Kristi, my sincerest condolences. It has been 4 years and 3 months since my husband died. I use instagram pugs and dogs in general to soothe my soul. I intend to get my own pugs sometime this year. Your pictures are awesome! Your bestie Dezi looks like a great snuggler. When I was reading this post, I almost thought I was reading someone else’s writing. They have two pugs now, her soul dog died just over a year ago. But she has been having the same conversations about social media, instagram and trying to get people who follow to come to Substack. She is called Grumble Farm or gritty gracious. I think you would like her and her writing style.
Thank you, although I think people might be disappointed in my Instagram lol. I'm not big on socials these days. But I do still enjoy the occasional post!
I'm all too familiar with Instagram pet accounts, because my dog Rudy has one! He has 8000 followers, while my personal account has 500. I used to post every day for about three years, but then became really burned out. I still have the account, but now only post on my personal one. Luckily, some of our most loyal followers followed.
Dezi is a gorgeous dog! Is she part hound by any chance? Her coloring kind of makes her look like she's part beagle. Your photo shoot pics are absolutely beautiful. They turned out really well.
Finally, I'm sorry to hear about your son. Sending condolences.
I don't know what she's mixed with except obviously Shepherd. I think there's got to be some Husky in her too. Aside from that, it's anyone's guess! In the province where I live (Alberta) all the rescue mutts are called "Alberta Specials" lol.
I have so many photos of dogs that are not mine from everywhere in the world. They are my catnip and while I glaze over a lot of Facebook content, if there's a dog, I'm all in.
I had your post open the other night when we lost power (high winds, one last blast of blizzard). I could still read through the post despite having no internet. However, the images were all described. I'd never seen that before--like closed captioning. It was all left until the imagination until now and the descriptions were a little lost in translation! Now I have the Mojo and Dezi visuals. What's that wonderful saying, "The only fault of dogs is that they don't live long enough?"
You are so right....dogs help us experience even the tiniest moments of joy. Humans can learn so much from them. Until my later years I always had dogs. Just sitting here writing this I am conjuring up images of each of them and every thought is one of joy, fun, love.
Those are great photos, but what really made the story was your vulnerability and your willingness to share why the dog means so much to you. Nice work.
Thank you for saying that Tom. If we can't be vulnerable, what's the point, right? I think grief is the most universal human affliction that exists. Everyone can relate on some level. I'm just lucky to have a canine companion who puts up with my highs and lows 😊
I will let others speak to the loveliness of this post. But Krisit, my bud, I will not let this one go. I'ma gonna dog you about this line:
"For old people (me), the daily desire to make my dog’s Instagram more appealing forced me to learn. It was like continuing ed for a while!"
You know full well I'm not going to let an ageist comment about your much-younger, gorgeous, vibrant self slip by. Don't let me catch you calling yourself old again, my friend, or I shall march up to Canada and strike you repeatedly with a wet vacuum cleaner bag full of dog hair.
I am well aware that the emotional demands of your life have likely left you feeling old. I can relate; there were days from the past nearly two years that I felt aged. But we are not. We are what we say we are. Words matter. YOU matter.
YOU matter to your readers. I stand with all of us to get in the face of calling ourselves old before our time. When is our time? Hell. When we die. THEN we are freaking old.
I celebrate you and your doggo, and I celebrate you and your memories and I celebrate your choice to live in the face of terrible grief. I do not support or celebrate anything which could possibly rob you of so many good years of writing material your readers need by coming after yourself for what you are not. You are not old. You are seasoned. Wiser. Growing. Hell, Kristi, you haven't even started your Goddess years.
I should have known you'd call me out for that!! 😁 But you know me well enough to know I HAD to slip in that tongue-in-cheek comment. I can self-deprecate with the best of them!!
Thanks (as usual) for such lovely and meaningful words Julia ❤️
I don't have my own dog yet, but I'm hoping that will change one day in the not so far away future. I absolutely LOVE dogs. Their love is unconditional and they're always happy to be with you. ❤️ Great post! Give Dezi a hug for me. :)
First off I am so, so sorry for your loss. Secondly, photos in the comments would be great. People love their pets and we're always game to share them, so I think it would be a good idea and would definitely prompt more commenting!
