Lani's tale: And everything changes......

In writing this journal of Lani and her life, I thought I would collect my memories and present them for friends and dog lovers out there---as a remembrance for me of her life and a "filling in the blanks" for friends. All of you have lost a beloved pet and know the pain and emptiness of suddenly being without your daily companion. They do so much for us in the brief time they are with us and become such important parts of our lives.
I recently went to a book store and while browsing came upon a table of books of dog stories, memories, "how-to", etc etc. I realized that my memories of Lani could easily fill a book like those just as each of you could tell your own tales of your departed "pet-pals." I also realized that there IS a point where it is just another tale in a long list of similar tales and maybe everyone doesn't need their heart strings pulled by my endless blathering about MY dog.
But having started this----and instead of abandoning the whole project, I feel I should tell the story of her first Epileptic episode and the dramatic change to our life after it. I thought I would wrap this up with that story and a few final words.
So here we go (and thanks to any of you who have read and enjoyed these tales):

Thinking back, Lani and my life at that time, was really in a great little "groove." My business was booming. I had reworked my yard and turned it into a tropical paradise with thriving avocado trees, exotic flowering trees, a vegetable garden and all surrounded by a huge Areca Palm hedge. I had restored my 1962 Thunderbird convertible and was able to enjoy driving it to my favorite local restaurants. I had been working out at the gym and was in great physical shape. I had been "sitting in" performing music and singing along at assorted Maui nightclubs with some of the great musical talent on the island. Lani was an endless treat of doggie companionship with our morning walks to the park with frisbee (of course!) and evening walks at sunset. Her happy spirit and endless energy kept me laughing and content. I would give her a bath and tell her "You are SO beautiful!" and she would just GLOW in blissful appreciation.
I had gotten in the habit of taking her for a weekend morning "special" frisbee session to a gorgeous local beach "Kiawakapu." This was a very secluded, long curved beach just to the south of my house in Kihei and on the border of Wailea. It was hidden a bit by the large houses that "fronted" it and on weekend mornings had only a few people walking on it. PERFECT for a frisbee maniac dog and her buddy! I would drive the TBird convertible down there with Lani literally squealing with delight in the back seat. Dogs may not be able to read a calendar and know which day of the week it is (nor CARE!) but I can guarantee you that she knew what was happening when I opened the door of that TBird and said "come-on Lani!"
I would park at the far end of the beach in a parking lot there and she would race down the steps to the beach in anticipation. LOOK OUT!!! Anyone coming up those stairs would be surprised by this racing white creature flying by them on her way to the beach. At the beach, I threw the frisbee just along the water line so that she could chase it down in the hard packed sand there. No matter how hard I threw it or how far, she would race after it and "snag" it and then run out into the water---and stand there---briefly in the belly deep water----and then bring it back to me as I walked along. We would proceed down the long beach until a rock outcropping semi-blocked our way (and actually cut the length of the beach directly in half.) I would the turn us around and head back the way we came to our parked car---again, throwing the frisbee along the waterline.
One Saturday, after we had turned around and were heading back to the car, I threw it along and she raced after and grabbed it and headed out into the crashing surf. It was a fairly wild windy surf morning and I had been doing my best to keep her out of the water just a bit to prevent and rogue wave from "getting" her. She got out in the water---about belly deep----and hesitated. And stopped to look around. Something was wrong. I called after her as a wave started heading for her and she dropped the frisbee and again started to look around. I began to run toward her as the wave hit her in the chest and rolled her over slightly to her left. I was thinking "Stone Fish? or Jellyfish?" as I raced to her in the receding but still waist high water. (I knew from Tahiti that stepping on the spiny back of a Stone Fish would release the neurotoxin in those spines and could paralyze your respiratory system and the long tentacles from a Jellyfish could wrap around a limb and cause horrible burns and "stings.") I got up behind her and quickly grabbed her by the scruff of her neck to try and pull her out of the water----and she EXPLODED into a wild frenzy attack on me---biting my arm and opening up a long cut across my throat with her claws. This twisting wild thrashing was something much more than a simple "sting" and I wrestled with her to try to get the both of us out of the water without any further damage. There was blood and foam and sandy wet dog and me trying to keep my footing----and she collapsed. Completely. Limp. My dog was now lifeless and dead in my arms. I lost my grip on her and dragged her lifeless body up on the shore----picked her up off of the sand and carried her up to a slight incline of sand on the beach. And stood there looking at her---my mind racing with "what just HAPPENED?"----and yelling her name and pushing at her. She suddenly GASPED and took a breath, then started to whimper---and stood up crying---leaning against my leg. She had bit her tongue and was bleeding from her mouth and with my blood and the wet sand we were a real mess. She could kind of stumble/walk and I walked her around in a circle a few times to make sure that "all systems were GO" and headed back to the car. I had NO idea what had just occurred---and it was evident that she didn't either.
But everything had changed................

