Duchess & Oscar

1/17/24 - first of at least 3 posts coming 

Long time readers (or readers that went & read old posts) may remember the tail of Duchess & Oscar.

Duchess was our 4th dog, adopted a year after Goldberg left us. She was a pretty stoic dog overall. She loved playing with our pack members (Athena, Peryn & Lada), but was pretty standoffish with all others. 

We took the dogs to the dog park rather regularly & she would always go off by herself.  She may sniff a dog or two here and there, but for the most part she ignored them. 

Even our next door dogs she would ignore.   She was overly affectionate, but she showed her devotion in other ways.  

The change began in 2017 when we made the decision to start sending her & Athena to daycare with Peryn. It was also to give Lada time to bond & other things until she was able to start attending herself.

During one pickup I was told Duchess was "flirting" with another dog.   I laughed, but brushed it off as they were joking & she had a small interaction with another dog.

After being told this again, another time, I was like "Really?" and then shown a video of her "flirting". I was shocked. Duchess rarely interacted with dogs (maybe the bigger dogs occasionally at the dog park).  However, regularly INSTIGATING play with a single dog that was not part of our pack....

And then began the regular posting of Duchess annoying the heck out of her paramour.   

I adored it. It was cute & we laughed at the tails of Lada "cock blocking" (Cause dare anyone have fun where she's not involved). 
For 2 years, I enjoyed these updates & posts.

Unfortunately we unexpectedly lost Duchess in early December of 2019.  It hurt to see pictures posted of Oscar without her, but dog-life must go on.

This past weekend the daycare posted that Oscar had crossed the rainbow bridge.    Very truly saddened by this, but know that my Duchess was eagerly awaiting to hip bump her man.

The WHOLE Crew

 Here are every single one of my babies.    Formal photos except for Goldberg.
The note on the photo indicates he was originally my brother's dog. Additionally most of the photos we have are from BEFORE digital and I haven't gotten around to scanning them yet. So he got his own section.....

1 year-Duchess

 

Pupdate--the new normal

First off, the last post was written at a very emotional and devastating time. I apologize for all bad grammar and spelling errors. 

Since her passing, it's been difficult to an extent. We never thought we'd be losing one of our pack this year, let alone it being Duchess.

The worst part of all this?  When we've shared the news, everyone hears us say Duchess, but their minds go to Athena.   We have to correct them.   Only then do some get why this hit us so flipping hard.

We miss her.  Miss her terribly. We never realized just how much energy she brought to this house & family.   

This post has taken me nearly 3 weeks to compose.  So many mixed emotions and so much going on.

Tomorrow marks a month since we said 'goodbye'.   We do miss her incredibly. You don't realize just how much they are ingrained into your everyday routine.   I find myself reaching for her at night to give her some rubs, like I did every night while lying in bed.   It's heartbreaking when I realize she isn't there. 

The dogs obviously missed her at first.   Apparently Peryn became rather clingy the day after while at daycare.   That dog is not a cuddler or clingy.   
They did go searching for her at day care and at home.   They won't sleep on the dog bed that she seemed to have claimed.  

Other than that I didn't think there was any other signs that they missed her---until I really thought about 1 new thing that Peryn has been doing.

In our new home we use the basement as their play area.  SO for months we'd go downstairs with the pups and let them go wild with their herding ball.   I even began putting Athena in her cart to let her run around with them.

Oftentimes Duchess would come downstairs and beg for some petting while looking at the dogs like they were idiots.   She never wanted any part in that, but she did like to hang out next to me when I was sitting down there watching. 

Within the past few weeks, Peryn has been spending a lot of time down there alone.  He'll either play with the big ball himself or....since I can't see down there I don't know.  He waits for someone- whether it be Lada, Rich, myself, or anyone else to join him while he plays. If no one comes down, he will be down there for hours.    

