Miss Idaho was one of the first two dogs I ever loved as an adult. She and her sidekick Harriet taught me what a dog’s love really was: true and unconditional and unwavering and REALLY excited to be those things.
Lala never meant to own a six pound dog. (Who does, though?) Miss Idaho was abandoned in a yard, covered with mange and had no hair left, just scabbed skin over half of her body. Lala wasn’t rich and it took money to get that little girl healthy. Miss Idaho was worth it.
She was small enough to sit in Lala’s hand.
Now, every unexpected chihuahua needs a sweater, especially one who goes back and forth to Idaho.
So Lala learned how to knit in order to make those sweaters for Miss Idaho, traveling dog of awesomness.
And because she learned to knit, Lala and I met. I fell in love with her dogs as well as with her.
So really, it’s all Miss Idaho’s sweater-wearing fault that I’m broken-hearted today.
Miss Idaho never knew she was small. I know that’s a small-dog cliche, but it was true. Once someone asked me at a dog park why I didn’t take her into the small-dog park, and I was stunned. It had never occurred to me to do so.
She always had her tongue out, asleep or awake. The tongue got longer and longer as she got older and older (tongues lose muscle tone, too).
Rarely shaky or barky in the traditional chihuahua way, she was the Alerter of the family, but only when we needed to be Alerted. She heard Lala coming home when she was still fifteen miles away. She liked to pee on anything soft on the floor, be it towel or rug or carpet. We couldn’t put down rugs, a shame in a house that mostly has tile and wood floors. We always joked we’d go straight to Ikea and buy a rug when she died (this happened early this morning. We’ve already been to Ikea, no lie).
She burrowed under covers when it was cold — I always knew it was time to switch to the winter blanket the first night she crawled under it with us. She slept with us every night, the only animal in this menagerie-house to do so. When she was younger and we were going on a walk, she would jump up and bite us on the butt.
All Miss Idahos wear cowboy hats, you know.
Miss Idaho was sick (congestive heart failure and a heart that was—quite literally—too big for her small body). Her breathing was getting worse and we’d just called the vet yesterday to see if we could increase her meds (the answer was yes, and we did). This morning her breathing got worse. We were on our way out of the house on the way to the vet when it became apparent she wouldn’t be around much longer, so we sat on the couch with her until the end.
Lala, the one who saved her, the one Miss Idaho loved best in all the world, held her as she took her last breaths.
Please don’t say everything happens for a reason. It doesn’t. We have proof that shit just happens. You don’t get over a loss — you just live with it, instead.
With Mom, Harriet, and a photobombing Clara.
But I found a dog on Sunday, a small, very young ten-pound Maltese mix. I’d dropped my wallet on the way out of the house and had to go back for it. (I have never dropped my wallet once. In my life. Anywhere.) When I got to the house, Theodosia was running past our gate. We’ve posted her info everywhere we can, and no one is calling.
Lala said that maybe Miss Idaho knew we’d need a tiny dog.
And again, you make me weep. She was a good dog. Rest in peace, Miss Idaho.
My heart goes out to you and Lala. So very sorry. Thank you for sharing Miss. Idaho with us. And on a side note: I hate it when people say things happen for a reason….wtf?
I’m so sorry for your loss but so glad you had her in your life. Xxxx
All the loves. Xo
Oh Miss Idaho, you and your adorable tongue will be so missed. I’m so glad you all had each other. She and Harriet (and Clemmy and Clara!) are some of the truest doggy pals I’ve ever known in real life or on the internets. Gah, pets are so worth all the love but damn it makes it so hard when they leave us. Biggest hugs to your whole family. I’m thinking of you all.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Ms I. Was so lucky to have found you both.
Actually my first thought (after “nooooooo”) was that “oh, THAT’S why Theodosia showed up.” Love to you both my dear heart.
What a wonderful piece about an awesome dog. I am so sad for you. Each of our animals has a special,place I our hearts and leaves a big gaping hole when they die.
Thank you for sharing a snipet of Miss Idaho’s life with all of us. Thank Lala for rescuing this little lady. I truly believe she sent this new pup to you both. She wanted to make sure you would both be ok. I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs to you both. RIP Miss Idaho
so many hugs. sweet miss idaho. thinking of y’all.
