My Sakura: August 2023

12 years have flown by without a deep dive into grief. These stories helped me overcome the loss of my mother - the first real impactful passing. Since then, there have been many adventures and several other passings - my father, their dog and now, one of the hardest since - my beloved Chico.

I wasn't supposed to have any pets - I would go to the SPCA to get my fix and give a little love to the babies waiting for their forever home. This day, I saw 2 dogs in a cage - a medium size mutt and a wee little 4.5 lb tan chihuahua with a nonchalant attitude. For purposes of curiosity, I asked if I could hold him.

In the meet and greet room he was placed in my arms and he acted like he wasn't impressed. He had a shaved part of his leg from being dropped off with a broken leg after biting someone. Since coming to know him, I believe he was in the wrong home that aggravated him until he couldn't take it any longer. I was advised he wasn't good with children. He proved that he was the sweetest with the youngest humans. Chico continued to act like he didn't care one way or another and thanks for the hugs.

My rental didn't allow pets but there was something about this little one that he HAD to become part of my family. I called my dad and BEGGED, pulling out all the daughter mannerisms so he could act as my landlord and I could use his address to adopt this dog. Surprisingly, he acquiesced after much pleading.

On Oct. 10, 2008 Chico officially became part of our family.

First on the agenda was to change his name. In the age of Taco Bell's campaign, I didn't think it was really cool to have a boy chihuahua named Chico. Really?!? But he was not having any part of a name change. This was my first introduction into his stubbornness and strength of mind which I grew to adore.

He loved his stuffies and would methodically pull out the stuffing, throw it all over the house and keep the carcass in his bed. He received a pink bear that was slightly bigger than him. This became Humpy Bear when 8:00 at night, every night, he would have some love time with humpy bear without fail. In one of the house moves, humpy bear disappeared.

Chico moved with me 8 times, always finding his spot. I believe his favorite space was in New Kent when he got his own room. He shared it with a couple dressers and a make-up table but in essence it was his room. This was also the space where he got a last goodbye when Uncle JJ came for a visit after passing and after peeking in our room, went next door to say bye to Chico.

Chico was the best big brother. He introduced Lilith to the comfy couch and shared his clothes (more on that later) but was not happy when Lilith took his beloved squirrel. They loved playing dress up and going visiting during her short life.

Chico shared the same love to Idgie when she came into our lives.

And was a great big brother to Basquiat and to Zen.

When Pops passed, Poppy became part of our pack and Chico had no problem including him as they had been pals for quite some time. Mom had gotten Poppy right before Chico came into our lives when she was first diagnosed with breast cancer. Poppy was with us until 2018.

As long as anyone didn't mess with his bed, his food or his space he was happy to show the new kids the ropes. In the last year of his life, he was spoon fed for his meals and Basquiat and Idgie happily waited for him to finish so they could lick his bowl. Sometimes he didn't feel like eating so they got a bonus meal on those nights.

Speaking of dinner time, 5:00 was the magic hour. Starting at 3:00, Zen would start the charades of letting the others know it was almost time to eat. Starting at 4:00 and sometimes earlier, Chico would make his rounds circling the first floor until time to eat. Unfortunately, Zen would wait in hiding and swat his legs as he passed by and we would hear a scramble of nails on the floor as Chico regained his footing.

Until Chico got too chunky for his clothes, he had a great wardrobe. He was particular to what he would wear, standing still and refusing to move if an outfit wasn't to his liking. He had his own bag to carry changes of outfits so he would always be prepared.

Chico was always up for adventures. He would ride in my messenger bag for bike rides at the oceanfront. Approaching hurricanes begged for beach time so he and Poppy could play with the foam the waves created. He would bury down into my jacket when the obligatory first snow walk commenced. He saved me from many snakes during hikes at First Landing State Park.

His adventurous spirit also got him in trouble - he was infamous for stealing food if left in the vehicle. Whether it was steak or schwarma, he was an opportunist. Once when Drake cleaned his room, he came across the nose of a pig that topped a pot pie I had made. Chico had stolen it during dinner one night. Luckily it preserved well and didn't mold because it was found a year after that specific dinner. His bed was the lair for stolen items and we never knew what would be found there.