Tiramisu came into my life not as we planned as humans but by her picking me to become my service dog partner/handler.
It was back in 2006 that Tiramisu decided that I was the one she would forum a lasting lifelong partnership. I was dealing with accepting being disabled,& in no way did I think 5 lbs., daschund could answer my needs. Boy,was I found to be wrong,which within the first three months of being together I took a fall with no one home. I at the time lived on farmland,my own refusal to accept my limitations found me in the pasture,staring at the sky,my service dog barking to alert,no one there to hear either of us. At that point Tiramisutook an assessment of the situation,running off leaving me alone,my thought was guess I am in a load of trouble. Several minutes passed when I heard my neighbor calling out my name,they informed me that my girl ran over to them frantically trying to get them to follow her,they said the lightbulb came on & they knew she was my service dog,so long story short I had a partner,best friend,for the 15 years of her life. No one could have ever asked for a better first service dog.
Tiramisu taught me to never judge the size of a dog,but to look deeper to the soul& grit inside of them. To me she was worth more than diamonds or any amount of money.
Tiramisu was a true charmer,loved every one,adults,kids,females,men, other dogs,cats,birds,fish,and farm animals. Through out the years she made so many people her “family” because whether we were at Disney World or church if you were in that group then she kept an eye out for you. All the while never forgetting her job to watch my condition.
The day came when I realized she needed to retire,but that just gave her a new job for near two years she became the mentor to my new service dog in training. Tiramisu made sure that Gino’s Cockapoo,learned who was the teacher,she taught him things that she did, through it all they became besties.
Tiramisu had a best cat sister that she meet the first day I meet my future wife.Tootsie& Tiramisu got on like they knew each other all their lives,it was love at first sight,just like I felt about my wife.
Sadly our family lost her cat sister Tootsie the end of 2020,we realized how really old they both were as they shared the same birthday year. My girl was slowing down,but she still was bright,alert, and with that doxie determination. Tiramisu wanted a job& she found it being ” the secretary” for her Auntie,as we had relocated to be near my younger sister. Her eyes would brighten,her step had spunk because when my sister would say I need my secretary it meant that Tiramisu would go and watch her do paperwork. They became an adorable sight to watch.
The last week of Tiramisu’s time with us we saw she was getting ready for that trip back home. She never gave up til that last night being in the middle of all the action,her cousin yorkie Pixie and her became like glue. The sister cats Willow& Mazekeen wouldn’t leave the room she was in,and Gino respectful as always have her top dog position.
During the early morning hours of the 18th, Tiramisu woke us up,she wanted to go outside,she started to become ill,in my heart I knew the time had come to let her loving soul be free. I made my girl as comfortable as possible,my wife and I let her know how loved she was,and put her in her bed with her blanket.
We all went to sleep, I prayed to God to please let her sleep,and peacefully take her over the rainbow bridge.
Though my heart was broken,my prayers were answered my Tiramisu was finally at peace. My faith tells me we will meet again someday in a place where there is no pain or sorrow,a place where we can walk free and be together with all we loved in our earthly lives.
Fly free Tiramisu,keep smiling and wagging your tail,as you look down on all of those who’s lives you touched on Earth. Save us a place where we all can play again.
Love is all that matters.