This started after Duchess was gone.   I couldn't figure out any connection.   Yesterday it dawned on me.   After dinner (or day care), Duchess would curl up on the couch and sleep. Peryn was often by her side.  If she was on the couch-- so was she.  If she was on her bed in front of the fire, so was he.   They were pretty close. 

When I took Lada on visits to Tenn, Peryn & Duchess would play with one another. 
Whenever they went outside, he always waited for her to come back in before he would.  He kept an eye on her.   

Now with her gone, he doesn't have anyone to sleep with or watch out for.   He always keeps an eye on Lada, but Duchess was more an equal of sorts.  Without her lying down and sleeping--he now goes to the basement.     

With Mom visiting, she worries about him and will go down to check on him or watch him play.  I just let him be..... 

We don't want any security cameras inside the house, but are considering getting one for the basement (as it's just storage and our dogs).    This way we can keep an eye on him while he's down there.    He does have the ability to come up and down as he pleases, he just chooses not to do so.

My friends have been absolutely wonderful. The outpouring of love we've received after her passing has been so touching.  SO many people loved her and it warms me knowing others will miss her as well.

SO that's been our new normal since she left us.

Duchess Penelope- December 5, 2019

Tuesday Dec 3

Originally I planned to blog about Athena and how hard it is dealing with a dog that has DM. 
Then yesterday Duchess returned from play care a shadow of her self.   

Watching all the craziness

She was her normal happy self when I dropped them off at play care earlier in the day. She was not right when she came home.   She just stood there with a vacant expression. It was like someone just sucked her whole personality out of her.   She walked very very slowly. Taking small steps.  She would not eat (a DEFINITE sign something was wrong).  She would not lie down.  She would walk the house (pace) and just would stare off. She would walk to a corner or wall and just stare. 

I was freaking out.   My baby girl was sick and I was not prepared for this.   I slept horribly all night, getting up to check on her.     This morning I got her to lie at my feet and relax enough to fall asleep.

After running to work to grab my work pc, I came home and was able to call a full service clinic that opened at 7am. Our vet opens at 8 and has to send out for blood work--so I just went somewhere else.

It was a nice day Sunday Morning

At 8am we were walking into Avon Lake Animal Clinic.  Blood work, X-rays, & an Ultrasound found that my dear sweet Duchess had a large mass (most likely cancerous).  Skipping over the details-- ultimately we've made the decision to ease her suffering.  

Rich will be coming home soon and we'll be on our way to send our baby to hang out with her older siblings and my Dad.    

I'm devastated.      Onto Duchess---

Duchess was actually chosen by Rich.  We were looking for another dog and she was one of the ones he was interested in.  I sent inquiries and on June 11 I took Galen & Sheba with me to Wayne Cty to meet this girl.     

The ignored each other which was a success and we made plans to come back on Friday to take her home.   

Her profile pic

June 14-my birthday-- we brought this gorgeous girl home with us.   She got along with Galen & Sheba and was more than we could have hoped for. 

Completely house trained-- she never had an accident in the house.   She was a bit aloof at times, but appreciated being petted.   She was pretty chill at first.      Eventually her playfulness started to show and we knew we'd need to find her a play mate.

She loved to play with her food.  She'd pick out pieces and flip them in the air.   She loved playing with her pack.   She would try to get Sheba to play, but Sheba's age prevented that.   ALong came Athena and the 2 of them would play.  

June 11 2013

When Peryn came along- she was in heaven. We discovered she preferred to play roughly. Peryn was up for the challenge. The 2 of them would play often and it always made me smile.

After doing a DNA test, we discovered she was a Boxer/Husky cross.  My beautiful girl.  We joined NOHME and began meeting other husky owners.   Duchess, while loved playing with her family, wasn't much of a socializer. She would often walk off on her own to explore than play with the other dogs.

June 14 2013-the Pack 

At parks she would run off and explore.  During one of these park visits we found she LOVED big open spaces so she could run.  The big smile on her face said it all.  Duchess was happiest running free.  

