R.I.P Tatika 1998-2012
After 14 years, two of which we thought she could go any day, on Friday morning (May 4th at 10 a.m.) we finally said good-bye to Tatika, our German shepherd and the only dog Cole and I have know as long as each other (and in Cole’s case, she knew her even longer).
All the dogs are unique in their own way, but Tatika, Tika for short, seemed to stand out from the rest due to her selflessness. A true shepherd, she took watching over all of us very seriously. She always positioned herself in a corner so she could look out over the whole room, if Cole was home she would stay by the door to ensure Cole couldn’t leave without her knowing, and each evening she would periodically wander through the house touching her nose to every human and dog, performing some form of shepherd “counting” to ensure all the members of her flock were accounted for. It should go without saying that she also was a guard dog extraordinaire and wouldn’t let anyone in the house she didn’t know.
Unlike the other dogs, she rarely caused mischief of any kind. When she was younger and we worked away from home 8-10 hours a day, she would get bored and take anything with a screw top, but usually shampoo bottles, to our bed and open the lids. She had no interest for what was in them, I think she was just such an abnormally smart dog, the long hours alone left her under-stimulated, so she problem-solved to occupy her mind and her time.
One of the only times we can remember when Tatika was actually naughty was when we got a free-range turkey one Thanksgiving. Tika had always been the type of dog you could leave a steak on your plate on the floor and go into the next room and she wouldn’t touch it, so we were surprised when we came home from work the day after Thanksgiving and found that Tika had gotten the cooked bird down from the stove top, took it to our bed and ate as much as she could fit. I guess the gamey smell of a wild bird, must have been too much for her (upon coming to Alaska, moose meat seemed to have the same effect on her). There was grease and bone and turkey bits all over our sheets, and of course stuffing herself so thoroughly, she had pooped in several other locations around the house, which again was something Tika NEVER did, no matter how sick she was. It was perhaps one of the biggest messes we have ever had, possibly only rivaled by a time when we were gone on a dog run and Tika again unscrewed a cap out of boredom and spilled a five-gallon jug of corn oil in our living room.
Despite these rare exceptions, Tatika was the best behaved and best listener of any of the dogs in our lives. Even as she went deaf the last two years, she still listened better than the rest. Extremely smart, as she started going deaf, we began using hand signals to communicate to her and after losing her hearing, if she saw us make any gesture she knew, she would immediately respond.
In her youth she accompanied us on thousands of evening jogs, hundreds of weekend hikes and she loved to play fetch, particularly at the beach or a pond, when she could run and swim out to retrieve whatever toy we had brought that day. While mushing across Alaska has brought many adventures with the dogs, I still think some of the happiest days of my life were when it was just Cole, Tatika, Snickers and I living in Georgia. We could give them both our full attention, rather than trying to share equal amounts with so many like now (which there never seems like enough time for when you have so many). There were few chores, financial burdens, and no racking our brain to find someone responsible to hold down the fort when we wanted to take off for a weekend. We would just load Tika and Snickers up, throw the tent in the car and take off for a carefree weekend in nature. We all were at our happiest. We were a family and we were together with the ones we all loved the most.
Tika’s absolute favorite toy in the world was her basketball, which she moved with her mouth and forelegs like a soccer player. We would kick it as far as we could and she would “dribble” it back to us, ready to do it all over again. Even in her final days she would try to play with the basketball and we would put a sling under her to support her weight and hips so she could play for a few minutes until tired.
In her youth she was a powerhouse, who jumped through numerous glass windows to try and find Cole. One time in Georgia she even went out a second story window, and ran around on the roof for who knows how long until we got home and could get out the window ourselves and get her back in.
In her old age, she was no less rewarding to be around. Bonded to Cole like no other breed or dog I have ever seen bond to anyone, she grew first to tolerate me, and then accept me, and eventually to like me. Working from home the last two years, I was able to provide companionship and hospice for her as her body began to wither with time. I’ll miss building morning fires in the woodstove so she could lie on her bed in front of it and stay warm and comfy.
After knowing her to the end, I feel bad for people who are quick to euthanize a dog that begins having accidents. We decided to leave Tika as long as she was happy, mentally alert and not suffering in anyway. Tika’s rear-end began going out about a year and a half ago, but her mind was sharp until the day she died. As stated, she tried to play basketball until days before she passed away, and the day before, she still wandered around back to one of the few grass patches we have to sit in the sun while I fed and cleaned all the other dogs.