Oh, I am so very sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute to your sweet dog.
Hugs! So sorry about Miss Idaho.
So glad I got to hang with that beauty a few times. Your words are lovely. She was lucky to have Lala and you. And, obviously, you her.
Oh, I’ve been thinking about her, especially when you found Theodosia; wondering if Idaho was still around, and how they’d get along…so much love and hugs to you and Lala. She was a precious girl.
I think saying things happen for a reason is too simplistic; the folk who say that find comfort in it. I’ve not always been able to do so, or at the moment, anyway. Maybe later I feel like “hey, the hole in my heart from this loss isn’t killing me anymore” but that’s not at all the same thing.
Fly high, Miss Idaho, fly high!
I am so sorry for your loss. My husband and I lost our dog about a month ago to heart failure. It’s just…awful, and I’m sorry you and LaLa have to go through it.
Hugs and kisses.
Miss Idaho, if you could say hi to Horatio while you’re there. He love dogs!!
I am so very sorry. You don’t ever get over a loss of someone you’ve loved so heartily. It just becomes a little easier to live with over time. Thank you and Lala for loving this little one. My wish is that all dogs/cats have this. My heart is with you guys.
Teary in the ice cream shop. I don’t believe in reasons, but I am so glad Miss Idaho summoned another wee doggie for you.
While we love all our animals, some just dig into our hearts a little bit more and their loss is a little bit greater.
I’m so sorry Miss Idaho is gone. I’m going to miss seeing her and her tongue.
*hugs to you, Lala, and the rest of the menagerie at Casa de Animals.
I’m so sorry to hear that Miss Idaho has died, she brought so much into your lives and will be missed by all. Much love to you and Lala.
So very sorry for Lala and you (and the critters) – Miss Idaho had a personality that made us love her. And she was beautiful.
My deepest condolences, hugs to you both. It’s amazing what a big gap a tiny little dog can leave in your life. We had a little doxie whose tongue was similar, she died in Feb, and we still look for her. So sorry for your loss, and, not that Miss Idaho can be replaced, but nice that Theodosia showed up at such a fortuitous time.
My heart is breaking for you and Lala. Miss Idaho was loved by not only you and Lala, but all those who loved you too, from near and afar. Sending you all love.
*hugs* Sending love to you, Lala, and the menagerie. Miss Idaho will be missed.
I’m so sad for you and Lala. I thought the very same thing, that Miss Idaho found Theodosia to comfort you both before she had to leave. Take care.
I am gonna miss that little tongue and sparkly eyes. Sorry for your loss. She was well loved and loved well in return. Rest in peace little one.
Commenting for the first time in ages, and I feel terribly guilty that it took Miss Idaho’s passing to make me do so. I’m so sorry, though – I’ve always had sort of a thing for little dogs, and Miss Idaho was my favorite of all your pups. I agree, though, that Miss Idaho made sure, before she left, that Theodosia found you. Hugs to you and Lala.
Oh my God the tears, and I am not that much of a dog person… but I am a love person. That photo with your mom, et al, IS the bomb. Love & hugs to you & Lala. I am so sorry.
Ohhh…. So so sorry for your loss. 🙁 *HUGS*
I’ve been a reader at Yarn-a-Go-Go since 2003 (I’ve been at kitkatknit at both blogspot and WordPress since way back then) So you and Miss Idaho and go way back in my blog world. I will always remember Miss Idaho in her Cowgirl Hat. Hugs to you, Lala and the rest of the fur babies. And welcome Theodosia!
So sorry for you and LaLa. These tiny little things leave a very big hole in our hearts when they depart. Take good care and remember the good (I’m sure there are a lot of them) times.
So sorry to read this news … Miss Idaho was a lucky girl to have found you and Lala. I’m so glad you had the time together that you did and that you brought each other way more than 6 lbs of happiness and joy.
That is the sweetest obituary I’ve ever read. My heart goes out to you & Lala. It is never easy to lose those little angels who share their lives with us but we are so blessed that they do. Miss Idaho will be with you forever. And even though I never got to pet that darling head or look into those sweet eyes or have my butt bit…I for one won’t forget her xoxox
I’m so sorry for your loss. She sounds like a wonderful dog.
