Muses From My Past & Present

Muses From My Past - The Girls

Many dogs have come in and out of my life and I certainly had my share of family dogs growing up. Below are the five major players of my adult life — from my past and present — who have been my crash test dummies and to whom I am most grateful for helping me in my own journey of benevolent leadership.

Teisha • 1981 – 1995

 

My first and most deeply valued teacher. Teisha ushered in my entry into adulthood as a 21st birthday gift to myself. She eased the tumultuousness of my young adulthood and kept me stable. In our nearly 14 years together we lived in five states, 28 different living situations and lots of travel — Teisha visited over 30 U.S. States and Canada with me  in our peripatetic life.  She helped me get though college (often coming to class quietly and surreptitiously) and graduate school. She mothered 17 pups in 3 litters helping pave the way and waiting around long enough to help me start my own mothering journey before going on to the Rainbow Bridge in March 1995 when my oldest daughter was 2. Like Mary Poppins, Teisha was practically perfect in every way.

 

 

Maeya • 1991 – 2001

Maeya joined the clan when Teisha was 10 and I realized I needed Teisha’s wisdom to wrangle a new pup. A post graduate school gift to myself , Maeya serendipitously entered my life in the summer of 1991. A Catahoula Leopard Stock Dog from a working cattle ranch in New Hope, Pennsylvania, Maeya helped rejuvenate her canine mentor and doubled the fun. She taught me about hound humor and the need for patience in the slow-to-mature nature of her breed group. Everything I know about reliable recall started with Maeya. This noble girl helped me survive the births and early childhood of all 3 of my daughters. Maeya died from complications of recurring breast cancer but on her own terms and in my arms. Stoic and gentle to the end, her death was an amazing final gift after a decade of adventure. Maeya helped with Lily’s first years and nurtured many foster dogs, cats and kittens that crossed our threshold during her lifetime.

 

 

Lily • 1999 – 2010

What can I say. The Queen of the Pack, my go to girl, my aide de camp, Lily lost her battle with canine hemangio- sarcoma January 10, 2010 at the age of 10 years, 2 mos. I still find myself missing her at odd times. Her journeys are profiled throughout the history of the blog entries. Like Teisha, Lily was a great teacher. Unlike Teisha who had the sunniest and most easy going of personalities, it was working through Lily’s quirks and challenges that both inspired and challenged me to walk the walk many of my clients learn to also follow in helping overcome their dog’s behavioral issues. And like her mentor, Maeya, Lily died on her own terms and in the loving arms of her loved ones. Her entry into the clan was serendipitous, unplanned and my middle daughter’s first memory. Given that my first memory was the assassination of John F. Kennedy, I think hers the better first memory!

 

The Current Pack

The Boys

 

Mr. Happy Pants

Trip

Trip joined the pack several months after Maeya’s Loss in late 2001 (WHY I PICKED TRIP — ‘Tickling Me” ©2011). I had always wanted a large dog in a little dog package. Enter the Jack Russell Terrier. Trip fits the bill and more. Irrepressible, happy, loyal and occasionally terrieristic, Trip is a trip.

 

The Loyal One.

Bean

After Teisha’s loss in 1995, I swore I would NEVER get another English Springer Spaniel. I feared it would invite comparisons. None could even hold a candle to the revered memory of my heart dog, Teisha.

I needn’t have worried! In September 2003 Bean joined the crew. All boy where Teisha had been a refined and dainty lady, Bean enjoys anything life has to offer. Just as happy to rip through the woods as hang serenely in formal public speaking situations as a spokesdog extra-ordinaire, Bean is the epitome of loyal and true.

Tommy

The Cats

I would be remiss if I didn’t include the felines of A Better Pet. Too many have graced the portals to mention, many as a way station to forever homes, but the 2 who reside here now full time, and our two part timers, are all rescues with fascinating tales leading them to Chez A Better Pet. Our full timers are Grace and Tank; Lola and Byrne have found neighbors to live with but come by to visit now and then.

 

Irrepressible, confident, adventurous, fearless, funny. Tank.

You can read about his early months HERE.