Sweet photos of a very sweet dog. You have a lot of grief to bear, Kristi, and you will bear it for your whole life. I am sure your dog helps soften the blow in a way. Any dog would.
My hubs when I met him was living at his father's with a dog named Shelby. It had been 8 years since I had a pet (a cat named Olli who passed away from a long illness and broke my heart)-- if not for meeting Shelby and letting her into my heart I would not have gotten my next kitty my Hope who lights up my life and has led me to also get Chino another kitty and also to meet miss Bruce, my brother in laws pup who also stole my heart. ❤️ dogs are awesome. I'll never forget it.
I love this so much!!! Love that a dog inspired you to get more pets. It's hard thinking about getting new ones after losing other ones and going through the heartbreak.
I am anticipating the next heartbreak unfortunately now as Hope is sick and it's a struggle. But I'm glad my heart is always going to be open now to more pets as I know Hope within just her name saved me and all thanks to Shelby. ❤️ the doggie who was a rescue herself.
Yep! Exactly. Unfortunately our pets will not outlive us... I just wish they would! So I'd never have to say goodbye. And as I say this I want to say I'm sorry for your loss. That cannot be easy whatsoever and I commend you on writing about it and not just writing about it-- but in a beautiful and open and honest manner.
I truly believe in this. I lost my mother 4 years ago on Jan 19th and I started really writing again after that. It's cathartic in so many ways and enlightening too. I've even started getting more in touch with my shadow now because of it and am learning more about me. Therapeutic is the best word I can think of for it. ❤️
So the lady researching and writing a business plan to start her own dog treat business says this question is a no-brainer.
My current pup is the only one we've ever gotten from a breeder, and incidentally, the only puppy we've ever had. ALL of our other dogs were rescued seniors and my heart overflows with how much love they gave us and how much we miss them.
I had no idea how much of a clown a pug could be, but holy dog biscuits, does she make us laugh!
I loooove that you have been a senior dog rescuer! That's kind of a quiet dream of mine, to give old dogs their best golden years. It would be sad as hell but so rewarding ❤️
My brother, the amazing old soul he doesn't even know he is-- he does the same! He's had 2 older senior girl German shepherds now. I give him such credit for this! ❤️ it's so wonderful to as was said, gift the doggie some amazing golden years!
Kristi, my sincerest condolences. It has been 4 years and 3 months since my husband died. I use instagram pugs and dogs in general to soothe my soul. I intend to get my own pugs sometime this year. Your pictures are awesome! Your bestie Dezi looks like a great snuggler. When I was reading this post, I almost thought I was reading someone else’s writing. They have two pugs now, her soul dog died just over a year ago. But she has been having the same conversations about social media, instagram and trying to get people who follow to come to Substack. She is called Grumble Farm or gritty gracious. I think you would like her and her writing style.
Thank you Lisa, and my condolences to you as well ❤️😒
I recently found Grumble Farm here on Substack. Haven't had much opportunity to dig in yet but she looked interesting. I'll go find her on Instagram.
And thank you.
I sent her an email to find you on Substack. And a DM on instagram. It is one word Grumblefarm on instagram.
Thank you, although I think people might be disappointed in my Instagram lol. I'm not big on socials these days. But I do still enjoy the occasional post!
Dogs and cats are my therapy. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my pets. They get me. They listen to me like no else does.
Yup. I relate 100%
I'm all too familiar with Instagram pet accounts, because my dog Rudy has one! He has 8000 followers, while my personal account has 500. I used to post every day for about three years, but then became really burned out. I still have the account, but now only post on my personal one. Luckily, some of our most loyal followers followed.
Dezi is a gorgeous dog! Is she part hound by any chance? Her coloring kind of makes her look like she's part beagle. Your photo shoot pics are absolutely beautiful. They turned out really well.
Finally, I'm sorry to hear about your son. Sending condolences.
