Auld Lang Syne

The last 12 months or so have aged me in dog years.
Since the last post we've said goodbye to 3 more friends.
 

George and Gracies' only boy, Truman Chapotle, passed at the beginning of November. He was an awesome dog. 

Truman with little Willy a few years ago

 

a little angel

 

smiling in the sunshine with Zasu

 

Archie had his last trip to the vet early December. 

He was our most vigilant protector of the yard

 

He was brilliant, silly and a great friend to many. 

Rolling in cow poo on a walk with Miles

 

Helping Shirley get comfy when she was new and not feeling well

 

My girl Tuesday is no more.

In her favorite spot at sunset

 

Lung cancer took her mid-November and I wasn't ready.

A few years ago -Zasu, me, Tuesday and Monkey

 

Archie, Bean, Reggie and Tuesday: loved and missed

 

Within hours of Tuesday's passing a man showed up with a wounded stray. The little thing was horribly matted and there was a lot of blood. As usual I didn't think to document it until we were well underway. That matted fur on her back was solid and infested.
Wounds dressed and getting a haircut

 

 

 

 

 

 

Considered calling her Wednesday (it was a Wednesday) but her name became Agnes. Still sedated, matted hair removed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A high-pitched bark and high maintenance coat are not my favorite but that isn't her fault. She's a young, rowdy goofball, busy unlearning an array of bad habits

 

Aggie is now healed and spayed. She likes sleeping in hammocks, barking and kicking ass. Playing with Joy

 

It isn't easy to lose old friends, but such sweet new friends help. 

Wishing everyone a hopeful new year. May we all have some good to help with the bad. 

A better photo of newbie Rhubarb's short legs and stubby tail

2020 thus far

Apparently I post annually now, which means there is a lot to cover. 

The year did not begin easily. We said good-bye to our friend Gracie on January 2, 2020. With us since 2007, she was a great friend and big part of our lives. 

Gracie's last day, spent in the sunshine with Wombat at her side

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On February 14th we said goodbye to our Zasu. After more than 22 years together I may never grow accustomed to her absence. 

100s of photos to choose from, this one from a few years ago suits her

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two of Gracie's daughters

Bean 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and Blue (airborne)

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

...succumbed to their particular ailments soon after their Mom 

(Feb. 28 and March 25).

 

We had a few months before Ernie, who had been suffering from a neurological problem, had his final trip to the vet on July 11. 

Even when getting around was becoming difficult for him, he liked to be in the middle of the action

Tupo, Evo, Ernie Ruby and Rose

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An old favorite of Ernie, flanked by Archie and Otto

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many happy years with Ernie, Gracie, Bean, Blue and Zasu, too many to do them justice with a blog post. All brilliant, loving, vibrant dogs! The weight of their loss is crushing, but I'm glad to have known them and contributed to their lives. 

 

At the end of December we took in a puppy that was doing poorly. 

We named her Clementine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With Lenny (still one of her best pals), Zasu and Biscuit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clementine and gang in January

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spayed and thriving, Clementine and Lenny in August

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In February a stray had puppies in the bushes near our house

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sean kept her well fed and found homes for her pups. She took up residence under our Jeep until he took her to be spayed. Unfortunately she was diagnosed with an advanced case of heart worm and had to be euthanized. She was a nice dog, we were sad we couldn't do more. 

Since then another pair of dogs have made themselves at home under the Jeep; we call them Belle and Loverboy.  This time our intervention came before puppies. 

The pandemic has compounded the time and stress of taking dogs to the vet. We're hoping, more than ever, that someone doesn't poison them. 

One of Clementine's litter mates took to spending time with the sterilized callejeros, so at the end of September we had her spayed as well. 

Rhubarb (pre-naming) escorts Sean on a swim

 

 

 

 

 

 

She made it clear she'd rather be inside than outside of the yard by chewing a hole through the fence, into the area where we kept her after surgery.

She's wonderful- with big paws and a stubby tail (you'll have to take my word on the tail until i get a better picture)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A few pictures of Xmul for everyone who misses her:

with Pete

 

digging holes with her pals Reina and Willy

 

under the neem tree with Reina and Ramona

 

shots of some of the rest of the crew:

Evo chasing insect shadows

 

he and Rocky do this all day, come sun

 

or rain

 

sister Rosie is not interested in their game

 

Herbie, Rosie and Willy, all curly-tailed dogs

 

 

sisters Bindy and Biscuit

 

Nico, Jojo, Peaches (foreground)

Evo on bug watch, Clementine and Boomer (rear)

 

 

 

 

Far above the doggie hijinx, warbler chicks on their last day in the nest