The Little Pack

In the days long before LM and the rest of the little pack, when we just had IO and Jack and time was less of a commodity, I would spend hours just going for long, long walks with the dogs. I would take them places where they did not need to be leashed and could just be dogs. My code phrase to them was: “Far enough.” And they would either wait up or return. I so want to say this to IO now for it feels she has strayed impossibly far.  I have always loved this picture of IO, but it speaks to me especially now. I like to think that this is really how it is, that she is somewhere simply waiting for me to catch up.

Its been nearly 6 months and I still miss IO so much. I am often still moved to tears when I think of her and she visits my dreams frequently. No doubt that I will miss her for the rest of my life. This picture was taken during the last days of her life and shows how she never lost her happy spirit.

I woke up this morning with the pain of losing Dixie still raw, said goodbye to Baby Titten (who is going to live with my parents), and prepared myself for a day of sadness and tears. Instead I received an unexpected laugh. Last night we gave Cheyenne her first rawhide in almost 2 years. Dixie was not allowed to have them any longer because we needed to adhere to her diet so strictly to slow the growth of her stones as much as possible. Cheyenne was so happy and proud of that bone. She carried it all over the house, looking for a safe place to keep it. We assured her no one wanted her bone, certainly the cats were not interested and Jackson has never chewed on a rawhide even once in his 9 years of life so she was safe there. Or so we thought. This morning, Jackson stole Cheyenne’s rawhide and would not give it back. And he has been chewing it all morning. It is so bizarre, I have no idea how to react, other than to die laughing. So while there has been a lot of change lately, and certainly there is more to come as they figure out their new dynamic, I am reassured in one constant: where Cheyenne is concerned, laughter is never far away. Although our little pack has become a mini pack, these guys continue to bring such joy to our lives, even during times of sadness.

IO, 1998-2010

It was the pleasure of my life and I cherished every time, and my whole world–it begins and ends with you…(Highway 20 Ride, Zac Brown Band)

… are my favorite. We sleep in, well, actually, I should clarify. We attempt to sleep in. Like clockwork, Cheyenne and Dixie are ready to roll around 7, sometimes 7:30. We argue over whose turn it is to deal with them, take them out and try to keep sleeping. However. They have other ideas. Before we know it, we are grudgingly getting out of bed, making coffee and trying to wake up. Soon we are drinking coffee, chatting, surfing, and hanging out with the whole pack. Cheyenne and Dixie are in and out, in and out. Dixie is soon woofing for food. Jackson is bringing me a toy. But it is a nice reprieve from the week.