My Valentino

My precious Valentino came into my life on July 7, 2007.  He pranced his way right into my heart.  And while the prancing slowed down over the years, he could still put on a show whenever he wanted to impress someone (usually another canine) with his little tail straight up in the air and his high-stepping trot.  I never would have imagined that he would be such an incredible companion to me for over sixteen years.  It wasn’t enough time.

I don’t know the story of his first few years of his life, other than the records that stated he was brought from Madera County to the Marin Human Society.  We never could figure out why anyone would have abandoned him.  He was amazing, right from the start.  I am convinced that we were meant to find each other. 

It took him a few months to find his voice, and for a while there, I thought he might never bark.  He never was yappy like some chihuahuas, but he had plenty of vocalizations to choose from when he wanted to express himself.

“Errand Girl for Rhythm” by Diana Krall was the only song he ever sang along with, although he would vocalize with me when I was warming up with scales, up until he lost his hearing.

He travelled with me to Sonora, CA where we stayed with a lovely family that included a small pack of dogs.  This was soon after his adoption, and he definitely learned some bad behavior from those goofy fur friends.  A young vizsla named Amber was staying at the house for a few days, and my little 7 lbs chihuahua was out-lapping her in the back yard as they ran in circles on the grass.

The home had pack of deer just outside the fenced yard and he was fascinated with them.  Tino was small enough to escape through the fence and joined the herd of 20+ deer as they ran around the extensive property.  It was terrifying for me, but he had the time of his life!  The only mark on his body from that adventure was a tiny cut on one of his back legs, which is a miracle; I guess the deer considered him more friend than foe.

He was a little athlete.  At my old apartment, he would run up and down five flights of stairs multiple times a day.  He was a very independent gentleman, and did not want any help up that endless staircase.  Even in the last months of his life, when I would bend down to pick him up toward the end of our walks, he would suddenly take off in front of me, wanting to do all the walking for himself.

In 2015, he travelled across the country to Pennsylvania on a plane with my Mom and me.  He was a brave angel, and even had his own seat on the way there thanks to a kind airline representative who wanted us to have the entire row of three seats to ourselves.  I like to think that he enjoyed that little adventure!

He survived hernia surgery in 2019 with flying colors.  The scar he returned home with was horrible, but within a couple of years, it had completely disappeared.  I wish my skin was that resilient!

He was feisty, that’s for sure.  And if anyone wanted to get too close to me while I was holding him, he was sure to let them know his displeasure.

In the last couple of years, he started to go deaf until his hearing was completely gone.  Once he wasn’t able to pinpoint exactly where I was with his ears, he started following me around.  If I had the audacity not to carry him up the stairs with me (he stopped trying to climb the stairs a few years back), he would stand at the bottom of the staircase and yell at me.

And while he was never very fond of being held for any significant amount of time, in the last few years he became a consummate lap dog; any time I started moving in the direction of the couch, he was right there, waiting to get comfy.

He was my constant companion, and I was lucky to be able to bring him to the office every day.    He was an excellent office mascot!

He had his choice of beds at the office, but for the last year or so, as his hearing was failing, he preferred to stand in the middle of the hallway so that he could keep track of everyone's comings and goings.  And when he finally wanted to settle in for a nap, it was rare that he actually made it into the bed, but seemed to prefer a half-in/half-out position. 

Looking back, I think there were less than 14 days over those sixteen years that I was separated from him for more than a few hours.

It’s very disconcerting to run up and down the stairs and not have to make sure to let my little man know that I will be right back.  I keep looking under the table in your bed for your little face.  And I keep expecting to see you when I turn around, waiting for me to pick you up onto my lap as soon as I sit down.

Mr. Valentino was my world for so very long, and I don’t know what I shall do without him.  I keep expecting him to be right at my side, only to have the heartbreaking realization that he won’t be there ever again.

Seven hours before his passing, I saw a rainbow on the drive home from the office, right as we were turning onto our street, and I like that think that it was a sign that his journey on this earth was coming to an end.

I take comfort that you no longer have any pain or discomfort, and your little body is no longer holding you back.

I feel so very privileged to have had this amazing little creature in my life for over sixteen years.  I could not have asked for anything more in a best friend.

I love you, Bubba, and I miss you so very much.  Say hello to Buddy for me, Baby.

Valentino

July 7, 2004 - February 2, 2024

Gifts for Tino

Valentino has quite a few sweaters that I have made for him, but they are almost ten years old at this point, and some of them are beginning to look their age.  I was hoping to make him a new one for Christmas, but never found the time (and I really was not looking forward to braving JoAnns or Michaels for a skein of yarn during the holiday season).  But since every day might as well be Christmas for a spoiled pup, a couple of weeks back I decided it was time to gift my little guy with some swanky new clothes.

