Peluchin

Peluchin was my mixed Pomeranian.  He was my best friend.  When I fond out he died, I felt like part of me was missing.  I had him since he was little.  Even if he ripped my stuffed animals heads off, I still love him very much.  No dog would replace him no matter what.  To make myself feel better I think about the good times we had.  I know he's in a better place, and that better place is in my heart.       Samarcita 

A Tribute to "Sasha" Matthews-Bellows, a very special girl

Earl T. & Elvis

I do not have the words to describe how much I miss Elvis! He was my best buddy and shadow for 12 years!  So I'll let this author of "Just a Dog" express it for me!

Elvis
July1997-September 2009

JUST A DOG

From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog."

They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog." Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

Because of "just a dog", I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog", but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a man or woman."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile -- because they "just don't understand."

"Just a Dog" by Richard A. Biby, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

Carlos Logan      ~1998 to 6-12-08

Posted by Vi Logan on Jun 22, 2008

This column is very hard for me to write this week, as my heart is breaking.
My sweet, wonderful, little "Carlos" has left me. His heart, which was so
full of love, has given out, and I miss him more that I can say. He was so
very good, and everyone loved him. I could write volumes about all of his
habits and his cute little ways that would always make me laugh, but for
now, I'd just like to share a few with you.

He always wanted to be covered up - from head to toe - no matter what the
temperature. But he never wanted me to be out of his sight. So, I had beds
for him all over the house, so that he could be comfortable, wherever I was,
and if he lifted his head out from under the blanket he could see me. That
made him happy - and me, too! I loved it!

In the living room he was always on the couch, covered up next to me.
However, there is a bed in the living room under the coffee table, that I
call his "pouting bed"! He went everywhere with me, unless, of course, I
was going someplace that dogs weren't allowed, which wasn't very often. So
when he saw me getting ready to go out, he would look at me with those big
eyes, waiting for me to say, "Yes, you can go!" He would get so excited,
and his little tail would go so fast that you would think he was going to
take off! When I couldn't take him, I would say, "I'm so sorry", and he
would know what that meant, and his little tail would go down and he would
go into his "pouting bed". Oh, boy, did I ever feel guilty! You can be
sure that I didn't stay away too long!

The routine that we had is hard to forget. I still keep thinking that it's
time to get him his breakfast or dinner, time for his medication, time for
our walks, which were many during the day, or to go for his favorite, our
walk in the park every afternoon. It will be extremely hard to see all his
little friends who loved him so very much - how do you explain to them?
They were always so excited to see him.


On the days that I volunteer at the shelter, he would, of course, always go
with me. He had a bed next to my desk, and as usual, always stayed
completely covered up. Everyone got such a kick out of that. He was so
loved, and he will be greatly missed by all. He had his special little
friends there and would get so very excited to see them. He even let some
of them share his bed!.


When I go to bed, I'm still careful about the way that I move, as I don't
want to disturb him. Then I remember. Oh, my gosh - this is so hard! I've
been through this many times before, but it doesn't get any easier. It
tears your heart out, each and every time.

I'm not really sure how old "Carlos" was. Maybe about 10 years, or so. I
adopted him from this shelter a little over two years ago, the same as I did
sweet little "Pushkin", before him, When you're thinking of adding a pet
to your family, please rescue one from a shelter. They know they've been
rescued and will pay you back a million fold with more love than you can
imagine.
I find myself rambling from one thought to another, so I think it's time to
close. I could fill this whole paper with my thoughts about my dear little
boy. As hard as it is right now, I am so very glad that he was part of my
life. The wonderful memories of him will always be with me.

Sleep well, my sweet baby, I'll love you always.

Dave

Not an exceptionally affectionate cat, unless he was hungry.  Then he would pour on the charm.  But if you weren’t quick enough…..he would proceed to your favorite items and, making sure you were watching, push them off the counter or dresser, wherever they happen to be.  They would end up on the floor, sometimes in pieces.  I learned to keep my camera way away from the edge of the table.

