Our babies...Titan & Sadie

Sunday, November 29, 2015

Wow! Where do I start? How do I sum up 16 years? My heart breaks having to write this post, but I wanted to have a tribute to our two dogs, Titan and Sadie; our mischievous, adorable, loving, wonderful, sweet (most of the time) min-pins. 

They brought us SO much love, joy, crazy adventures and mishaps that our lives just won't be the same without them. I thought the tears were done, but, of course, writing about them and bringing up all these pictures of them brings it all back and I can't help it. 

In our home on Monday, November 30th, 2015 I was able to be with them and hold them in my arms as they passed. RIP little buddies! Or not! Have fun, run around, cause a little havoc, dig some holes, chew some things and eat all the treats you want!

I've tried to show photos that truly represent them and their unique personalities. It was hard to pick just a few, so you're getting LOTS and LOTS of photos of our dogs from their "good ole' days", their days as they grew older and their final days in Ottawa at our home in Carp. Some photos were pre-digital age, so they're just photos of photos and not the greatest quality, but still great. Also there are 3 videos at the end, which hopefully you can open.

We are so thankful to have had them in our lives. It was a very spoiled life they lead. 

In case you don't know their story with us, it began with Titan. He was born October 2, 1999. One day, while Craig was fishing I gave him a call and said "I am going to Vancouver to get a dog"! I had done some research on min-pins (Miniature Pinschers) and they seemed like a good mix for Craig and I. Craig wanted a lively dog that would play and one that he wouldn't be embarrassed to walk down the street with (like a fluffy poodle or something). I wanted a dog that would be cute, cuddly and a lap dog. As it turned out, we got a bit more than either of us bargained for, but both dogs fulfilled everything and more that Craig and I wanted. 

Comox 2000 - with Titan before Sadie came along

My boy Titan - Comox, 2000 - He was always on the lookout

Titan was living with a family in Vancouver who bred rottweilers and their owner was moving out of country and could not take the, then, 6 month old "Taco" with him. So, I called Craig up while he was fishing (much to his shock) and said I wanted to go over right away on the ferry from Vancouver Island to Vancouver to get this dog I read about in the newspaper! Not exactly the best way to buy a dog! However, my VERY understanding and kind husband said "ok" and off I went with my friend Nadine to go meet our new dog. I can't recall too much detail because it was way back in 2000, but I do remember it was a very short meeting with the previous owner, I paid him cash for the dog and then returned home via the ferry with my new buddy. He was a skinny little guy and a bit nervous, but also quite adaptable. On the way home in the car he crawled up behind Nadine's neck and the headrest and watched the world go by from his comfy perch. We renamed him because with the name "Taco" and those huge ears, everyone thought he was a chihuahua. We needed to name him something tough because he thought he was a rottweiler, but in actuality he was THE biggest softy ever. So we named him Titan after the Titanic (the ship they thought was so tough, but wasn't). He was super playful back then, naughty, curious and didn't like being left alone one bit. That never did change. He absolutely LOVED to jump, go for walks (especially in the forest), chase after squirrels, get chased by Sadie, and be the lookout at the window for us. He loved to be pet and if you stopped before he was ready, he'd give you an instant nudge with his paw to keep going. He absolutely used to love snuggling with us. If we were being lazy, lying on the couch, he was right there, all curled up and happy with us. He didn't especially like the cold (nor Sadie), but he loved snow and playing in it.

Our snuggly dogs... my favorite moments with them were snuggling on the couch in a blanket

Sadie, was born in December 29, 1999. At 1 year old, she was returned to the breeder in Parksville, BC. She had been living with a single lady in Victoria who became a single Mom and could no longer handle Sadie (Sable) because she was neither house trained nor socialized. So, after about 6 months with Titan, we decided he needed a playmate. I'm not sure who's idea that was. Unfortunately it didn't exactly turn out that way, but he did have a bratty little sister with him for the rest of his life. Craig and I drove from Comox to Parksville to meet her at the breeders. She was downright scary! She had the nastiest bark, but it was just fear, not aggression. She and Craig though, bonded almost immediately and she was instantly "his" as Titan became "mine".

2000-2005

You're looking pretty relaxed up there boy!

Hmmm big bone...thank you Neumann's!

They used to play together!

Sadie loved her big brother... really!

