Hello everyone. I was asked by Boston Terrier Network, to write a follow up to the first part of our story, of how Akiles' love saved my life .

 I write this with tears in my eyes and pain in my heart, as my beloved Akiles passed away suddenly this morning.

I took him out, he came back in laid down for his nap. I went to pet him 10 minutes later and he was lifeless. Maybe this is how the story of us is to be concluded.

Brent is sitting next to me as I write this. Brent is a bulldog I am fostering for a total stranger who read our story,(link to original story at bottom of page.) and contacted me on a leap of faith, to watch his dog while he entered recovery. Brent's owner came back, got him, and we made friends for life. Just so happens I was asked to "bullysit" Brent for a couple weeks, while all this happened. I'm grateful Brent was here to ease my pain, and is still here, as I haven't stopped crying.

Before all this happened,  When our story came out (on Boston Terrier Network),  I was inundated with friend requests.  Our fan page SillyAkiles became a Facebook phenomenon. I just got the idea one day to make a compilation video of bulldogs with cool music.

The ideas couldn't stop popping in my head and next thing you know, I did videos of Bully shaming, tributes to our troops, and other wacky funny stuff. I also did memorial videos as I didn't want to exclude those that had passed.

It just kept steam rolling and videos were getting 8000 views in one day! Before I knew it our fan page, just became about fun and happiness. Funny posts about Akiles running for president, Akiles starting the first ever Bulldogs MC(*motorcycle club), Pictures and adventures of Akiles and myself out and about.

The more I gave, I couldn't stop giving. I almost felt like Santa Clause. People would write me and beg to be in one of our videos. I got marriage proposals and stuff like that. I started getting contacted by rescue organizations to make videos for them. People asked me to make memorial videos for their dogs.

I became a voice for dogs, and wherever injustice was I was there. I wish I could put a cape and costume on and help every dog and animal that needed saving.

I felt a sense of purpose again in my life. Before all this, tennis was my purpose and my claim to fame. Well that's been over 20 yrs ago. I thought OK, that was my mark. The rest of my life will just be what it is.

Boy was I wrong! That was done all for me. Everything I do now has been about helping others and animals. People always ask what will your legacy be. If its this Silly Akiles and my helping of animals then I will die a happy man. The worst thing to do is go through life without purpose and wonder what your contribution was. My bulldog, guardian angel, and son Akiles taught me all of this.

Love everyone unconditionally and you will be the happiest person alive. I have less now than I ever did. I live in a 27 foot RV in my sisters two acre backyard, because I want to be with my nieces and family. Its all I need right now. I'm still coaching professional tennis players, and world top juniors, but this has become my passion. I didn't realize it untill recently. 

But looking back I was always saving animals along with my sister.  It took me 45 years to find inner peace. I will be honest, it was scary at first.

When your life is about turmoil, anger, hate, jealousy and drugs.... tranquility is frightening.

 We had our critics and instead of lashing out at them I remained calm and turned their negatives to positives. I understood. People looked at me and said "This guy is just about him, and loves being center of attention."  I'm not gonna lie. Who doesn't?  But as before,  I didn't let my popularity take me where I once went.

Once we were called "spammers" cause I posted in so many groups.  But truth was I just wanted to share my love of bulldogs and akiles with everyone. Our supporters sent in pics of their dogs with "spam" on them. We made it into a joke.  We never heard from the critics.

I never charged anyone for a video, nor said no to anyone who asked. I answered everyone back and people would share all their bulldogs and stories with me and I loved listening.

In conclusion, the bottom line is, coming out with my story on Boston Terrier Network, lifted the weight of the world Ihad been carrying with me all my life. People forgave me. but I hadn't forgiven myself till recently. I felt like a hypocrite cause people would say what a great guy I was, but I had all these skeletons. When all these people knew my secret and still accepted me it gave me the acceptance I needed.

Silly Akiles was about to go to the next level. I found myself loving Akiles even more and love was bursting out of my heart and then yesterday happened. My life lesson was concluded. Akiles taught me all I needed to know.

 I'm heartbroken but not angry. I went through 3 miscarriages and denounced God every time. I lost the most important thing in my life yesterday.  This time, found myself thanking God for bringing Akiles into my life. Lesson learned wouldn't you say?

I would just like to add what worked for me doesn't necessarily work for you. You must find your own path. I know my story has touched many and I been called a saint and hero. I don't think that at all, but its flattering.  Silly Akiles will go on and my help of dogs and animals will continue. I didn't realize what I created, until yesterday.

People mourned Akiles as if he were their own. Everything I've done selflessly came back 1000 times more.  People worldwide flooded my page and left posts.

And this just in as I finish writing this. I will be bringing home a 2 yr old rescue someone offered me. Its by no means to replace Akiles but Silly Akiles is about helping and Akiles would want this. God I love you. Akiles I miss you so much. I'll see you soon, but not yet. Lets finish what we started  :)

UPDATE FROM BOSTON TERRIER NETWORK: We thought you might like to see the 2 yr old bully that Robert mentioned above.       We have added this from Robert's timeline just as we were finishing this. We want to thank Robert for allowing us to share his story with you.  I do believe that Robert's story has a long way to go. Don't you!!

 

NOTE FROM BOSTON TERRIER NETWORK: You can contact Robert on facebook Silly Akiles MTB(Music Television Bulldogs). You just might be able to talk Robert into doing a music slideshow for you too!