The nerves in her hips and legs had degenerated, so she needed help getting to her feet the last few months, but then could shuffle around for brief periods. I would carry her up and down our stairs, which no matter how old she got she still hated the indignity of and would try and resist. She couldn’t feel much in her back half, so she occasionally pooped when relaxed in her sleep, but we would clean it before she awoke (to not embarrass her or make her feel bad) since she didn’t do it consciously. After 14 years of companionship, it was a small task to endure.
Her teeth long ago wore out too from years of tennis balls, but she ate wet food, boiled turkey or chicken, and ground moose with gusto. No teeth meant there was nothing to hold back her silly tongue when she slept, so it would stick out of her mouth further the deeper into sleep she got. And even when she could no longer run, we could see her brittle legs kick in her sleep as she dreamed of days passed when she was still fleet of foot.
Her death was peaceful. She died in the living room, in Cole’s arms with her looking into her eyes telling Tika she was loved. I hugged her body and listened to her heart, still beating strong to the end, slow down and stop like a winding down watch. With so many others coming into our life after her, but passing away before her dying from illnesses or accidental injuries, it was so fulfilling to see Tika live a long life and die a natural cause, but now going forward and living without her seems so hard.
Forty dogs barking in your yard at the first sign of anything out of the ordinary makes you feel secure. There’s no sneaking up on a musher. But, somehow without Tatika – our shepherd, our protector, our defender, our friend – the world seems less safe today and a lot more lonely. Tatika ( a.k.a. Tika, T, Bigs and Mrs. Biggelsworth) we’ll love, miss and remember you always.
P.S. Cole is emotionally destroyed right now, but will write her goodbye when she feels up to it.
May 5th, 2012 at 8:17 pm
There is no easy way to say goodbye, they wrench the heart right out of our chests. But no matter what, it’s worth it and much, much more.
My dogs are wondering why I’m teared up, so I told them about Tika. They say she’s very happy in her new home and with her new dog wings. We all think that she is a beautiful girl who had one of the best lives a dog can have!
Those stories – screw tops! Corn oil and turkey everywhere! The bed! She was bigger than life, so had to make a bigger than life mess.
My hubby and I have a saying when we know we are likely to lose a person or pet, “No regrets”. We do everything in our power to do everything we possibly can to spend time and spoil ‘em rotten. No “coulda, woulda, shouldas” around here. You guys did that for Tika!
Cole, I had a similar dog of a similar age, with a similar story and place in my heart. He is with me all the time. He’s gone, but he’s not. You know – the forever dog never really leaves. They have become part of us and will be there always. She will find ways to show you that.
You guys got every minute possible to show her how much you loved her. You hung in with her just like I did with my forever dog and you will always be glad for that time. Hugs, and thank you for the lovely tribute to Tika. I need Kleenex, now, lots of it.
May 6th, 2012 at 3:32 am
So sorry to read of Tika’s moving on. You know she is hanging out on the other side of the rainbow bridge waiting for you, with a marvelously refreshed and energetic body, hoping someone will toss the basketball her way. Rest in peace, beloved Tika.
May 6th, 2012 at 3:33 pm
Here comes Tika, her beautiful eyes
Smiling at you but not sure of that guy
Here comes Tika, she takes it in stride
That wonderful man is now calling you bride
Here comes Tika, surveying the yard
Watchful of many is definitely hard
Here comes Tika, watching you race
She runs too, but at her own pace
Here comes Tika, looking for caps
Caps keep her company after her naps!
Here comes Tika, to tell you goodbye
She loves you and knows that you’ll cry
Here comes Tika, her dog wings spread wide
She’s asking to take you out for a ride
Trust in her love and her spirit so pure
Open your arms and go flying with her!
May 7th, 2012 at 7:56 am
Cole and Joseph my heart breaks with you for the loss of Tika.
I know words can’t fix the hurt you are feeling now but know you have many friends who understand. Your words have made Tatika live again and be vividly alive to all of us. She was quite an amazing dog.
Likewise right now my GSD mix Molly is in her endgame. Per my wonderful vets orders I’m spoiling her rotten.
So I have to lift her to her favorite chair and my bed, and yes she’s using the deck to do her business, well that’s part of life and love.
LOL I need the exercise lifting her and water and the scooper can clean the deck. Like you said “after 14 years of companionship, it was (is) a small task to endure”.
Know you are hurting right now but as you know it will pass and you will have the warm memories to keep. (hugs)
May 7th, 2012 at 10:28 am
Cole and Joseph, you have my empathy and sympathy. Tika was an exemplar of Good Dog. I agree with Martha, she’ll be with you always. Health and peace.
