Saying Goodbye to Shaak Ti

Shaak Ti left us a few weeks ago. She was 16 years old and had been a part of our lives for 15 years. So much a part of our lives that the gaping hole her passing has left behind is impossible to escape. She's no longer watching us upside down from her dog bed or underfoot, demanding pets. No longer greeting us with enthusiastic "woo woo woos" when we come home. It's been a hard couple of weeks and life without her is too quiet.

She brought us 15 years of joy, love, and silly Shaak Ti antics. And though we might be incredibly sad now we won't let our sadness overshadow all the years of magic she brought. We will always have dogs here at the house and we will always love those dogs with all our hearts. But Shaak Ti was so, so special and she will be missed as fiercely and unconditionally as she loved us. 

There is so much more to say, so many happy memories, but this is all we can muster right now. Hug your pups, tell them you love them. Even if you are lucky enough to get 15 years with them, they still leave too soon. 

Shaak Ti Has Left Us

We had to say goodbye to Shaak Ti the other day. It was a heart wrenching process. Her little body simply couldn't take it anymore and she was telling us it was time. She left this world in her favorite bed, covered with her favorite blanket, laying her head on my leg and surround by the two people she loved so fiercely. 

Shadowfax is trying to fill the void, but it's such a monumental task. She is going to need to get acclimated to getting all of our attention.

We'll post a more comprehensive ode to Shaak Ti, this magical little beast who was so much a part of our lives. Right now everything is still too painful, and we are processing our grief.

Cedar Waxwings

We have had some interesting bird sightings around the homestead this Spring. There had been some cedar waxwings over the past weeks around the neighborhood. We'd watched them picking berries off various shrubs and trees on our afternoon dog walks.

Over the course of a few hours one morning though we got to see them up-close in large numbers. Cedar waxwings are a very striking bird with a dark eye mask and bright yellow tail feather tips.

They weren't interested in the thistle seed or black oil sunflowers at the feeders. There were only interested in the bird bath -  drinking, splashing, and making a ruckus. 

For a few hours in the morning they rushed in, drank and splashed, and flew away. Only to return minutes later. It was quite a show and we refilled the bird bath several times.

Shadowfax and Shaak Ti Send Greetings

 No posts since Christmas? Yoinks! Things have gotten away from us a bit. 

Hopefully some cute pictures of the dynamic duo will be the balm that soothes the ache of us briefly ghosting you. 

We're sorry. 

 We'll try to do better. 

Spring is here and things are warming up. We'll transition from snuggling in front of the fireplace to basking in the sunshine.

Happy Christmas to All

 Happy and/or Merry Christmas to all.

We will try to resume regular postings as soon as we sleep off the eggnog and Christmas cookies.

Shaak Ti Gets Comfortable

Shaak Ti. This silly bundle of dog has been part of our lives for so long we sometimes take her antics for granted. 

Laying in the grass on a sunny day is totally expected, normal for a dog.  

Getting in a neck stretch to make sure all those neck nooks get nice and sunny, still within the realm of normal. 

Laying in the gravel path though, well that's normal for Shaak Ti. She regularly gets covered in all manner of fluff and relish. She's not lacking for other comfortable places to lay down, there are half a dozen dogs beds of all shapes and sizes throughout the back yard, she just prefers the gravel path.

Spring Garden Pictures

It's been a typical Spring here at the homestead, jam packed with activity. So many seedlings to plant and the seeming never ending garden fun. 

The path past the greenhouse is maturing perfectly and the hanging baskets have just started to produce their first blooms.

The lupine have begun lupinating.

The first of the clematis have started clematisizing.

We'll try to post more, we promise. There will be many more flowers and garden things to post and we'll do our best to not let garden tasks or work get in the way.

Shaak Ti Does Hot Yoga

This is Shaak Ti performing the difficult "Warming My Junk By the Fire" pose. This is an advanced pose, not for beginners.  

 Shadowfax looks on in admiration.