13/07/2025
my sweet first baby tika passed away peacefully last night at the age of 19 (!!!) with a smile on her face. my mom said her ears perked up like she was "running towards something beautiful." i like to think she saw ducky, peach & squirtle welcoming her across the rainbow bridge with an ice cream party 🤍 it was very tough for me not to be there during her transition out of this world, but my mom cared for her beautifully on her final day. honestly, i've been thinking about this when this moment would come for like 5 years!
tika conquered so many setbacks in her old age & truly seemed like a dog who would just live forever. i've been saying bye to her when i visit home as if it could be the last time i see her for multiple years now. she lived such a beautiful & long life that it makes the grief slightly easier, but it doesn't eliminate the pain of her no longer being here. i got tika when i was 10 & would've never expected her to live though so many milestones in my life.
she cuddled me during middle & high school, watched my relationship with finley bloom, celebrated our engagement with us, attended my bridal shower, comforted me during my first trimester & even got to meet our daughter. she was the first dog i ever truly connected with & is surely the reason i have my chihuahua boy larry now (the last pic is the final pic i took of her/them together in jan). she was the best, most deranged & demanding dog i have ever known.
in her old age, she became the house overlord. she barked for food at 3:30 PM, slept on sheepskin rugs & kept a wandering eye open while she slept for every house guest. she was pushed around in her chariot as she couldn't walk very well the past couple years & she outlived every dog in our neighborhood.
oh the stories this woman could tell... she was an absolute LEGEND! thank you, my tiny tiks for all you taught me about love & dogs. my tina tika, sumo stink, tiki tempo. i hope i am even half the woman you were! 👑🐕💅 queen of my heart & forever a GA badass!