to the vet for the last time. We took our last walk on her favorite trail where she happily sniffed and snortled. At the vet’s office, we heard her last snore.

Daphne was truly a champion snorer and snortler and we will always remember and miss her snoring and snortling every day.

PHOTO: LAWRENCE YEE

This story was submitted by Lawrence Yee in support of NorCal Boxer Rescue. To read other stories from the Pawsitively Picture Perfect photo contest, click here!