Moki

Long time Silverton local and legend John Shocklee lost his longtime companion and a Silverton Dog legend, Moki. Moki passed away peacefully of old age on Monday November 3rd, 2025, with his Dog Dad by his side. According to John Shocklee who recalled how his journey in life with Moki began recalled, “On Halloween 2011, after a 24-day river trip and about 10 days hiking and camping in the grand staircase Escalante, I decided it was time to get a dog. While driving towards Page Arizona, I decided on his name even before I met him. I was listening to a local Navajo radio station when a Hopi elder spoke about the word Moki. He explained how Moki's were spirits that played all day and slept at night. So now having a name I rolled into Kayenta and found him working the people in the parking lot of the Burger King.

I was able to convince him to come with me by feeding him ham slices from my cooler. His favorite thing was making new friends and being rewarded for it. That was daily. Camping along some river may have been his favorite thing and definitely our favorite thing together. His personality was caring, loving and extremely sweet. When he was younger, he had more ability to be independent and often I worried about where he was, but he always came home.” Moki was a known fixture in town who had more friends than most of us. He trolled through the alleys of Silverton looking for the next restaurant treat that came out the back doors from the owner’s who knew him. Thee Pitts BBQ joint was one of his favorite visits over the summer months and the Silverton Mountain staff were his second family in the winter months.

Moki is one of those Silverton Dogs that everyone knew and looked out for. He will be missed by our community, and we wish John Shocklee peace around his passing. What a good life you gave him John.