May 8th, 2012 at 1:05 am
Colleen and Joseph,
I am sorry to hear of the loss of your beloved Tatika. She sounds like a truly amazing dog and friend. Thank you for sharing stories of her and helping us get to know her. The love you have for her is apparent in you writing . Eventhough we often know that death is eminent, we are never ready for it. My heart goes out to you at this time of great loss.
May 8th, 2012 at 6:10 am
A life well lived. My only wish is that all dogs could have such a life and be so well cared for and loved. A dogs only fault is that they leave us too soon, but maybe even in that they are teaching us another lesson. My sympathy & best wishes.
May 8th, 2012 at 9:15 am
Dear Cole and Joseph,
“We can’t feel saddened over the loss of those we love without first remembering the joy of loving them. The real sadness would have been never having had them in our lives at all. Remembering is a journey the heart takes, back into a time that was and our thoughts are the only tickets needed to ride.
We who have truly loved (and been loved) are blessed.
Remember everything!”
Love and hugs,
Susan
May 8th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
Oh Cole and Joseph, I know the sorrow you are feeling right now. I know the pain of loving one so devoted to you. Connor was my heart, as I know all your dogs are yours. I can see in my heart right now that Tika is where all wonderful pet friends go, and she is running the fields with Connor and Doc and Kawlijah. It is so very hard to say good by to one that has been a part of you for so long. Let me know what I can do, if anything. My love to you both.
May 9th, 2012 at 7:49 am
Cole And Joseph, So sorry for your loss, I do know the pain you are going through. I lost both of my dogs Jedi & Kelsey this year Jedi last June 17th and Kelsey in November, Both were 14 1/2 years old. Jedi was my hero ( saved me from a cougar) with a story like your Tatika. When he was a puppy he used to chew the wiring on my husbands trailer he used for work he constantly had to fix them, he hated his bath, but otherwise he slept in our utility room right next to the garbage can. He NEVER got into it. I could pull fresh meat out of his mouth without any fear of him biting me which came in handy one time when he had eaten some cheerios and they got “packed in his mouth….I had to pull them out. Both of my dogs seemed to have 9 lives Kelsey had a stroke 2 1/2 years ago, instead of like you not putting her down I gave her physical therapy it took her 7 months to be able to walk again, but she did. Only to be hit by a car ( she was deaf and at this point would not move out of the way. I think people expected her to move) I thinking she was dead after neighbors telling me there was a reddish dog on the side of the road was it mine, found her trying to pull her way back to the house. Again I patched her up and waited the weeks to see if she would recover her spirit was strong but I knew age was against her. To my surprise she learned to walk all over again. It was always a toss up as to which dog would go first and when Jedi died, I was afraid I was going to lose her that same week. She held on until November she could barely stand she would start to “sag” as she stood. She would walk sideways and then just fall over she was a sight for sore eyes, but I loved her. She spent her full day just anxiously waiting for the times she could spend with me. She was never the inside dog, That was Jedi. In the end both were unable to walk the last few weeks and I actually had to tell them it was ok to go. I still have the picture in my head a Jedi with all the strength he could muster lifted his head to watch me walk off…..He was dead when I came back. It did get easier but my pain and tears have not gone away. I am just now looking at getting a new puppy. I am trying to be excited about it but this little guy has a some pretty big shoes to fill.
I really like what Susan above said, “The real sadness would have been never having had them in our lives at all.” I will have to remember that. Like my friends told me I will tell you Your dog was very lucky to have you as it’s owner. You gave her the very best possible life there was for her. There is a hole we will never be able to fill. But we are the better for it. Writing about them is therapy thank you for sharing and letting me share as well. We were the lucky ones to have such unique dogs. I still miss mine. Crying with you and sending love.
May 9th, 2012 at 12:04 pm
Cole & Joseph,
So sorry to hear of the loss of beautiful Tatika. Be assured that she is with you always, and that she is running around free of the constraints of her aging body.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
{{HUGS}}
Mary
June 19th, 2012 at 11:19 am
Joseph, I just read Cole’s tribute to Tika and now yours. I cried and cried for your loss, because I too have lost a forever friend. I loved your memories about the screw tops and turkey all over the bed. Eeewww! But those memories are the ones that will help you now. Her spirit is still with you, this I know, because before I adopted our new toy poodle, my newly deceased toy poodle cried out loud in my bedroom one night. I knew it was her wanting me to move on. As soon as I adopted the new one, I never heard her cry again. So, believe me when I tell you Tika’ spirit is there. You can feel him if you are very still. God Bless.