She loved getting attention from her humans, but she would NOT kiss you.  She doled out only a handful of kisses in her time with us. It's become a contest on who she would kiss on the face next.  

ALDP 2013

We got compliments on her all the time.   She was a beauty.   Everyone loved her ears. Loved her eyes..   They just thought she was so beautiful.    

She was a bit difficult around others.  If she saw someone running, she would jump up towards them--and keep on running. We called this a drive by as it scared the crap out of people.   She had a ferocious bark and let it loose on those she deemed suspect. 
She didn't realize her size and would knock someone down if she jumped up on them.. She was picky about who she liked.    

Those she loved--  man she loved them.  Our neighbor Kara, our neighbors Mike & Lissette, our friend Stacy, my brother Dave, my Dad, my Mom......the gals at play care.     

Playcare-- I was leery at first sending her there.   With her being a loner, I didn't think she would like being stuck with dogs all day long.   It soon became apparent I had nothing to fear.  She would go bonkers when we were driving there. 

Lazily looking out the window

First Kiss to Uncle Dave

Once- and probably the last time she ever did--she kissed me after I picked them up.   Blew me away.    Soon I come to find out, my little loner isn't really a loner.   She had a boyfriend.  Then it's a couple of boyfriends.  My girl was a big ole flirt.  She prefers larger male dogs to play with.     This brought so much love into me because I knew it brought her happiness.

Duchess loved her siblings.   She was always near one of them.   I have picture upon picture of Duchess with one of them.   She was a true pack dog.   Even her little sister--pain in the ass sister-Lada.  While Lada ruined all of Duchess' fun and they would go at each other most days--- Duchess kept an eye on Lada and vice versa.   

Duchess liked her routine.  4am was her "brusha" time. I would get up (or be woken up ) to let them out and give them their Brush Chews followed by a cookie or 2.  Heaven forbid you be late.
I would come home from work and she would jump around happy to see me and then I'd let them out. She'd come right back inside and walk over to the "treat center".   Time for her "afternoon snack".     Her other favorite things were sunning herself in the back yard, looking out the windows and doors --and just being with us.

She loved to eat snacks. Any chance she got, she was begging for it.   That's why Kara, Mike & Lissette were her favorites. They gave her snacks.

She would still occasionally play with her food. When she wasn't playing with it, she'd push it out of the bowl when she was bored with it.

She loved going for walks and loved to walk over to the park a few doors down from our new house.   She just loved going on walks period.   

With Her Dragon

She was my beautiful girl.  

When we first got her it was summer and we only had a queen sized bed. Rich began sleeping in the guest room--so Duchess slept with me.  When Rich attempted to return to the bed a few weeks later, she wasn't having it.  
And so began the nightly ritual of Rich and Duchess having a stand off over who got Rich's space in bed.     She lost most of the time, but she always let him know she wasn't happy about it one bit. 

As I sit here typing this up, I'm crying and little girl is beside me trying to stop me from crying She was with me, Dave, & Mom when we were with Dad as he passed--so I know she senses my grief.  

She was always my girl, but really for the past few years--she was Rich's as well. Whenever he was in his office---she was there as well.  She liked being away from the craziness that was Lada & Peryn.

The Crew

Begging for food

I know her last few weeks were great.  She had visitors left and right between our housewarming party, my Mom & Dave's visit and then Thanksgiving.    She loved our new house and patrolling the back fence as walkers on the path passes by.    She got lots of treats. 
Tuesday night she got lots of Turkey as I prepped the garbage for garbage day.
She got lots of affection --  she was pretty damn happy until she wasn't.   

I will miss you -you beautiful girl. Run Free!!!

December 5 2019

I will make you love me!

Such a pretty girl

Always sitting pretty

Pack version 5

Sisters

Always near her pack

Duchess in the early days

She used to love toys!

Playing with her food & food bowl

Sun bathing!

Drive me human!

What?!!!

Running free.........

More sun bathing

And more 

MY BONE

Another Bone

Looking out that window

Enjoying the sun

Are you coming up?

