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Life according to Tache

Journey to the Bridge

I know this is 5 weeks late but the first time I could come here.
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It is with great sadness that I wanted to let you all know that my beloved Tache dog crossed the Rainbow Bridge this morning (11/27) at 4:48 PST.

Tache was one of those once in a lifetime dogs. She has left very big paws to fill and her successor, when the time comes, will be fighting an uphill battle. But I am sure the next generation will win my heart in other ways unique to him or her.

You as my friends and family have witnessed the role Tache played in my life and most understand that was no ordinary dog/owner relationship. I am clearing out a place in my soul for Tache to live on and in so doing working on a small space in my heart for the next generation.

I gave her the best life I could, wasn't all that pretty sometimes but we were a team and as many have pointed out, she would not have had it any other way. We traveled across this country and to Canada, we were homeless together and she has been my rock and my support in far too many losses. And she has comforted me through too many surgeries. I have done my best for her, sometimes I know I came up short but she loved me nonetheless.

She was a part of the CASRA team. She became a part of the CSUS Criminal Justice Department for a short time. We traveled by train frequently in the later years, always a joy having her as company, better than any stranger sitting in the seat next to you who won't stop talking. Tache enjoyed kayaking with me and especially camping. She enjoyed car trips to g'pa and g'ma's house and a couple plane trips. And she enjoyed life right up to the end despite her blindness of the last year. This last year has not been easy but neither of us would have it any other way.

If any dog ever knew how to leave this world in style with dignity Tache did. She was surrounded by close friends and well cared for by a compassionate veterinary staff until the end. She will be cremated and her remains will be scattered in the right place, at the right time. I am priviledged to have been her person.

Thank you Tache.

One year .....

Tache is passed out from a wonderful day at the park so I will take liberty to update things.

One year ago yesterday my life's blood went blind suddenly due to SARDS. Looking back, I am surprised we made it this far. I will be forever indebt to Judy in Mass for finding blinddogs and giving me the link. I was so helpless in the beginning.

It has been a difficult journey to say the least. But with a lot of support
we have made it this far. Yes, Tache has slowed down and I am sure a lot of
it is the SARDS and the rest from teh 11 1/2 years of non-stop brittany motion she was. She well deserves a rest.

It isn't over by any means. We have challenges that have to be overcome that
used to be simple. Traveling is not as easy anymore and she still refuses to
stay in a hotel room by herself. I struggle paying our food bill every month
but I am learning new ways to save money on my end of the food deal. I find I
am eating a little better as well. Walks are a little slower and toys are no
more. She wants nothing to do with them ... they were always the highlight of
our lives. No more sleeping on the bed unless I "force" her for Saturday
morning loves, she gets off when she wants. But we still have each other.

Today I have a dog who sleeps a lot but also talks a lot. We have new sounds
to mean different things. I have not heard a full bark from her for a year
but there are moans and whines and mini woofs to tell me all sorts of things.
Lately it is an insistance on going bye bye. Riding in the truck is still her
favorite and I accomodate that as best I can .... especially now given the gas
prices!!! Yeah, life sure is different but I think we both just try to accept
it as it comes, slow down and just enjoy each other.

Tache's mom

Time Goes so quick

Hey all, Tache here, or as mom calls me Tachey. It has almost been a year since I suddenly went blind from SARDS. One heck of a year at that. I am getting used to it, so is mom but it sure hasn't been easy. SARDS causes a whole buncha other stuff too. I get my stitches out tomorrow for the surgery I had a week ago to remove a nasty tumor and a couple other things. They say they are benign but I don't quite understand that term, mom says it is good though. Mom has promised no more surgeries the rest of the year and I am going to hold her to that.

Summer has been hot here so I mostly lay around in the air conditioning. It is really an old dogs life and I have no complaints. I'm going to upload my newest pic strutting around in my Doggles. Mom really likes this pic, says I look so young but of course I had been groomed. It is always nice not to look your age for a couple of months but I'm back to the big fluffy SARDS coat and mom needs to get me shaved again. Until next time, enjoy the pic!!!