Solan's last entry

It is with a heavy heart that I am writing Solan's last entry. He was a wonderful, loving, bright, beautiful, good-natured companion for the last nine years. I could not have asked for a better dog than Solan. He never ceased to give unconditional love to me as well as everyone he came across.

His passing last night came as a shock. Solan slowed down this year and he didn't have the usual bounce in his step but he still enjoyed his daily walks. He suffered from chronic ear infections for the past several years. Visits to the vet to have his ears flushed were always trying but Solan took it all in stride, never once complaining. He was so easy going and accepting, it hurt me to see him uncomfortable and sad. Yet he never outwardly showed it. His facial expression always seemed so composed. Solan would whimper and whine for a bit then he would stop and lie down on his bed, his chin resting on his left paw while he tucked his front one under his chest. At times he would give a sigh which seemed to express resignation rather than contentment.

I regret not spending more time with him, not taking him to Funston as often as I should have, not giving him enough treats, and not giving him more hugs and kisses he deserved.

Solan was my sun and moon. His life was too short. I know I'll be told that he's no longer suffering and in dog heaven but I'd rather have him here with me so I can hold him a little longer.

Rest in Peace, Sol y Luna
Well-loved Companion
March 9, 2002 - December 11, 2011

my return to civilization

I've been ill with one intestinal worm or another the last couple of months. The bouts of depression, vomiting, and diarrhea knocked me out of commission but I have fully recovered and in excellent health per my vet. And at 6 yrs old, I feel better than ever! Thank you to all my well wishers and thoughtful comments during my long absence.

back to the suburbs

Yesterday, dad came by to visit us and we all took a walk around the neighborhood. When we arrived home, mom filled my food dish, dad filled my water bucket and then they both left me. Something was definitely going on. Usually, mom and dad discuss things in front of me but this time around, they left for dinner together.

When they returned, mom started bagging up my things and handing them off to dad who placed them in his car. I noticed earlier that mom packed up most of her things also and dumped it in her car trunk. Where was she going? Where was I going?

Dad loaded me up in his car and I was so excited I was going for a car ride, I refused to move from my back seat to give my mom a hug. She waved goodbye and blew me kisses. Then dad and I left the city.

We drove over the bridge, past the hills and through the tunnel. Dad's place is so much quieter than mom's. Less to see and do and freakishly hot. Suburban life. I got a second walk that night and during the walk, I overheard dad tell mom on his cell that I was fine and for her to have a good trip (where is she going?) and we'll see her sometime next month.

Next month? I'm stuck in the 'burbs for a month! I can't believe she's leaving for that long. No wonder she cleared out everything in the house, including me.

New home!

Well, it's been nearly three weeks since I've moved into my new home and I love it! I have the run of the house and mom even lets me sleep in the same room as her now. Besides the new home, we're in a new neighborhood. Actually, it's not that new but we live much closer to my friends, Gabby and Odie.

Gabby and her dad came to visit us the other day. I tried to show Gabby around my swanky new pad but she was more interested in my food bowl which my mom had to take away from her. As far as impressing Gabby, she wouldn't buy it. Even when I tried to make the moves on her, she gave a couple warning barks and I backed off. What a bitch. I hope mom doesn't invite Gabby over anymore. Her dad can come visit but not her.

In any case, I'm still exploring my new surroundings and mom worked out a regular walking route for me every morning and afternoon. If I'm lucky, I get an extra night walk!

day three

It's the third day this week and so far I have had the good fortune of sleeping at the base of the bed in my mom's room at night. The only reason I could think of as to why I am given this special privilege is that the master of the household is not around. Of course, this arrangement won't last long. Mom made me aware of it when she took me for a walk this morning and on our way out, my tail got caught in the frame when she shut the door. Yes, it hurt. And yes, she was sorry.

Nevertheless, during our walk, she told me that tonight would be the last night I will be sleeping in her room and despite being on my best behavior (i.e. no whining, whimpering, howling, paw-chewing, butt chewing, etc.) Freedom is always short lived.

adventures on public transportation

So, Mom and I are still in housing limbo. We haven't moved into our new home yet because the tenants are being difficult. Mom curses more than usual now because of this. She's all but given up. Recently, she started looking for a new place for us and she even went so far as dressing me up in a cowboy costume in the hopes that potential landlords may find me too adorable to say no. Alas, I'm too large a dog and everyone has denied us renting approval.

Our search is currently on hold because we are without a vehicle. Mom was rear-ended this past weekend and her car makes a funny noise. She considered taking me to Funston but decided against driving just in case the exhaust pipe fell off.

Not one to be deterred, Mom always has a backup plan. She donned a pair of sunglasses, threw a black and orange vest over me, strapped a leash-type harness around my front legs and neck and we were off to the bus stop down the street.

We stood there waiting for what seemed like hours. Mom kept correcting me and told me to stand still and try to act like a professional working dog. I did my best not to sniff and fidget. The bus arrived. We got on and stayed near the front seats. The other passengers quickly moved to the rear of the bus and stared at us in fear. I thought this was amusing. We rode for four stops and got off. The driver gave my mom a compliment and she said something about my training.