Stashed away in a bin are the remnants of many, many old knitting projects.  Most are small bits that are not suitable for projects, or are made with less than stellar quality fibers, but I have a difficult time throwing it away because it seems like such a waste.  But then I have that bin full of scraps of yarn which makes me feel guilty for not doing anything with it . . .

Well, I finally came up with a use for some of it - sweaters for Valentino the Chihuahua!  A sweater for a seven pound dog does not take much yarn, and with a bit of finagling, those scraps can be put to good use.

I found this pattern on Ravelry and thought it looked like a good starting point.  Turns out, the directions are rather confusing, but I muddled through.

Once I started using up those scraps of yarn, I really did not want to stop.  I thought Tino would look quite handsome in stripes.  And two colors meant using up more leftovers.

For this version, I did away with the hood, since Tino is not terribly fond of wearing things on his head.  He will put up with the hood in rainy weather, but since a sweater will get super soggy when wet, I substituted a turtleneck.

Making a sweater just for him also allows me to customize it.  Most of what I find in the stores do not have an opening for his harness/leash.  The real deal breaker, though, is when the underside of the sweater is as long as the top, or it does not fit snug through the belly.  I am not dressing my dog to be a cute prop - he gets cold in the winter when he goes out for a walk and needs something that he will not soil the first time he lifts his leg (marking the tree is fine, marking his own clothing, not so much!).  

And he certainly does enjoy the attention he receives while looking super smart in his custom made clothing.  To be honest, the prancing gets out of control when a stranger starts complimenting him!

What a showoff!

Sweaters:  Made by me, "Hoodie Dog Coat"

When Fame Becomes Problematic

I frequently share Peter’s online writing with Mr. Valentino – especially when the antics of Freddy and Willy are mentioned.  One of the main reasons is his curiosity – I feel I must explain why I am laughing hysterically at the computer screen.  (Our pets really must think we are crazy!)

I will freely admit that when I saw his adorable little face over on Male Pattern Boldness, I was a very proud mamma.  And I immediately let him know of his online fame.

The downside to his celebrity is the attitude.

He has always been a prancer - it is generally the first thing people notice - but in the last few days, his walk has become a full-on strut.  This means that our strolls take almost twice as long.  Strutting is not a speedy way to get around!  

"But mom . . . I want to wear my tux . . . and where are my cufflinks?"

And the demands are becoming a little unreasonable.  Instead of his warm and comfy sweaters, he demands to wear his tuxedo.

A secret agent must always be alert to danger.

Yes . . . I made my Chihuahua a tuxedo.  As a bit of explanation, he was James Bond (aka “OODoggie”) for Halloween one year.  And yes, he adores being fussed over, and a costume is a sure-fire way to accomplish this.

“Now bring me that martini – shaken, not stirred.”

I had to sit him down today and explain that some puppies live in truly cold climates and do not have the daily opportunity to check their pee-mail, so he needs to park the attitude and wear the sweater.  

He is sending his love to Freddy and Willy and hopes that they will soon have the opportunity to frolic outside (with or without their weather-appropriate jackets).

Presenting Mr. Valentino

My little guy has been a bit miffed that he has not had the opportunity to make your acquaintance, and he is right, an introduction is long overdue.  

"Hello, my name is Valentino.  Pleased to meet you."

Valentino came into my life just over four years ago, and I cannot imagine it without him.  

After a few trips to the Marin County Humane Society looking for a canine companion, there he was, looking at me with those big brown eyes through the glass. 

He is most happy resting in a patch of sunlight while having his tummy rubbed. 

For those days when the sun is hiding behind a cloud or the weather turns a bit chilly, he slips into one of his favorite sweaters and prances proudly down the avenue.

And while I am the first to admit that I have quite a few clothes, you should see Tino’s wardrobe.  

He has sweaters to keep him warm on cold evenings, polo shirts for a slight chill, raincoats to keep him dry, and costumes to keep him cute.

Valentino as Happy the Dwarf, Halloween 2008

One of my favorite creative pastimes is knitting with my little dude snuggled up next to me.  However, it can take quite a bit of time to complete an adult sized sweater and I sometimes get impatient with the process, yet it takes no time at all to make the pupster a sweater.  And since making his acquaintance, I have made my Tino quite a few doggie sweaters.

Some of those sweaters are currently entered in the Pet Challenge over at instructables.com.  (Voting ends tomorrow at midnight!)  If you are not already familiar with the site, you should stop on by.  There is truly something for everyone, from cuisine to crafting.  

And remember we can always learn from our canine friends - it is extremely important to take some time out to relax and enjoy the good life!

Say goodnight, Tino