This post has been hard for me to face. Not only do I need to update the blog, timeline wise, but we've recently faced a pretty earth rumbling shift over here at the Boswell House.
If you follow me on Facebook, it's not new news, just yesterday we had to say goodbye to our little Fiona.
That was her proper name, Fiona. But we always called her Fifi, or Weefs, or Beefs, Beef-its and/or Weef-its. "Little Weirdo" was another of our favorites.
Whatever we called her, she was one hell of a dog.
Fifi was the sweetest most loving little critter one could ever come across. She was our little puffball, the small fry alongside our other, larger dogs. When guests would come over, we always loved how the largest male friends of ours always favored our smallest poofy dog.
Fifi had a lot of friends, and admirers. Kids absolutely adored her, which was funny because she wasn't the biggest fan of children. She was always very polite to kids, but they did freak her out a little. I remember once when we had a baby shower here, my friend brought her 3 year old daughter and that young lady was glued to Fifi. She'd sit right next to Fifi and stroke her neck, constantly, with both hands. Fifi just kept looking at us "...Is it safe? Is this okay?" with her giant eyeballs both uncomfortable and accepting of her fate that evening.
We never knew what she was exactly, and on her paperwork that last trip to the vet I found myself actually writing "Mini Heeler." Legend has it, Fifi's mother was a full on ranch-living heeler. She came home knocked up and gave birth to a little clan of weirdos like Fifi.
I didn't know Fifi when she was a little puppy, but Dylan tells me she was so small that he used to carry her around in his shirt pocket. I am positive there had never been a more adorable little creature in existence before she was there, cruising along in that shirt pocket.
I've found myself through the years making the joke that I wasn't these dog's first mother, that I'm their step mom. It's true, Dylan was with his ex when all of these dogs were adopted. He pointed out to me though, that his ex had known Fifi for 3 years, but I was Fifi's mom for 9. I was her mom. I really did, and do, love her and the rest of this brood just like a mother would.
Just a few days ago, I was out back with all 3 of the dogs, and I gave everyone a good brushing. Fifi loved being groomed, it was soothing and she was getting not only pets but your undivided attention. Fifi rolled onto her back and I just brushed her belly softly for a while. Her little eyes were closed, blissfully, and she had that content little doggy smile on her lips. When Fifi was really into a belly rub, she'd do this charming little thing where she'd hang onto your hand with her front paws. A sweet little "thank you" hug.
There's not enough time or space on blogger to really dig into the biography of Fifi. Although, I do think she's 100% worthy of such a feat. I want to recall more stories and share all of the good times, all of the sweet adorable little things she did that filled our lives with joy. It's just breaking my heart to try to recount.
I actually reverted back to my memorial post when we lost our cat Wiener all those years ago, and at the end of it, I said some things I wanted to remember him by. I like that idea, so here's what I'm going to remember most about Fifi.
I want to remember her sleeping at the foot of the bed. I want to remember that hilarious sound she'd make when playful and excited, I even want to remember her little "The Critic" hack she had for so many years. I will always adore the way one of her ears remained floppy while the other stood up. I will always adore how soft she was, like a little Chinchilla, and that poofy, poofy tail. I even love the way her eyes were green robo-dog eyes in almost every photo I took of her. I'm also going to remember her out in the back yard sunbathing, she loved soaking up the rays.
I will forever miss the sound of her little paws going "ticka-ticka-ticka-ticka" across the floor. I just miss my Littlest Weefets, and that will last forever too.
I can't express enough gratitude for the kind words and genuine care Dylan and I have received from all of you. Fifi was a very special dog, and I know that anyone who had the joy of interacting with her will remember her. That means a great deal to me.
I can only hope she knew how much she brightened up our lives every single day.
We miss you so much, our little Fifi <3