Thank you Barb!
I don't know what she's mixed with except obviously Shepherd. I think there's got to be some Husky in her too. Aside from that, it's anyone's guess! In the province where I live (Alberta) all the rescue mutts are called "Alberta Specials" lol.
Alberta Specials, I like it!
I have so many photos of dogs that are not mine from everywhere in the world. They are my catnip and while I glaze over a lot of Facebook content, if there's a dog, I'm all in.
I had your post open the other night when we lost power (high winds, one last blast of blizzard). I could still read through the post despite having no internet. However, the images were all described. I'd never seen that before--like closed captioning. It was all left until the imagination until now and the descriptions were a little lost in translation! Now I have the Mojo and Dezi visuals. What's that wonderful saying, "The only fault of dogs is that they don't live long enough?"
Yes. Long live dogs.
Jules! Thank you so much for digging up this old post! Sometimes I forget what if got in my vault here.
I'm so glad you like this post as much as I loved writing it. My dogs have always been my life and photo memories are so sacred.
Thanks again for bringing me back to this post 😊
You can establish a Substack archaeology day dedicated to an archive! Dogs are evergreen to me--it was a fun post. Thanks right back!
I just looped back to see what the date of the post was---January 23, 2024 is an old post? Ha. This is why I never survived on Twitter/X.
LOL It felt so much older to me!
You are so right....dogs help us experience even the tiniest moments of joy. Humans can learn so much from them. Until my later years I always had dogs. Just sitting here writing this I am conjuring up images of each of them and every thought is one of joy, fun, love.
Great post, Kristi.
ALL the feels! That beautiful boy. You and he, and then you and Dezi. My heart
😊😊 I feel the same way looking at young Curtis. He was way too cool for his own good 😁
Those are great photos, but what really made the story was your vulnerability and your willingness to share why the dog means so much to you. Nice work.
Thank you for saying that Tom. If we can't be vulnerable, what's the point, right? I think grief is the most universal human affliction that exists. Everyone can relate on some level. I'm just lucky to have a canine companion who puts up with my highs and lows 😊
Thank you Maureen ❤️
Thank you for this post. It’s heartbreaking to hear about your loss, and at the same time so fantastic to see that photo shoot. Now I want another dog
You should definitely get another dog. Get ALL the dogs!
I will let others speak to the loveliness of this post. But Krisit, my bud, I will not let this one go. I'ma gonna dog you about this line:
"For old people (me), the daily desire to make my dog’s Instagram more appealing forced me to learn. It was like continuing ed for a while!"
You know full well I'm not going to let an ageist comment about your much-younger, gorgeous, vibrant self slip by. Don't let me catch you calling yourself old again, my friend, or I shall march up to Canada and strike you repeatedly with a wet vacuum cleaner bag full of dog hair.
I am well aware that the emotional demands of your life have likely left you feeling old. I can relate; there were days from the past nearly two years that I felt aged. But we are not. We are what we say we are. Words matter. YOU matter.
YOU matter to your readers. I stand with all of us to get in the face of calling ourselves old before our time. When is our time? Hell. When we die. THEN we are freaking old.
I celebrate you and your doggo, and I celebrate you and your memories and I celebrate your choice to live in the face of terrible grief. I do not support or celebrate anything which could possibly rob you of so many good years of writing material your readers need by coming after yourself for what you are not. You are not old. You are seasoned. Wiser. Growing. Hell, Kristi, you haven't even started your Goddess years.
You are magnificent. Period full stop.
I should have known you'd call me out for that!! 😁 But you know me well enough to know I HAD to slip in that tongue-in-cheek comment. I can self-deprecate with the best of them!!
Thanks (as usual) for such lovely and meaningful words Julia ❤️
These lessons outline a lot of the reasons why I write fiction about dogs in anthropomorphic form.
I don't know anything about that big word but....DOGS!!! 🐕
I don't have my own dog yet, but I'm hoping that will change one day in the not so far away future. I absolutely LOVE dogs. Their love is unconditional and they're always happy to be with you. ❤️ Great post! Give Dezi a hug for me. :)
I hope it happens for you sooner than you think! I know you (we) are just getting back on our feet in life but someday things will be just right.
