From an early age, Ricky loved animals. Growing up in the country, there were plenty to be around. Ricky spoke fondly of his childhood adventures with animals like his pet cow, Samson. He had chickens. He had horses. He had dogs and cats. His love of animals may have come from his mother Neva, who once rescued an opossum from the side of the road and let in live in a sock drawer in her room.

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The Taylor household is always full of animals. Over the years all combined Ricky ran a small zoo. He had cats (Lucky, Momma Cat, Crackers), lizards, fish, guinea pigs, rats and even chinchillas. But Ricky's passion was always with his dogs.

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His first dog was a small Shitzu-pug mix named Trigger. He soon added Tina to the family household. After losing both Trigger and Tina, Ricky found a small beagle/dachshund mix and named her Trina in memory of his first two family dogs. Ricky and Trina were inseparable as they spent over 20 years together before Trina's passing in 2018. When Ricky was working the night shift, he would come home and fall asleep on the couch with a cup of coffee-- which Trina would take as an invitation to finish for him. Trina ate what Ricky ate, and they lived a long life together, from pup to old age. One of the greatest tragedies in Ricky's life was the day he lost Trina.

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Ricky leaves behind his final two dogs, Lincoln and Ruger, who he received from his son Travis. Ruger especially is bonded to Ricky. The night that Ricky passed, before receiving the devastating phone call, Ruger was found whining on his own, as if he knew already to mourn.

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Ricky has many grandpups-- Jilly, Skyler, Cali, Chuggs, Beau, and Oshie. "Grandpa" may not be around to feed them under the table, or make funny noises and faces at them each, but they will miss him dearly.