My sister came up before we had to say bye to Chico and got some great photos of Chico.  She did a blog post that included these photos and I haven't been able to look at it until today.  It was so sweet and really touched my heart, thanks Sarah!

 

This is my sweet fellow, Chico.  He is not doing well and is at the vet's overnight trying to get better.  He was feeling a little under the weather Wednesday and started vomiting up his water and turning his nose up at his food.  When I woke up this morning I couldn't find him and I thought maybe he had gotten out of the fence again.  When I checked outside though I couldn't find anywhere that looked like he could have gotten out.  I called and called and looked in every room and finally found him curled up in the back of my closet under my clothes.  He wouldn't get up but he would at least look at me.  I scooped him up and took him to the vet.  The did an x-ray because he had chewed on some steel wool about a week ago.  The x-ray was negative, but his blood work was really bad.  His creatinine was 15 (supposed to be 1.5 or less) so he was in severe renal failure, the vet also said that his bladder had collapsed and was not making any urine.  I left him there for a few hours getting IV fluids then went back to check on him.  He was only a little less puny but he wagged his tail when Clay came in, however he still had not made any urine.  I am trying to be optimistic tonight, but I am a nurse and I understand what this probably means for my sweet Chico.

 

He has been my friend for the past 9 years.  He has sat with me when I cried, listened to all my stories, played with me, lifted my spirits when I was down, greeted me excitedly EVERY day when I get home, traveled all over with me and Clay and kept us entertained while on trips, he has kept Killer company and looked out for her, he has given me LOVE.  The special doggie kind that never asks for anything in return and covers you in sloppy kisses.

 

I am hoping for a miraculous recovery, but I am realistic and I am trying to prepare myself for the worst.  He is my little fella and my world just won't be quite the same without him.  I have done most of my true "growing up" with him by my side.  He never judged me, I always knew he loved me.

 

I can take solace in the fact that I think that he has enjoyed his life with me and Clay and Killer.  We have become his family.  He became our family.  From a cute little mutt at the Dublin Pound to the best potty trained dog on the planet he transformed.  

 

He loves to have his photo taken, although sometimes he will pretend that he is aloof and looks pretentiously off into the distance.

He loves a good road trip and boy has he been on a many!  St George Island, Huntsville, Chicago, Buffalo, Philadelphia, Franklin (our Honeymoon), Atlanta, back and forth to Marietta many times, back and forth from Statesboro many times, Brunswick, St. Simons, Dudley.

That boy LOVES to wear a coat, sweater, life jacket, etc...anything to help keep his delicate sensibilities warm.

 

He learned to love Clay, even though he is "not his real father."  They have a special relationship.  Chico rarely wants to play with me, he reserves his playtime and toys for when Clay gets home from work.

 

He is a nester, any time you turn around he has rearranged the pillows, the blankets, the pile of clean clothes or whatever in attempts to make a nest and to get under whatever cover he can.  He always sleeps under the covers down between my feet.  

 

Chico, you are my heart.  You have a big piece of me with you.  Know that I am thinking of you tonight and I am wishing you all the best in the world and I will do what is right for you when the time comes tomorrow.  You are a fantastic pup and I couldn't have had a better companion!  I want you to know that you touched everyone you met and made their lives better, even if only for a moment.  I wish I could give you a kiss on the forehead and rub your little white line between your eyes and tell you it will all be ok.  I love you pup, and you will always hold a special place in my heart! 

Helen Trip

Took Killer out for her first hike today. We went about 4 miles total, very slowly. Chico had to mark every tree, bush, flower, grass, leaf, rock, and piece of sand so that other animals would know he had been there. Killer kept up the pace until the last quarter mile that was all uphill, I had to pick her up for a couple of minutes then she was right back at it. It was pretty cool early this morning so I was glad I had worn a long sleeve top over my t-shirt.


I dropped my driver's license out of my pocket somewhere along the way and realized it when I was getting ready to head back so I spent the whole hike back with my eyes on the ground looking for it. Luckily I didn't miss the 2 deer in the field where the path opens up. Chico and Killer did not miss them either. Both were chomping at the bits, barking, and Killer was licking her chops. I also found my license in that field where I had stopped and crouched earlier to take some photos of the doggies.

Neither of them were very impressed with the river, I think they were both having flash-backs from their baths yesterday. They were not looking to sit and enjoy the view there.

Not much else exciting going on, I have been playing chauffeur to Clay since we couldn't stay on site with the dogs. I did complete my essay and updated my resume for my application to the new position at work so I haven't been totally useless.

Headed Home

Last coffee and hanging out this morning in the mountains. Headed back home now, always bittersweet to end a vacation. Especially one as restful as this has been.

Christmas Morning

Slept in, had some late late breakfast, killer is cuddled up with her new toy. Chico is hiding under the blanket keeping warm and I am enjoying my present, the latest and final Michael Crichton book.

New Toy

Clay got a new toy, and loves to torture the doggies with it now. Chico, watch out for incoming helicopter!

Epiphany

I realized while weighing my suitcase that I have lost the equivalent of 2 suitcases packed with enough stuff for 9 days (and I am not a light packer). CRAZY!! I got on the scale first to see what I weighed with all my clothes and shoes on - 175 then I got back on holding my suitcase - 211. I had been feeling a little bad lately because even after a lot of hard work I have a roll and flab under my arms and was feeling like I had made a lot of progress for nothing. However, after holding that very large and somewhat heavy suitcase and realizing that I have lost 2 of those from my own body suddenly all the work seemed more monumental and my journey thus far a lot more impressive. Yes, I still have plenty of room for improvement and 1/2 a suitcase to go but I am encouraged by my big pink monster of a checked bag! = )

Chico and Killer staging a protest. They hate being left behind!

Chico eventually gets so indignant that he won't even look at me.

Is that a Smile?

I get so tickled when Chico's lip gets stuck like this. He kept looking around at me and Clay like this for at least 5 minutes. He didn't even seem to understand that we were laughing at him. I am glad his face didn't get stuck like this!

Can You Dig It?

Got some figs growing on my little fig tree. Can't wait to have some of these wrapped in bacon and baked. Yummy! In hindsight, maybe I should have named this post diggin and figgin. = )

So HOT!! Finished at the gym this AM. Ran my fastest mile ever 9:50. Getting better little by little.

Here is Chico all happy and excited about the giant hole he dug into the orange clay in the backyard. I discussed with him that this is a no-no and then his happy face turned sheepish. Can't figure out what made him decide that he wanted to dig out this week. Chico has been with us for 7 years and has never been a digger.