HER family

Let us IN!

What?

Waiting for you Mommy

Fun at the park.

Add caption

SPOTLIGHT ON......Duchess-the (no longer) loner

Been meaning to do this for weeks, but I get so tired at the end of the day --when there is time.

SO I'm going to talk about Duchess.  

Duchess on PetFinder

 We adopted Duchess into our tiny pack that consisted of Galen & Sheba. She was a very good addition to the family.   She was very non-responsive to the older two and was accepted rather easily.

I would brag about Duchess as being "chill".  She was laid back and there were no issues.

First pic of the new pack

Eventually as she became accustomed to the family, she began to show her true colors. She would often try to get Sheba to play and would often be found playing with her food.  She was a doll and made me smile often.

As time marched on and nature took it's course, we lost Galen and it was just Duchess and Sheba.  Duchess was the perfect companion to Sheba. She definitely helped her through her grief of losing her Life mate.   


Next came Athena and Duchess liked her as well. In the beginning the 2 of them would be wrestling and playing in the house.   It made me smile knowing Duchess had a playmate.  

We began bringing the girls to the park and Duchess would go off by herself. She would sniff the entire perimeter, stay by herself, and would not play with any dog.   She was "fence aggressive" to new dogs entering the park and we had to watch for new people entering all the time.


As Athena became more socialized, she gained new friends and didn't want to play with Duchess.  In fact, these two just didn't seem to click the way any of my previous dog combos had.   

1st family photo with Athena

Any park, any time that we took them to, Duchess was off by herself.  She might interact with a bigger dog here or there, but nothing ever came from it.

We started taking them to this awesome park in the country that was almost always empty and huge. Duchess LOVED it. She loved to run free and do her own thing. The happiest I'd ever seen her was at this park.

Duchess and Athena

Along comes Peryn.  The girls were NOT happy when we first brought Peryn home.  Duchess loved going to pick him up as she got to run with a pony, but the actual coming home..not a fan.

Yet, within a week, Duchess had a playmate.  Not just any playmate..one who took her on. It didn't matter if she towered over him, Peryn would dish it out as much as he took it.   

Still at parks, Duchess did her own thing.  She may allow her siblings to tag along on her perimeter searches, but she still didn't participate.     We joined a husky group because she was a husky, but our husky NEVER played.


At the beginning of this year, right after adopting Lada, we began sending Duchess and Athena to daycare with Peryn.   I was concerned at first due to her disinterested attitude.  At first, I felt my fear was a bit justified.  In the photos they posted from daycare, she was just lying there. She never looked like she played.  

Through 2017 a few other things in addition to daycare came to play.
First,  Lada is obsessed with her big sister. She might antagonize her and interrupt her play, but Lada adores Duchess.  And I really think Duchess loves Lada.  In spite of how they play, she's never "attacked" Lada..and she's had reason to.

And with the 2 puppies, more park visits were happening. The most shocking thing started happening. 

We like this blue dude.

At the dog park & at meets, Duchess didn't necessarily go off on her own.  She'd be right there in the middle of the chaos. Now, she wasn't necessarily playing, but she wouldn't be off by herself the whole time.   She would occasionally play a bit with the right dog, but she wasn't really a longer any longer.  

The big change is when I went to drop them off at daycare one morning.  Normally the hub would do it, but for whatever reason, I did this morning.  Duchess started getting super excited and howling in the car on the way to day care.    Then it eventually turned into going nutts in the drop off area.   Then it was knowing it was day care day.

Big Sis & baby sis

Duchess & Lada

Duchess & her shadow

The BIG change is when the owner of the daycare tells me she's got a "crush".  Duchess actually plays with other dogs and especially one she likes to follow around. 


 So you're reading it right here. Duchess, once a loner, now has a boyfriend!!!  

Playcare and her little annoying sister have forced this loner into a participator.    Who'd of thunk it?

I think I love you

near the boyfriend

She's becoming a stalker

Duchess and her love