❤️ I really hope so!. In the meantime, there's two dogs at the house I'm in, so that works! Lol
How have you been? Fingers crossed we both get a break, somehow, someway!
Bonus about living with dogs!! All the pleasure, none of the poop pick up 😂
I've been meh. Just really trying to get my shit together here.
Lol, I hear ya about the meh... I love Millie, but holy crap... she has a hyper sonic bark and there's no rhyme or reason what she'll bark at lol :S.
I love this story. Beautiful photos. Our dogs are our heroes. Even the hair on the chest is shaped like a S-- Superman cape. Apollo has this too.
Our last dog, Simon, got me through BCancer and depression. I'm convinced he took on my pain and died young because of it.
I'm dropping a story about my pooch tomorrow! There are no coincidences.
More dog stories please. 🙏🏻
I bet Simon was an amazing life partner who willingly took that on for you. They truly are heroes indeed.
Super looking forward to your dog story!
Simon is the inspiration for my WIP novel. :)
Dezi is adorbs!
Yeah....she kind of is 😁😁
First off I am so, so sorry for your loss. Secondly, photos in the comments would be great. People love their pets and we're always game to share them, so I think it would be a good idea and would definitely prompt more commenting!
Yes, being able to share photos here would be fab. I know Kristi has started picture threads in Notes.
Thank you Kimi. ❤ And I totally agree!
Sweet photos of a very sweet dog. You have a lot of grief to bear, Kristi, and you will bear it for your whole life. I am sure your dog helps soften the blow in a way. Any dog would.
So very true on all counts. ❤
My hubs when I met him was living at his father's with a dog named Shelby. It had been 8 years since I had a pet (a cat named Olli who passed away from a long illness and broke my heart)-- if not for meeting Shelby and letting her into my heart I would not have gotten my next kitty my Hope who lights up my life and has led me to also get Chino another kitty and also to meet miss Bruce, my brother in laws pup who also stole my heart. ❤️ dogs are awesome. I'll never forget it.
I love this so much!!! Love that a dog inspired you to get more pets. It's hard thinking about getting new ones after losing other ones and going through the heartbreak.
I am anticipating the next heartbreak unfortunately now as Hope is sick and it's a struggle. But I'm glad my heart is always going to be open now to more pets as I know Hope within just her name saved me and all thanks to Shelby. ❤️ the doggie who was a rescue herself.
That's the downside of pet parenting. The inevitability that we WILL have to say goodbye loooong before we're ready. 😪
Yep! Exactly. Unfortunately our pets will not outlive us... I just wish they would! So I'd never have to say goodbye. And as I say this I want to say I'm sorry for your loss. That cannot be easy whatsoever and I commend you on writing about it and not just writing about it-- but in a beautiful and open and honest manner.
Thank you Laura. It's been just over 3 years now and I must say that writing has been one of the only things that helped me get through.
I truly believe in this. I lost my mother 4 years ago on Jan 19th and I started really writing again after that. It's cathartic in so many ways and enlightening too. I've even started getting more in touch with my shadow now because of it and am learning more about me. Therapeutic is the best word I can think of for it. ❤️
So the lady researching and writing a business plan to start her own dog treat business says this question is a no-brainer.
My current pup is the only one we've ever gotten from a breeder, and incidentally, the only puppy we've ever had. ALL of our other dogs were rescued seniors and my heart overflows with how much love they gave us and how much we miss them.
I had no idea how much of a clown a pug could be, but holy dog biscuits, does she make us laugh!
I loooove that you have been a senior dog rescuer! That's kind of a quiet dream of mine, to give old dogs their best golden years. It would be sad as hell but so rewarding ❤️
My brother, the amazing old soul he doesn't even know he is-- he does the same! He's had 2 older senior girl German shepherds now. I give him such credit for this! ❤️ it's so wonderful to as was said, gift the doggie some amazing golden years!