Dave would wake us up every morning, about 15 minutes before the alarm was to go off.   Again, if you didn’t get up, and quickly, he’d begin the swiping of items onto the floor.  This applied to weekends as well.  When you fed him, he’d eat so fast that he’d barf.  Usually on a bed or couch or my favorite rug.  His favorite, I believe, was to get as high up as he could on something, and then vomit.  It would go everywhere, he‘d always make sure of that. The whining would begin again, because he was empty.  Dave had a need to be full at all times. 

Dave would pound on closed doors relentlessly, jumping up and knocking the doorknob till it made you crazy, so you would get up and let him in.  Just when you sat down, he’d change his mind and want back out.  When you opened the door to let him back out, he’d stand there, look up at you, and as if it was an emergency, lick his butt.

Dave would wag his head from side to side before he’d take off running, the only thing to slow him down was his big belly… it would jiggle, side to side, which I think would set him off balance on occasion. 

He’d lay right in the middle of your morning paper, he would lay stretched out, right in the hallway just when you would need to bring the groceries in from the car.  He only drank water out of a running faucet, so as soon as you needed to wash your face, he’d jump in the sink and take his sweet time drinking.  His favorite time to do this was if you were running late.

He would chew on my favorite palm tree in the living room.  He’d only do it if you were within watching distance.  I think this was his way of payback for not being allowed outside.

He got into all the wrapped Christmas presents, chewing every single bow.  He’d pee on the tree.  He tried to climb into every gift bag.  He’d settle his big self on top of the gifts until the boxes would cave in.  They always caved in. He’d swipe at the glass ornaments.  Only the glass, breakable ones.

Sometimes while you were sleeping, he’d get right into your face and blow air thru his nose at you.  This always cracked me up, and I loved it.

He licked everything.  Bird cage, broom handle, your forehead.  He was afraid of the cockatiel.  It could back him into a corner.  Dave slept on his back, legs up in the air.  He was big and wide, so he could do that.  I don’t think he ever jumped up on my lap.  He didn’t mind if you gave him love and attention, but he’d never come looking for it. (unless he was hungry).

He plopped himself into every box that ever came through our doors.  He chased rocks if you threw them for him.  He sniffed at everything, just like a dog does.  Living with Dave was a chore, he was demanding.  The kids were jealous of him because he could do no wrong in my eyes.  We lived our lives around him.  We have endless Dave stories.  Although he broke my heart the day he died, I never would have changed a moment spent with him.

Thank you, my GAC family, for helping him to go with grace.  (This was the only thing he did graceful, so he completed a full, entertaining life).

Thanks, also, for listening to me drone on about Dave like a proud mother all these years, and for putting up with seeing his face all over the clinic.  Whenever I got the chance to paste his adorable face on something, I would. 

Dave was the most comical and amusing animal we have ever known. 

We miss his antics. I can still feel him in our home.

I am blessed to be surrounded by friends who understand this grief.  

See you again someday, Dave.

I love you more than words can tell.   xoxoxoxo 

Jan

Delilah

Bandit: 11/92 – 2/07

Our loving companion Bandit passed away on February 7, 2007.

Bandit was 14 years old, a husky shepherd mix of lovable dog who joined our household at the tender age of 3 weeks old in December of 1992. While working at SDG&E in South Bay, Greg and his fellow workers had found a den of newborn puppies, rescued them and Greg brought Bandit home to live with us. Bandit earned his name from the “mask” framing his face like a bandit. Grandma Tisdale came up with the name and it was a perfect fit.

Bandit was our first “kid” before we had children. Bandit loved to sit beneath the girls’ highchair and eat any food that flew from the girls’ hands. He was always quick to clean up after the girls and came to know both of them by name. Bandit was very protective of both girls and would follow them around the house in the evening and make sure they got into their beds. He was a very smart dog and understood words like “go to the park”, “walk”, “treat”, “milk bone”, “daddy”, and “where’s the girls?”

Bandit was very patient with new puppy Stella who joined our home in March last year. Bandit taught Stella which couch was okay to sleep on, how to drink out of the dog faucet in the backyard, where to go potty, the best place to lie in the sun and how to sleep on our bed at night.

