R.I.P. GUIDO-PANINI

“But just for now, I need to mourn,
Our hearts- they need to mend.
Though some may say, “It’s just a pet.”
We know we’ve lost our friend
Companion pal, and confidante
A friend we won’t forget
You’ll live for always in our hearts
Our sweet forever pet.” – Unknown

Thirteen years ago our friend Danny gave us an addition to our family; the sweetest Pug- just 10 weeks old. Admittedly, I wasn’t sure if I wanted the responsibility of a dog and even asked for a day to think about it. A day? I couldn’t stop thinking about that little bundle as soon as he left the house. He had already stolen my heart! A few hours later, I was “all in” – committed to be the mother of a fur baby. I named him Guido-Panini. “GP” (named by Alanna Chasin) was well-known in Italy. Yes, he was! My Italian friends got the biggest kick out of his name. The first vacation to Italy after taking ownership of GP, I left behind a shirt for Guido to wear so he would have my scent close to him. Someone suggested it. Upon returning home, I walked over took Guido out of his crate and his eyes said, “Mom, you’re back!” He crawled into my arms, snuggled in and kissed me. That was the most beautiful feeling in the world! Guido-Panini was such a well behaved dog. On our fall morning walks, I would get the biggest kick out of watching GP pick up the largest pine cone and bring it home. Sometimes it would drop out of his mouth; however he was determined to get it home. It was an accomplishment to get a tennis ball or a pine cone home and drop it on the chair in the patio. Guido never barked unless he was playing with me; however he would bark if he sensed that the character of someone was questionable. He was so smart! A trainer said that GP would never learn the “down” command after turning 5 or 6 years old. It was too submissive. Well, 45 minutes later and the help of zucchini, GP’s Aunt Jillian Boyd trained him. #WonderDog    Friends who said they feared dogs or were “allergic” still had a desire to pet Guido and their fears or allergies disappeared. Yes, he was that irresistible!

 

 

On March 16, 2016 @1pm, Guido-Panini walked toward the Rainbow Bridge. He had overcome so many adversities in the past few years. We thought we were going to lose “GP” when he was hospitalized for 6 days mid-February. When we visited him in the hospital, he would try to climb into my arms, position himself for me to carry him and then push against me as if saying, “Come on Mom, let’s get out of here.” After careful research and a conversation with our vet, we wanted to give one last gift to Guido: to make the transition at home. I spoke with a loving group of vets who help pets transition at home. An interesting thing happened that morning: GP decided that he could make this transition without assistance. Our #WonderDog started to move toward the Rainbow Bridge on his own.  I was told what signs to look for that would tell me he was ready; however we had scheduled a time with this vet.  GP looked at me and his eyes said, “Don’t worry, I know what to do. We don’t need any drugs. I can go naturally.”  I laid on the floor with GP all morning showering him with love and comfort. Opened the windows so he could see the trees.  In one moment, I couldn’t help but think about the animals who pass alone or live in the wild without a loved one by their side. As the moment came, I was right by his side, telling him how much I loved him as he drew his last breaths. Before the car came to take him, I cleaned him and burned sage around him in preparation for his journey.

We are eternally grateful to have been the chosen parents for this special fur baby. We have experienced profound happiness and now we must experience profound sadness. Arrivederci carissimo Guido-Panini. Our hearts will always wear the paw prints left by you.♥

One Last Note:

In the mornings, I had this ritual of petting Guido all over this body; giving him a belly rub and touching his heart. I wanted him to know how much he was loved every day.  He would place his paw in my hand and press against it. It was his way of telling me that he loved me too. One morning I snapped this photo which represents our ever-present connection. ♥ 

Rest In Peace Nora Ephron (1941-2012)

Nora Ephron wrote some of my favorite movies. The Deli scene in, “When Harry Met Sally. “I’ll have what she’s having.” Genius!! She was the voice of women in a male dominated world of writer/directors and producers. Nora Ephron’s writing in Julie and Julia made me fall love with Julia Childs. Of course it had two of my favorite actors, Meryl Streep and Stanley Tucci. I remember seeing one of my best friends in a play on Broadway that was written by Nora Ephron, Imaginary Friends. I thought she was quite clever. I have yet to read her book: I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Thoughts About Being A Woman. I can only imagine the book is as clever as her other body of work. Oh it breaks my heart that another incredible talent has transitioned from this physical plane. There must be some amazing stage on the other side. Thank you Nora for speaking from a woman’s perspective. Your creativity will be sorely missed.

Lost Time..

It’s been 4 months since I’ve written a freakin’ blog. What have I done in 4 months? I can’t even recall.
What I do know is here I am writing about another death. They say things happen in 3’s. Basta! (Enough)

A dear friend died on Monday. He was an amazing voice over artist; who’s voice could be heard in more than 5,000 movie trailers. That’s a lot of films. His wife and daughters have lost this wonderful man too soon. It’s clear how many hearts he touched with his wit, generous heart and charm. I am one of the many lives he touched. I’m feel lucky to have known him.
His wife has as big of a heart as her husband. She too is an amazing talent; a fantastic singer. I pray that she will be able to find comfort in the love and memories they created together over the years. The movie trailers will never sound the same again to me.

A day later, I hear that another friend passed away. She had been fighting colon cancer for two years but clearly the fight became too much. She was too young to die from a type of cancer that usually invades older people. Needless to say my heart is heavy.

The world feels a little emptier now with these two souls leaving the earth. I know they will continue to shine their light down on all who knew and loved them. Restate in pace “D” and “K”. Mi mancherete tanto.