The Loss of a Monster

August 27, 2015

Salem ~2006

Yesterday, as Lochi would say it, we became "monster poor".  We have one less of our large, clumsy, cuddly, lovey monsters.


He, with the big eyes, and the happy smile.  Just seeing you is enough for him to come up to you with a big smile and and waggy tail.  And then when you call out his name he gets elated and can't contain his joy - he twirls around and around in his happiness.  As soon as you begin to pet him, he drops to the floor and lies on his side, exposing his belly, for a nice belly scratch. 

Sauvie Island ~2009

He, the large, cuddly, happy monster, like "Sulley" of the movie Monsters Inc.  With the wet whiskers, wet nose, wet eyes (the dog had allergies!).  He who was oh, so tough - growling at any male who came near his family, and occasionally nipping at a few (the poor furnace repairman!), and sleeping in the hallway guarding the bedroom doors of mom and sister (Katie) when dad was out of town, which is saying a lot for one who didn't much care to be indoors - he enjoyed sleeping outside, in his very own handmade dog-house that dad made for him, which stands next to the house that belongs to his sister (Shadow).

~2006

He, who was so tough but was extremely afraid of fireworks that every year in July a prescription was filled for Xanax for our tough guy, so that he wouldn't go insane from the anxiety of it all!

He, who had to be coaxed to eat, while the sister (Shadow) and cousin (Willow) just inhaled their food in 2 minutes flat, and would be eyeing his food.  He who had to be coaxed because he was so happy to see you, he would rather spend time with you, being petted by you, than eat; even though he knew that if he didn't eat right away, the other two would consume his food.

Fanno Creek Trail ~2012

He who would sometimes decide that he has had enough of walking and just flops down and refuses to budge, until he is good and ready to amble on again.  The silly goose!

Home, July 2015

He, who had a big fat lump on one side that made him perpetually lop sided, adding to his cuteness.  He, who we discovered while trying to drain this big fat lump at 7 years old, had a cancer in the chest that was the size of your hands cupped together!  He who had a 30% chance of recovering from the surgery to remove that cancer along with the two ribs that it was attached to, fully recovered and lived another 6 years as a happy monster, making his sister Shadow and cousin Willow happy, and also his human family - his mom, dad and his other sister (Katie).  

Sauvie Island ~2009

He, who his mom called "my son".  Example - Did you know what my son did today...?  etc.

Salem ~2006

He, who was a "found dog".  Found scared, lost, cowering in the neighborhood about a decade ago.  Ammi packed a lunch for Batu to take to work every day.  Batu secretly gave this lunch to this poor, lost dog cowering in a corner every day.  And unbeknownst to Batu, Thaththo secretly fed the dog poor lost dog at night.  After a week of this, they 'fessed up to what they were doing, and just took the dog in.  Named him Chico, after our childhood dog from the early 60's.

Hiking ~2009

Off to Idaho
~2013

He who went on month long vacations to Idaho with Auntie.  He who always threw up in the car, both coming and going, because he was the kind who got motion sick.  He who stopped eating for a week the first time he went on vacation to Idaho with dad because he was missing the rest of his family. 

Guarding the home front - Idaho ~2009

Minto Brown
~2008

He who's cancer came back, came back suddenly, strongly, with a vengeance, his poor lungs were filled with it, his breathing coming in gasps. He who was fine last week but was so far gone yesterday that he poo'ed himself.  I cleaned up with some water and paper towels.  He who laid under his favorite bamboo bush yesterday and smiled weakly at me while I stroked his back and face and head and told him over and over again what a good dog he is.  He who took tiny sips of water from a turkey baster yesterday, most of it flowing out of his mouth, too tired to lick it up.  He who's paws were so limp and lifeless already, yesterday.  He, who's paw now had two pirith nool tied around it, one that Batu took off his own wrist, and one that Rattana took off hers.  Yesterday.

Achchiamma brushing ~2008

He who was part of the threesome of Willow, Chico, Shadow.  Now they are a twosome.  Sigh!


13 years is a long life for a big dog like him.  But it was never long enough for us.  We are thankful for what we had, especially the last 6-7 years after the surgery at which he was almost sure to have died.  That was a welcome bonus.


Thunuruvan Saranai my pup-dog.  As I always told you, a thousand times and more, You are such a good dog, my Chico pup.

Minto Brown Park ~2008