A Tribute to Pumpkin!
It seems fitting to be posting this tribute to her life on Memorial Day, though I never thought it would happen so quickly after Taquitos.
I've heard a lot of similar stories in the last few days - that pets pass quickly in succession, or right after their kahu - though I'm not sure that really eases the heartache.
Pretty much exactly 24 hours after Taquito was lifted into Spirit, Pumps had a series of grand mal seizures, then passed from a cardiac event shortly after getting her to the ER. I can't adequately express the shock I'm still in, much less be able to process it.
But I do want to honor Pumpkin's story!
Her paperwork at the @westlashelter listed the Intake Type as "POS OWNER." I guess, enough said.
But Pumps was actually returned to the shelter after being adopted. TWICE!
It turned out that her teeth were completely rotten and her jawbone was necrotizing, so she was in a lot of pain which caused her to snip at anyone who touched her face. People either didn't figure it out, or couldn't afford the surgery.
Roman thus decided to "foster" her (um... yeah, right. 😂) and have all of her rotten teeth pulled so her bones could heal up. It took a few weeks on pain meds, but the problem was solved; no more biting! (but it was now more difficult to direct her licks)
Pumps was then as happy as could be. So happy that everyone could see it. She walked with a sort of happy-go-lucky trot that literally stopped traffic. I have never in my life had a dog that was as constantly stopped to be told how cute she was. Cars would literally slow down or stop for the drivers to yell "YOUR DOG IS SOOOO CUTE!"
There was just something about Pumkin. 💖
In 2020, @j_h_a_i_m instituted an Employee of the Month program at Nomad... an honor apparently invented for her, and one which has since been retired after her exclusive & consecutive wins. Similarly, for two years in a row, Pumpkin was 'randomly' selected by @chewy to receive a free artist's portrait in the mail.
People really loved this dog. She just made you feel happy.
(Continued in Comments)
Taquito!!!
I first spied this little man on our security camera… Roman adopted him while I was in Vietnam on a work trip, and I kept getting an ‘sound alerts’ on the app, so I logged in to find this beautiful little boy barking at the door.
Taquito was rescued from an abusive household by a cop here in Miami. He never really walked correctly since we got him… more of a tip-toe / skip-step due to his spinal injuries and having cerebral palsy.
So, he would never do an obstacle course, but Taquito did love to sing! We first heard him howling to Kesha’s Timber, then he expanded his repertoire to include Train’s Drop of Jupiter and James Brown’s I Feel Good. Just those 3 songs – nothing else.
Unfortunately as he aged, he started going deaf so couldn’t hear when his favorite songs came on the radio anymore. The blessing was that he could now sleep peacefully through the wicked FL thunderstorms.
In addition to the abuse, cerebral palsy, losing his right eye to an unknown infection and having cataract surgery on his left, Taquito also developed pituitary Cushing’s disease last year, due to a likely cancerous tumor on the gland. With this diagnosis, we knew his days were numbered. Luckily, and a big thanks for all of his many specialists, we had an arsenal of meds which kept him happy and stable for a good 7 months. He remained feisty as ever, never hesitating to let us know when it was time to attend to his needs or give him another treat.
At some point early this month he began quickly losing weight. Along with the loss of muscle mass also went his appetite. We continued to keep him hydrated and gave as much nourishment as we could through a syringe, but he could clearly no longer find comfort inside that little body of his.
It’s always heart-wrenching to decide when to euthanize a pet, but over the last few years of rescuing seniors with major medical issues, I’ve come to some kind of peace with having that responsibility.
Mr Taquito exited the Earthly plane on Friday June 9th around 4pm. My heart aches from the loss, but I’m truly grateful for all the smiles and joy this little pup brought into our lives.
Rest in Peace Little Man! 🙏🏻🤍🕊️
A TRIBUTE TO HAILEY!
It's with a very heavy heart that we had to say Goodbye to our beautiful Ms. Hailey last week. 💔
Hailey was truly a special little being. I know everyone says that about their dog, but she was the sweetest, most gentle and actively loving pup we’ve ever had.
Sadly, she was also one of the most abused.
Hailey had been a breeding dog at a puppy mill in Missouri for the first ~7 years of her life.
She was kept outdoors, in a metal cage with a metal floor, and continually pregnant.
After so many pregnancies & deliveries, her hips dislocated and she ended up with multiple massive mammary tumors which rendered her of ‘no value’ to the mill.
From her life there, she was terrified of loud sounds, and frantic when being picked up.
A BIG thanks to @truefaithfulpetrescuemission for rescuing her, and bringing her into our lives. 🙏🏼
For the first 6 months with us, she was pretty much out of body and not ‘home.’ Her eyes would look vacantly through you, and she just didn't want to participate.
Slowly but surely though, she started enjoying life again!
She became completely delighted by soft beds and blankets! She couldn’t get enough of wiggling around on her back after waking up to feel all the good feels of physicality.
She was also quickly at peace when lying in the warm sun and really loved being outdoors, cage free, basking in nature.
