The end of an era.

The downside of owning a dog walking business are the goodbyes.
I just received notice that one of the original members of the Very Important Pet "Rat Pack" has died. Rico was mentioned in my last post as being the unlikely boyfriend of Lola. He had the Frank (cool), Dean (sexy), and Sammy (fun) combo going for him. Everyone (except cats and squirrels) found him irresistable.
Lola, Rico's girlfriend was always getting us in over our heads. One day she started a snarlefest with some unsuspecting dog and Rico did not like his tone. He chased after him talking smack. I was terrified he was going to get in a fight! I screamed "NO RICO"! He stopped in mid air, turned around and slowly walked back to us glaring over his shoulder at the other dog.
Of course Lola didn't let on that she was impressed but I think that day Rico became our hero. He was the consummate gentleman.
Rico I'm told lost his battle with cancer. His short time here touched many lives and even though Rico will forever live on in the chronicles of Very Important Pets...I sure hate to see him go.
Goodbye dear friend

The Look of Love

I have attempted to play cupid throughout the years without much luck. The friends that are still speaking to me will agree that I am not very good at it. My lack of matchmaking skills apparently spill over into the animal kingdom as well. When a new pup joins our group, I always think "I can't wait for "x" to meet "y". They are going to love each other"! Most of the time I am wrong.

A perfect example is Lola. A beautiful weimaraner with long legs and neurosis to match. I had her pegged for Apricot. A handsome golden retriever with the disposition of a southern gentleman. Nothing got under his skin. But no, Lola fell for Rico. A pit/shepard mix from the wrong side of the tracks. He growled, she snarled they were in love!

Another miss was Archie. He's a very big flirt in a jack russell body. I knew he was going to love Cici, a black cocker with eyelashes so long they should be illegal. Wrong again. Archie's first love was a blond vizsla/lab mix named Lexie. Unfortunately Lexie traded love for a career (she does search and rescue of tennis balls ). Archie's current object of affection is an older woman named Cokie. She's a stinky basset with an attitude that rivals any diva! They are still an item.

Then there is Rita and Sammy. I can't imagine those two any other way. Rita snorts, Sammy skips. They are storybook cute with a love affair straight out of a Disney movie. They are currently living together and probably in some adorable cuddle pose as I write.
Next but not least is Dexter. He is the player of the group. He looked so cute with Tala the English Shepard but he's one of those guys that can't be tied down. He loves the girls AND the boys.....Who knew?

With love in the air, I guess it's best I give Cupid back his bow and arrow. If you are out there looking for love maybe it's best to follow the lead of our furry friends. Just close your eyes and let that arrow fly. You never know what might happen. Hopefully it won't land on a stinky basset!

Have a wonderful Valentines Day!

nicki

Nicki and I found one another in the spring of 1993. I had no idea what I was in for. I thought that getting a puppy while starting a new business would be a great way to start out my new career as a pet sitter. Hah!
I brought Nicki home from the local shelter. We had a week or two of being head over heels in love. Then the honeymoon was over! For the next 15 years that girl did not let up. She was relentless. The garbage cans, the shoes, the hunting excursions, the late nights, the parties, the list goes on and on. She filled our lives with so many adventures, laughter and tears. I wouldn't change a thing. Her antics usually led to some lesson to be learned. Nicki taught how to be tough when necessary, strong when challenged, joyful, forgiving, and most important, how to love with an open heart. Nicki died last year. Her little 18 pounds of scruffiness may be gone but that terrier spirit is still here guiding me through this next adventure - the trails of the Internet. I hope to somehow share the essence of what we started 16 years ago. Our labor of love "Very Important Pets".