One thousand and ninety five. Or 3 years to the day. Thatās how long itās been since I said my final goodbye to my boy Kitano. These days are always tough for me still and I suppose they always will be. I found myself tearing up randomly throughout the day at work which is not only embarrassing if and when a few customers caught the water works, but also itās frustrating as I feel like I have no control over it.
I guess I should be somewhat grateful that these types of days are not as common as they used to be but it sure doesnāt help when in the moment.
I sure do miss my boy. I miss my entire pack more than words on a blog could possibly convey, but todayā¦Iād like to tell you a bit about Kitano specifically in honor of his departure 3 years back.
He was unexpected. I was living with my now ex wife out in Vegas, and we already had 2 monsters at home in Bindi (Husky) & Bandit (Malamute). We were fucking about at a local mall when we wandered into the pet shop. We always wound up in pet shops usually to snag a treat for the pups at home and to just play with the beautiful souls stuck there.
We saw bunch of little fluff balls in a pen and noticed one was hiding from the rest. They were Malamute/Timberwolf hybrids and boy were they absolutely adorable. The one guy looked a bit tired and we asked about him. We were told he was ill and was being āsent backā. You can draw conclusions as to what that meant exactly and youād most likely be correct.
They said he had a heart murmur (he didnāt) and that they could not sell him to us. After discussing with my ex, we decided we would try as hard as we could to secure him, hopefully help him recover, and if notā¦give him the best life for the limited time we had with him.
After much negotiating and signing a ton of forms absolving the shop from any liability upon the untimely passing of our guy, we brought him home where he stayed for just several days before being put into the emergency vet care of Durango Animal Hospital. There he stayed for over a month why they tried to figure out why he wasnāt eating, had no strength, and was losing weight. They were tough days as we were preparing to lose him. But that was not his storyā¦
We solved the riddleā¦wellā¦I kinda did. I remember about 3 weeks in I was googling and printing a few things for the doctors. One was about a strange and rare parasite usually found in the mid west and with some different treatments, he made a full recovery in about a week after starting whatever new meds they started him on to combat his ailment.
Upon coming home, he was an instant part of our family and pack. This bag bad Wolf had the heart of a gentle giant and while he looked intimidating to the unfamiliar, he was a completely submissive dog. Fineā¦he was a giant wuss but he was my giant wuss.
For the next 5 years he was amazing and accepting as we welcomed our 4th member of our pack Maya into the clan. They bonded instantly and seeing the pack dynamic was amazing. Truly magical. But then my world turned upside down again at 5 am one morning as he woke us frantically while suffering a massive stroke. Bucking and flailing while his eyes dartedā¦he and us were in a panic. Once againā¦the seriously question of him being here tomorrow was in jeopardy.
Several Sleepless nights. Headaches. Disorder. Short tempers. Anger and a lot of tears. Thatās what I remember while the doctors told us he may never walk again. But several days laterā¦he took some steps. Wobbly ones with a head tilt that would make the Leaning Tower jealous.
Long story short regarding thatā¦he made a full recovery. If you fast forward 6 months after, you would have never known he suffered a stroke. The boy had heart and a will to live and fought the odds off once again.
For the following 8 years, he was my heart. We shared wonderful adventures and created a lifetime of memories. His last few months were marred with a handful of seizures and cancer. At 13 1/2 years old in 2018, I was losing my second pack member as I had to make the hardest decision once more. His brother Bandit had passed in 2015 leaving behind just his 2 sisters Bindi & Maya. Brutalā¦
I miss how he would shower me in kisses. Or when he would follow me from room to room as I showered and got ready each and every day. Or how he would clumsily start his zoomies and run like a mad man throughout our pad often times falling and busting his ass along the way. How playful he was.
How he always seemed to be smiling when not in sleep mode. I miss him scrapping with his brother and sisters. I miss our walks and talks. How he would just stare into me when I spoke to him. Or how he would start his howling towards the moon while standing on the couch as I left for workā¦often riling up the others to participate in the daily howlfest which could be heard from the streets.
His piggy nose, his forever wagging tail, and his āland swimmingā when he got overly excited. I miss feeling the pure love that eminated from him. I miss him bed hogging at night followed by joining me at work. I miss being that close to perfection daily.
So Iām going to pop my snot bubbles, turn off the waterworks and raise a virtual glass to my boy Kitano. May we all find something in our lives that ignites something inside the way Tano did for me. I love you boy, and I am forever grateful of the smiles you still consistently provide me.
See you in my dreams buddy. š¾šš¾
A puffy eyed Blewitt
Your story was sad but beautiful at the same time. It's really hard to lose a friend, I have lost my friends too, years before, and I still miss them, but at least we can think in all those moment we spent with them, and how happy we were together.
The loss never goes away or gets easier. I think time just allows us to continue on. But yeahā¦I miss them each and every day. Sorry for your losses as well.
Thanks for taking the time to read my drivel. Means the world. ā¤ļø
Hello @blewitt. Wow, that was a lovely pack they made. Time flies by so quickly. Looks like the feeling was mutual as the happiness shows. Lovely in-depth photo. You were so lucky to have Kitano in your life. You documented his life very well. Nothing to be ashamed about for heartfelt emotions for a loved one. You added depth to his life the moment you chose him.
Thanks for sharing his story. Have a good rest of your week.
Thank you so much. Kitano was my heart. He just eminated pure love.
When in the moment and things are good and normal, it seems like itāll be that way forever. Time is a funny thing.
Yes, it does. It's called eternal hope. And I wish it could be so, but life is enthralled in twists and turns at each junction.
The good news is that there is always something else waiting for us to discover. It's the journey that makes the remembrance so sweet!
Take care, and have a good week ahead.
Wise words my friend.
Beautiful story!
Thx brother. I love talking about my pups as they have been tremendously instrumental in lots of good in my life.
he is such a sweetheart š„
Sure was! Such a beautiful soul he had. I miss him tremendously.
in love with everyonešš congratulations
@blewitt ā¤ļø
What a beautiful pup. I lost my German Shepherd 10 years ago and it still hurts.
Iām sorry about your pup. Itās brutal and I fear the day it happens in my household once again.
Thank you though regarding Maya. Iām very blessed to have her right now.
This is a great tribute!
You did a great job of taking care of Tano. I am sure he had a great dog's life!
Woof!!!
Thanks brother. Yeah, he along with the rest of the pack had fantastic lives full of adventure and love. What more can we ask for, right?
Unquestionably woof!!!
What an absolutely fantastic tribute to an absolutely awesome dog. Dude, your story made me a little misty eyed, too. His will to live and your determination to give him the best life possible are truly what define life. Of course you're going to tear up; he was a family member, and that won't ever change. It means your heart is huge.
I'm going to lift a glass in his honour for you tonight, too.
To Tano!
Thx my friend. Yeah, they are family and to be honestā¦so much more. My dogs definitely are one of the most important aspects of my life as I feel they helped change my lifeās trajectory. They will be in my heart and soul forever.
I'm sure Kitano had a happy life thanks to you. Thanks for sharing.
I know so too. Thx man. I miss how goofy and playful he was. Such a breath of fresh air that I find myself missing these days.