I used to love Sadie's floppy ears... I'm not sure when they started standing up.

1st lobster encounter - Greenwood

Warming themselves by the heat vent - Greenwood

Greenwood - Sweaters knit with love by Aunt Judy (thank you Auntie Judy... and Uncle Mark too!)

Aunt Judy about to get a wet kiss from Sadie

beautiful girl

Taking a break from digging to China...almost there!

back at it....while Titan contemplates jumping over the fence.

Hiking in B.C.

More hiking in B.C.

More hiking in B.C.... guess he was tired?

Wood carving in B.C.

Titan was VERY interested in the Whiskey Jack birds at Mt. Washington, B.C.

Titan enjoying the view - camping in B.C. (Ralph River)

Ahhh....

My limber boy up on the furniture

Another ahhhh.....

Cute butt boy!

Why do we have him up on the table? To take a picture of our handsome boy

I think he fell down from there a couple of times...we should have moved the couch closer!

Cute!

Our pampered camping dogs!

You're a weird little girl Sadie...sleeping on a garbage bag!

I think ice cream was their favorite! Look at all the hair you had Daddy!

Sadie's trainer along with tiny little Magda and Amber

Their professional photo shoot

2006 
 (1st digital photos we have)

Is that MY slipper Titan? Don't you try to look so innocent either Sadie!

How on earth did we get them to stay still for this photo?

Ahhh...you're too cute "Tadie"

Sleepy close-up

Craig was always getting them to climb up on things!

2007

Sunning in the backyard in Barrhaven

Smile for your close-up Sadie! No grey hair yet. This was always Sadie, curious and wide-eyed!

Comfy buddy? Oh ya!

10 more Jake!

Chillin' in the shade... she always knew to go to the shade, Titan,  not so much

2008

He loved being able to see over the fence because of the huge snowbanks - 2008

"I can live with wearing this Christmas sweater if you give me a treat"

"Get this sweater off me"!

"Hmmmm..... milk shake"!

2009

Still on the look out!

2010

What kind of cow is this??? I love his pose here!

On the beach in Tofino!

Crazy storm watching in Tofino for Valentine's Day getaway!

The dogs loved snuggling with their Grampa too! Sadly, Comox was the last place they could still jump up on the couch themselves and after the move to Ottawa, Titan no longer liked to snuggle on the couch. A sad, sad day for me because I loved it.

"Look boy, go get it"! Craig liked getting the dogs in the water. Titan liked it way more than Sadie!

No "Daddy" don't go to Afghanistan! Take me with you!

Chewing a bone... Sadie's favorite thing probably!

Hammock time... who's more comfy do you think? These dogs weren't spoiled AT all! lol

2011

See, they really did love each other!

She loved the sun!

Titan too!

Sadie loved sticking her head into boxes, containers, anywhere food was!

2012

Forever curious and Sadie always close to her Daddy.

Treat time for them and their Comox buddies Abby (white) and Teyla (grey).

I never tire of the pampered,sleeping puppy pictures

2013

What? It's comfy!

Good a place as any to take a nap!

Always up for a nap with her Daddy

Mr. Independent napping on his own

She didn't put herself in that blanket!

Snoozing in the car on trip from Comox to Ottawa for Russian language training

2014

Just in case Daddy needed help bbq'ing

Christmas 2014 with the family - who knew it would be the dogs last Christmas....:( 

Sadie liked opening her own gifts...

Or maybe just destroying the paper?

A rare occasion where they still napped together

 2015

Yes, that's Craig's travel pillow...there's nothing we wouldn't do for your comfort Sadie

She was having trouble standing... her posture says it all.

Our sweetheart

I had a difficult time getting a picture of him with his head up.... it was always down at the end of his days... he looks so sad. :(

My boy, Titan

Titan obviously wasn't impressed. One last kiss for "Mommy", thank you Sadie. xo

Our little girl Sadie

That's Titan's butt under there...

Videos!
(courtesy of their Aunt Judy - thank you so much!) 

 In Greewood they loved to run around after each other on this path we made in the snow!

Sadie loved to dig, and dig, and...

 dig to China

Also, at fluffing the blankets, she was an expert!

I hope you enjoyed seeing these pictures and videos of Titan & Sadie's lives as much as we did...through tears and laughter.

We will always love you and miss you Titan & Sadie

xo