I’m so sorry, but happy for the years you had together.
Big hugs to you and Lala. Miss Idaho sounds like an amazing and irreplaceable dear, forever loved and missed. The only thing worse than losing our furry friends is never having them in our lives. You were blessed by an angel (rug challenges notwithstanding.)
Oh Rachael – I’m so very sorry. I haven’t been around much lately, but as a very long-tie reader, your menagerie sucked me right in, and you and Lala’s love for the gang is infectious. You loved Miss Idaho so well and she knew it. I’m sending love and light and peace, and scritches for the rest of the gang.
I have always had a soft spot in my heart for wee dogs and I’ve loved Miss Idaho from afar since I first met her on your blog. So sorry for your loss. Hugs and some big kitty purrs from Loki.
Such an epic little force that Miss Idaho! Chi-Chis make up for their little stature with such huge personalities. I am so happy that Theo walked into your lives to continue the dog energy flow. She can’t replace Miss I, but she can lessen the sting with her own force field.
Besos and hugs to you and LaLa, Rachael
I hurt for you and Lala as I know how it feels to lose a beloved pet. I find it ironic Miss Theodosia found you in Miss Idaho’s last days. She will help lighten your hearts.
So sorry for your loss, they surely leave a hole each one….she is at rest now…
I’m so very sorry for your loss! Miss Idaho sounds like one in a million and, while I know she can’t be replaced, I have a feeling that she would love knowing that another tiny dog will be the benefactor of the great love she had from both of you! Love and hugs to both of you on this hard day
I always smiled at her name. RIP funny girl.
Beautiful tribute. Smiles and tears for you and yours.
Gah. Why can’t they just live forever? They can be so much trouble, but worth it in every single way. I am so sorry that you all have to go through this – it is good that you have a bit of comfort in a new found love.
I have never thought it was fair that we only find unconditional love with such short-lived creatures. I am so sorry for your loss. Nothing can replace them, but finding a new love like Theodosia can distract us from the pain.
Dogs work in mysterious ways. So sorry about Miss Idaho, but she paved the way for your to love Theodosia as well. In her memory.
My Cliff the Mutt and JtheB will say hi at the bridge.
You’re making me cry
I truly know how you feel because my hubby and I lost our baby girl (a rescue) on December 15 and six days later, I lost my mom. December was a tough month but we have Cody ( who showed up on our doorstep Thanksgiving day two years ago), who, like your new found love, helped eased the pain of our loss. I personally believe that things are often meant to be, that those you watch over us daily know the exact moment when we need joy and love in our life. Rachel, you and Lala enjoy your new sweet love, she will bring you true joy every day of your life.
RIP Miss Idaho. No matter how long the good dogs live with us, it’s never quite enough. But we love them anyway.
Peace to you and Lala.
Sad for you both but smiling at the shining bright star that one wee dog was and always will be in your hearts I suspect. Rhys and Banon are fast asleep but sure they will do a wiggle and a wag in her honour as they career around in about an hour as we enjoy the dawn chorus and the river path together, Enjoy that rug but maybe not quite in the way Miss Idaho would have :0) Love D-W
I’m sorry for your loss. I hope that when you and Lala are ready, you can share some pictures of Theodosia with us (perhaps with the new rug!)
I’m so sorry. I know how you loved that little sweetie. And she loved you. the luckiest day in her life was that day Lala scooped her up and brought her home.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I still miss my dogs and cats that are gone. Thanks to Miss Idaho you have a new family member to occupy your hearts.
I was very sorry to hear about Miss Idaho. RIP little Sweetie. Hope that Dozy will be of some comfort to you botb. Hugs.
I am so sorry for your and Lala’s loss. And I am glad that you had each and every experience that made the love so deep and the loss so painful. Pain is often the cost of love; it is harsh, and it is beautiful.
So sorry to hear about your loss. She will be missed by all, her humans and her pet friends. But she will be in your hearts forever.
Sigh. *sniff* Miss Idaho is amazing.
She carried your love to your Mom (& LA-LA’s to her beloveds) & found the perfect small dog to fill her sweaters. Because she knows love is not finite and not limited to the physical plane.
And that an IKEA rug is not what is cracked up to be 🙂