Bandit will forever remain in our hearts and we will always have fond memories of him playing in the surf at Coronado Dog Beach with Greg, walking around our neighborhood with our family, going for car rides, eating the tomatoes in my garden, waiting patiently for his share of leftovers and enjoying a good brushing from the girls.

Rest in peace Bandit……….The Wheat Family

For Corky  11/9/89 ~ 2/4/05

One Year To The Day

Indiana Jones Padilla April 17, 1999 – March 23, 2006
There are things in our minds that we will never forget…

Like the day we brought home that 8 week old little kitten, solid ash gray with the most adorable little face, and no idea what we had gotten ourselves into.
Like the sound of licking at the water bowl where he spent perched for so many hours (thanks to the renal failure) and the little drip of water hanging from his chin…
Like the way he pinned his brother down for nearly the last 7 years to ensure that Java’s ears and smelly butt were clean to a level that Indy believed was good enough.
The way he loved to crawl all the way up his dad’s chest and put his paws right on his cheeks, let Mom cradle him like a baby upside down, and how he loved his “walks” around the house and the distinct high view advantage point over Java.
How Indy taught us everything there is to know about kitties…

*You can’t take them home from the pet store in a little cardboard box
*Keeping the bedroom door shut at night will only cause them to incessantly meow until you can no longer imagine the concept of a peaceful nights sleep
*That warm water poured all over the top of a cat encourages them to make a noise like a fire truck
*There’s no other way to get through college, papers, exams and all than with a little gray kitty tucked in your lap and pawing at your sweatshirt strings
*If you put your smelly shoes, a piece of paper or a box on the floor, you will not be able to remove the fat cat from sitting on it, he rightly believes you relinquished it and you can go find something else to amuse yourself other than poking at him to remove him
*Don’t think for a second that the shower is your own, once that water stops, they get in to capture every last drop of fresh dripping water from the faucet
*Never, ever leave Fresh, Piping Hot Chocolate Chip Cookies on the counter to cool...even if only for a second
*There is something VERY exciting about the sound of the can opener, even if it’s only Green Beans and not Tuna
*If you can’t find the cat, look UP (we had no idea he could clear the top of the fridge!)
*There is no other animal more proud, more tough and more willing to love you for who you are and who you become
And so many, many more….
Indy was our first “little guy.” Lovey, we called him, though anyone who met Indy knew, sure….he was Lovey to us, but he made every other stranger/neighbor/friend work, and work hard for his love.
All of us that knew Indy were touched, because he truly did have the CUTEST little face, he was the most sensitive yet regal cat, he took care of the rest of us during tough times but held his head high when he was hurt, he was a tough kitty.
Some of the nicknames he was given over the years by those that helped Zack and I grow, those who watched Indy while we had 1 eviction (who knew they didn’t allow cats at the apartment), travels up North to see family, College Graduation, a Wedding, 3 moves (including one across the state), and most importantly who helped Zack and I during the last year as Indy’s disease slowly progressed, are:
Indy Kitty, Indiana Jones Padilla, Carpet Sausage, Lovey, LuvBug, Belly (during one bad shaving for a biopsy), Indy 5000, Indiana and Fella.
Over the course of the last year, Indy, we were told on many occasions that he only had a few “weeks” to live…But he had the most courage, dignity and grace and he – being the tough guy he was – lived it to the fullest and took advantage of the fact that we spoiled him rotten. In his last few days and moments, as much as it broke our hearts we knew we had to show him all of that courage, dignity and grace… He was the toughest guy until the moment his heart stopped beating.
Every time we left the house we said “Goodbye Boys have fun storming the castle” and as we helped Indy to heaven yesterday we said the same thing…I have no doubt HE will STORM the castle – especially if they have fresh chicken, Ahi tuna or Rib Eye up there.
“Angel carry me….Oh so far away…..may my body never touch the ground…..and if I promise you, that I’ll be back some day…..will you set me free so I can fly away….” -Sugarland
We made him promise he’ll meet us there….but until then there will always be a hole in our hearts for our first little guy, our little boy…our little Indy Kitty. ~Zack & Michaela (Rio, Java & Angel Indy)