My Beloved Jeter Passed Away

February was a difficult month, and mostly into March; more to come on that another day. Sadly, one of our two rescue chihuahuas, Jeter, passed away. 

We had Jeter for just under eight years and guesstimated his age to be around ten or older. He was a ball of energy. He was a dog who was rescued from the Sato beaches in Puerto Rico and came with a lovely letter written by an older woman about her grandson recusing this little guy. I'll never forget his first week with us and his first time being delighted seeing snow. We brought him home on St. Patrick's day!

I didn't realize how much I loved Jeter's energy and unconditional love until his final days. In reflection on our short time together, he was the reason we did so many larger projects around our home and even small changes like a privacy film on the windows in our living room (see image below) that we decided to keep up. 

Jeter was the catalyst for redoing our backyard and adding a large fence. His digging under the fence is the reason I have eight large vegetable garden beds, too. Thank you Jeter! Chris would've never given me so many garden beds otherwise.

His last night was spent with us on Valentine's day. We had our annual family fondue. He wasn't eating or drinking much, so we offered him a lick of chocolate fondue before bed. He turned his nose up at bacon earlier in the day, but I was happy to see him take a small last taste of a forbidden food. I will never forget that night; I slept not a wink, up with him all night, and the next morning I knew it was time.

I have spent the last two months thinking about all I could've done extra to give him more time, but I know I did everything I could and that he wouldn't be with me forever. Chris reminds me that I have spent years making delicious homemade dog food for him, taking him for care, and everything under the sun to improve his life and our lives with him in it. It was a lot of work, and I'd do it all over again to bring him back.

Jeter, you are greatly missed. I will desperately look for you when I come to the rainbow bridge.

The following days were filled with tremendous sadness. Ruby snuggled in his favorite spot for a time. They had a moment, in the middle of the night and touched noses in the glow of the nightlight while I sat on the ground with him cozy in blankets and his bed.

Ruby never adored Jeter, we had her for two years prior on her own, but I know she enjoyed his company some of the time. In that midnight moment, I am glad they made a connection. Ruby would've never been eye to eye with him in daily life. 

She's been doing fine since; albeit I think she has shown a bit of mourning and loneliness. While he drove her nuts, maybe she came to enjoy it (sometimes). I am thankful Jeter passed before Ruby, as he would be devastated being without her. He loved her so very much. 

And on we go, just me and Ruby now on our now much calmer and slower walks.