Chilly Fall Mornings

We woke up to a chilly Fall morning of just 17 degrees. We scurried through our morning walk, took care of business, and got a nice breakfast in our tummies. The dogs then set about to the serious business of napping by the fireplace or covered with blankies.

17 degrees isn't unheard of this time of year but it still pretty chilly for us. The good news is that the days are sunny and afternoons get back up into the 40's. The past few days have been glorious sunny afternoons, with breezes blowing the colorful leaves off the trees.

The key is to rotate so one end doesn't get overdone.

Sleepy Shadowfax

You know when you've had one of those long weeks and you can barely keep your eyes open. It's a Friday evening and it's been a just a non-stop workweek of walks, playing in the yard, budget meetings, and chasing squirrels.

It's hard work being a deaf dog around here, there's always work to be done.

Why We Yoga Elsewhere

Alycia has been a yoga practitioner for some time. She generally goes to the local YMCA to take a class. It would be simple to just do a few yoga poses at home when she has 15 or 20 minutes to spare, but there's a problem.

The problem is Shadowfax. The second that yoga mat is unrolled, she immediately goes and lays or sits on it. Ah Shadowfax, silly puppy.

A New Basketball for Shadowfax

Through trial and error we've discovered that Shadowfax's favorite item to play fetch n' catch with is a deflated basketball. She loves the challenge of chomping (or trying to chomp) something so large and enjoys running it over as she scampers after it. The good news is that these are pretty easy to come by and usually very cheap, often free.

Any basketball that's been sitting in a garage or yard for a few years and won't stay inflated is just fine with Shadowfax. Alycia and I recently visited her Uncle Mike who lives here in town. He mentioned that he had a few old basketballs and had heard that our dog enjoys them.

This particular ball is old enough that the panels had started to peel away at the edges. Even better! Now it's a chew toy too. Thanks Uncle Mike!

A Warm Fall Afternoon

It's been lovely Fall weather here in Boise, Idaho. Warm days in the 70's transition quickly to cool nights. These days are perfect for lounging on the back patio, soaking up the afternoon sun...and watching for those pesky squirrels.

Shadowfax finds it easier to spot squirrels when she has a better vantage point. Alycia's lap fit the bill perfectly.

Shadowfax Plays Hide-And-Seek

We were playing Hide-and-Seek the other day when Shadowfax tried to hide in Tito's old crate. I counted to 10 and found her pretty quickly. She gets some credit for trying a new and innovative hiding spot, but she gets low marks being found so easily.

This crate had been in the same place for months, Shadowfax has never given it more than a second glance. All of a sudden, for several days in a row, she's decided that she needs to thoroughly explore it. Dogs are silly.

The Process of Moving On

It's been a couple of weeks since we've posted anything. Many thanks to everyone who sent a card, an e-mail, called, or posted some kind words on social media. It was really tough for Alycia but she greatly appreciated all the contact from friends and family, near and far.  Thank you.

In all honesty, it's been hard to sit at the computer and type ideas that are both appropriate and coherent for our first post of the post-Tito era. I've typed and deleted several hundred words at this point. Nothing seems quite like the right thing to say.

Tito's absence loomed large (and it still does), but Shaak Ti and Shadowfax are both still here. They're here and they seem to be completely oblivious. I've been calling them the "Oblivious Twins" off and on since Tito left us. And they truly are seemingly oblivious to the fact that there's one less deaf dog in the house. Perhaps they're doing it on purpose.

Even though things change there are still dog walks to take, meals to prepare, and jobs to go to (for Alycia anyways). In the meantime, we'll post a cute picture of Shadowfax and see if this can help us get kick-started back into some regular blog posts.

Saying Goodbye

Tito the Wonder Puppy left us today. His angry little body just couldn't function any more after 18 years in our world.

We are incredibly sad, but also relieved. We're relived that Tito is no longer in pain. We're grateful that he's free from the fear and confusion that seemed to grip him when he couldn't figure out why he was unable to see as well or move like he used to. We're comforted that he's no longer constrained by the frustrations of a declining mind and an old and aching body. Tito can once again be the Tito of days gone by, young and spry and devious and teacherous. This is the Tito that will live forever in our hearts.

This was Tito and Alycia's bedtime routine for the last year or so. After all the pups had gone out for evening potty time, and eaten their evening cookie, she would give Tito one last chance to go out to do some business. Tito rarely went outside though. Mostly the two of them would just stand there together, looking out into the darkness. Moths would flutter by, the sounds of night would gently drift in, and the two of them would stand there, side by side, looking out into the darkness.

Tonight we will hug Shaak Ti and Shadowfax extra tight and tell them we love them. We'll make sure that they are given lots of love and attention and pets so that everyone can grieve in their own way. Godspeed Tito. May you find the solace and peace that eluded you in life.