Week March 25th rolled on by and its been a full year since I lost my TJ to cancer.
Many things have changed since TJ last saw me. Shilo has cancer and is a tri-pawd herself. Good news is that she is generally healthy despite the cancer. Yeager is showing his age, Kimber has gotten very gray in the face. TJ will definitely notice that Sugar Bear is not here.. I lost her about 6 months ago. I’m sure TJ would love Andrea… the newest addition to my home. Andrea is generous with the treats, but she is not as big on dogs as I am… but he would still like her.
I miss yelling “TJ McBIPPER!” and making him bark.. I miss flapping his ears and I badly miss how he smelled. He had the best dog smell.. and the softest coat. What I wouldn’t give to pet him just one more time… to look into those droopy brown eyes and let TJ lick my face.
Time marches on… but I am happy that even though one year has passed, I can still vividly remember so much about my TJ. Taz and Pepper are also gone a year…. they went to the bridge a few weeks before TJ. I’m sure Taz, Pepper, SugarBear and my TJ are all haveing a good time, happy and healthy, playing in the tall grass waiting for me to call out to them one last time.. to bring them back to my side forever.
I miss you TJ.
Paul, this is such a heartfelt and genuine tribute to TJ. You know he’s at the Bridge saying, “Yeah, that’s MY Dad! He sure did good, huh? Yes indeedy…I smelled like a dog and he appreciated that about me!”
You’ve had a rough year Paul. Yet you’ve managed to focus on the positives in all this. I’m glad you have a “human” friend now to help pass out the treats! In time she will become “big on dogs”……it’ll just “happen”!
March and April last year was a tough time in the tripawd community. No one can understand the depth of devotion to our dogs that even becomes deeper as a result of this journey. And no one can understand the depth of grief when they transition…..we do. We understand.
I guess Taz and Pepper decided they needed to head to the Bridge first so they could help TJ get everything ready for Sugar Bear!
You, Shilo, Yaeger and Kimber all have some mighty fine Guardian Angels watching over you!
I’m glad to hear Miracle Dog Shilo is holding steady! She sure is showing everyone she definitely does NOT have a time frame stamped on her butt!!
TJ…TJ McChipper McBipper, you will NEVER be forgotten here…EVER!!! Your life not only mattered to your Dad, it mattered to is! You inspired us all! You are always here with us. Your tribute was stellar Mr. TJ!
Sending lots of love and even more treats for all!
Sally and My Eternal Light Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too! And Frankie the tripawd Coonhound!
I can’t believe it has been a year. Happy Angelversary TJ.
I am glad to hear Shilo is doing well. Over all sounds like a good update on everyone.
hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Thanks for the kind words… 2014 was not a good year. But things are looking better.
The Tripawds community really got me over a steep hill with TJ…. out of nowhere OS, amputation, and then his passing. But Shilo is much better off for it. I went in with knowledge and a lot less fear.
I still have the calender Tripawds made with TJ in it. Still on his month. Its been that way for 13 months I have no need to change it.
Thanks to all the Tripawd members for a great, if not extremely rough year.
Paul we can’t believe it’s been a year already. Wow. I hope you’ll take comfort in knowing that no matter how much time passes, TJ is never far from your side. I honestly believe that. You had such a spiritual connection with TJ that that kind of energy never disappears, it only grows larger with each new life lesson you experience thanks to having TJ as your instructor. One year or ten, those daily reminders of him will always be there to make you a better human and help others be better too.
You obviously have such a way with animals, they are all so lucky to have you for a Dad… and Andrea is lucky to have you too! Congrats!