My God, could that dog sleep!😂
She would put herself to bed earlier than anybody else, and usually did so as if she came home drunk; she never quite got all the way in bed...
Sometimes ½ of her body made it.
Sometimes, just her front paws and her nose.
#SleepingGoals 😂 (pix included on Stories)
Anyway, she provided me with lots of smiles, and totally sneaked into my heart.
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Today is Earth Day -
(But every day should be)
In the midst of wars, conflicts, and other ongoing acts of unnecessary human egoic domination, the words of Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Turtle (he is Natively of the Wolf) Clan of the Onondaga Nation, one of the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee, from his address to the United Nations in 1977 as a leader of the Indigenous Delegation, reminds me of who else is continually missing from most daily considerations in life:
"I do not see a delegation for the Four Footed. I see no seat for the Eagles. We forget and we consider ourselves superior. But we are, after all, a mere part of Creation. And we must consider to understand where we are. And we stand somewhere between the mountain and the Ant. Somewhere and only there as part and parcel of the Creation."
– Oren Lyons
Pic 1 - Nature's Beauty 😍
Pic 2 - 'Tree Of Peace' by Oren Lyons
Pic 3 - 1977 Indigenous Delegation to the U.N.
When not distracted by the goings-on of my normal human life, I'm in awe of Nature's beauty. This whole thing is truly astonishing.
May I revel in remembering that I'm somewhere between a Mountain and and Ant.
With Gratitude and Respect 🙏🏻🌎🌍🌏
R.I.P. Miss Roxi 🕊️
Roxi came into our lives 20 years ago, when she was just 1 yr old. We were only supposed to watch her for a weekend, but that turned into a month, then into vet bills & spaying, and then into 'fur-ever,' as they say.
It was a rough start! 🤣
It wasn't immediately clear, but we came to understand that she was untrusting of men. That must have been tough for her - two guys and a 55 lb male bulldog were her new roommates and care takers. 😫
I don't recall a moment, but at some point early on she accepted us as her companions for life. 😊
Roxi had her quirks (like spinning around 57 times before being able to poo) and other personality traits that made her 'her,' but for me Roxi's speciality was inconspicuously prying her way into your heart.
We literally grew up and grew old together.
The last year was tough and the last 2 months even tougher. At 21, she was on about 12 meds and needed subcutaneous 'IV' fluid infusions to help with her liver function. She was also blind and mostly deaf. But her nose still worked ok and she ate like a champ up until the last day.
The vets (we asked all of them, 100 X) all assured us that she wasn't in pain.
She required that we provide a lot of care, often around the clock, but what she provided - crystal-clearly at the end - was a nod to what's truly important in life for me.
Her parting teaching was that my life's riches are found in my ability to attend to and care for others. Other animals. Other humans. Mother Earth. It's simply about service.
Time will tell if I can live into that Wisdom, but I hope to do her proud. 🙏🏼
I will forever be grateful for being one of her humans and it's truly one of the honors of my life to have been able to take care of this precious girl until the end of hers.
Roxi had seven brothers and sisters over the years; outlived three and is survived by four (who are much younger, by the way).
So here is my mostly chronological tribute to Miss Roxi Rutland-Young... Pictures and videos that won't mean much to most, but mean to world to me.
(...to be continued on Stories)
I miss her dearly 💔
MS. NIKKI!!! 👑
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A Tribute to your life!
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I really loved you! A lot ❤️
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Your Spirit was inspiring - what a scrappy little fighter you were! To have survived being abandoned on the mean streets of Miami with bad vision at age ~14... wow! 🙇🏻 💪🏼
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I don't know the details of your life before we met, but I know it wasn't easy. I'm sorry for that - you certainly didn't deserve it.
I just hope that your last 4 years with us provided the Grace and ease of relaxation and safety.
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While you never lost your 'fight' and spirit of adventure, it was my pleasure to see it channeled into play. 😊 (i.e.- chasing cats, squirrels and the FL iguanas 🦎)
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I miss you dearly, and just wanted to say I'm so grateful for all that you taught me and for breaking my heart in a most beautiful way. 💔
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...and that it was my honor to care for you in your last years. You will be deeply missed but never forgotten. 🙏🏼
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For anyone viewing this post, the first shot is Nikki's last day here on Earth, enjoying the warm California sunshine. 😊
The second shot is later that night, Wednesday January 5th, on her deathbed at the ripe old age of 18+, surrounded by Gods, Guides, Gems and the eternal scent of Sage.
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When she passed, she was blind, deaf and had dementia, but her nose was still on point! She had no trouble finding her food, or where she wanted to pee and poo (not always where I wanted her to! Lol). The scents of Roman, me and her brother & sisters also gave her the recognition and comfort needed to relax and sleep peacefully at naptime and nighttime🕊️
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There are so many more images I want to memorialize her with - more than Insta will allow - so the tribute will continue in Stories.
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A BIG shout-out to @truefaithfulpetrescuemission for saving Nikki's life, and deeply enriching mine. Thank you! 🙏🏼
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#adoptdontshop #shiva #kali #babaji #ganesha #odin
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Safe Travels my Dear 🙏🏼