Mom made me sit until the bus driver drove off with all the faces of the passengers plastered against the windows looking down at us. When I looked up at Mom, she had a huge grin on her face. She patted my head and told me that this was way too easy.

We crossed the street to another bus stop and waited. The bus arrived and we got on. The passengers on this one weren't as frightened but they still gave us ample personal space.

So many different smells! It was intoxicating! I wanted to pee on every seat but Mom had a tight grip on my harness. People got on and off the bus every time we stopped. I wanted to get off also. My stomach was growling, I was getting queesy from the jerky movements, and I needed to pee badly.

Mom pulled a metal cord lining the side of the bus and our ride ended. We unloaded and lo and behold! We were at Funston! Mom ran into a friend of hers with his female lab mix. I ran along side my new girlfriend while Mom told her friend about our bus adventures. Somehow Mom managed to smooth talk our way into hitching a ride home. Too bad. I wanted to ride the bus again.

Double the fun

Mom took me to Fort Funston TWICE this past weekend! I'm fairly sure I deserved it.

There were so many dogs during our first trip out on Sat. Mom recognized some of her doggy buddies and we strolled along with them for a while. I got bored and decided to run off and steal tennis balls. I latched onto my new friend, Tyler, a black lab that ran circles around me. I liked my friend's guardian. He gave me treats and kept petting me on the head. I decided to go home with them. Mom didn't agree to my decision and managed to leash me and take me back to the car. Damn her.

The following morning, she woke me up from my slumber and back to Funston we went. It was still dark out and the sun was just coming up. When we got to the park, we sat in the car to keep warm and watch the sun rise. There were only a handful of dogs milling around. I thought we were going to sit there all day but she let me out. Mom spotted another friend of hers and, lo and behold! Gabby was with him. I stuck to her like white on rice and I think she was a bit annoyed. What does she expect? I missed her! I kept trying to steal her ball. She would have none of it. But I managed to take it away from her and proceeded to slobber all over it before I gave it back. This was my last ditch effort to give her mono in case I never see her again. Mom interfered and so did her friend. Maybe they will catch mono instead. One can only hope.

When it was time to part, I refused to listen to mom and jump in the car. I watched Gabby walk away until she was no longer in sight. I hope she misses me.

Finally, the holidays are over

For Christmas, Dad dropped by and gave me a large, 4-pack greenie gift. I got a bully stick and a tuff n' ruff chew toy from mom that won't last very long. And my uncle gave me a rubber ball with holes already in it which made it difficult for me to puncture.

Mom wore me out last weekend. She took me for longer walks than usual. I got a bath at PFE in preparation for the new year where several other dogs were subjected to the same by their owners who oohed and awed over me. My good looks always increase exponentially because of this.

After my bath, we walked outside and I proceeded to pee on the nearest bush. I managed to splatter myself in the process and then stepped right into my puddle for good measure. Mom rolled her eyes at me. When we got home, I had the longest brushing of my life...three hours of non-stop combing. What loose hair that came off me could have made another large-sized dog. Eventually, mom got tired of brushing and took out the vacuum and attempted to suck the hair off my body. She thought this was hilarious. I was not amused. But I got a treat for my humiliation so everything's okay.

I think Mom's on the hunt

I know this. I smell it. She's ranting and raving and running around like mad. People are calling, offering to watch me, and taking mom out in the evening without ME. She's home long enough to give me an hour walk before she's off again. I even heard that dad is coming by to take me off mom's hands for a while.

Other than the hour of ear cleaning I endured under mom's vice grip, she's been giving me these wonderful liver and chicken training treats stuffed in my blue, rubber ball. What is this? Bribery? Am I being fattened and cleaned up for the purpose of being sold off?

This has happened before. I remember what I did last time. I got the hell out of her way. And then time passed and things were back to normal. I got to do whatever I wanted. Mom would spend hours reading or singing to me. I'd get all her attention. And then she would disappear. I would soon detect hints of a human male scent and sometimes another dog! and the cycle would start all over again.

Oh, and another story regarding my health

Two days ago, my mom finally gets a clue and decides to take care of me once again. She takes me on a trip to the vetmobile for a set of long overdue health shots. I get a liver treat for good behavior.

The next day, we make a trip to the vet's office. I'm left there in the morning. People I have never seen before drag me by my collar and wrestle me to the ground. I'm given a several shots in my behind. Next thing I know, I'm in a 4' by 6' concrete cell with a cone around my neck. I could barely stand up and everything looks blurry and vaguely familiar. My teeth and gums are sore. My left ear is numb and my right ear is throbbing. I couldn't even see my paws because the stupid cone is blocking my view. My head is spinning. The people that knocked me out pulled me out of my holding cell and walked me to the waiting room where, lo and behold, my mom is there looking concerned and a bit sheepish. She must have did this to me! I could read the guilt all over her face! So, I turn away from her and give her a view of my ass.

Turns out, I had a hemotosis (blood clot) in my left ear lobe from a broken blood vessel that eventually filled up and got infected. I received a dozen stitches and an open three inch cut to allow fluid and blood to drain. My ear is still a bloody mess and I'm unhappy about wearing my neck gear but at least my mom is feeding me ham treats while I pout away.