After numerous tests and miss-diagnosis and assorted different Veterinarians "weighing in" it was concluded that she had Epilepsy and the "attack" was a Grand Mal Seizure. A very severe one. It was explained to me that the seizures would occur but could be regulated---to a point---with medication. Which she would have to take for the rest of her life. And, as mentioned, everything changed. I really couldn't go out to play music or even dinner and leave her at home alone to possibly suffer another seizure. Which she did. Not as severe as the first but her recovery was unpredictable and many times destructive to furniture and herself. She would race around the house from room to room, apparently still blind from the seizures effects and frightened and traumatized by the whole event. It was horrible to watch and difficult to try to help her----and certainly not something I could predict or prevent. So it became a part of out lives. We never returned to Kiawakapu beach. I stopped going out at night or for too long. I would take her with me to deliver jewelry orders (sometimes with a seizure in the car---not good!) I started a pattern that continued until her death------bolting out of bed if I heard the sounds of her struggling.
I changed her food from regular dog food to a combination of brown rice, chicken and carrots---with some supplements. I cooked this every day for her for the next 10 years. When I went "off island" on business trips, I made sure she was with a petsitter that could "deal" with any episode and not be freaked out by them. I tried to figure out what may be a "trigger" to the seizures. Stress? Lack of sleep? Second hand smoke---or other toxins? Over the years, we came up with all kinds of "ahh HA!" revelatory solutions ---but she would still have another seizure.
Some time in there I met Diane---and Lani just loved her gentle spirit and kindness and felt a kindred caring for each other. It was wonderful to see them together and Lani would throw herself down in front of Diane for a brushing or belly rub.


As time went by and the economy in Hawaii struggled and different problems arouse, I move from my little bungalow down by the beach to other houses---and her seizures lessened. There was a long period of 2-3 years when she had NO seizures. Then, business got worse and we moved again and she had a few more-----stress? Lack of sleep? Numerous Vets had told me she would most likely not survive a plane ride. The combination of stress, dehydration and confusion of the whole process would most likely put her "over the edge"---and in a small kennel packed into an airplanes cargo hold? Not good.
I could go on and on but simply won't. I found that many people have had to deal with dogs with epilepsy and they all confirmed----it never went away and eventually would be the cause of their death.
So the economy collapsed and my finances along with it. I spent all my time racing back and forth to the mainland to do Art Fairs. Lani was with petsitters or then with me for a week or so and off I would go a again. We finally got the "OK" from one vet that said he thought she was old enough and had a long enough space in between seizures that she would be fine. Plans were made, my life in Maui wrapped up and finished and the flight taken. The journey to our new life was a wild scramble of final art fairs and new locations.
Age, stress, lack of water or food and too much drama and trauma, she eventually started to have what I had feared all along----a recurring session of seizure after seizure that she could not recover from.



As mentioned in one of my postings----both Diane and I awoke a few times during the night on our first night in my new house to find her sitting in front of the beveled glass doorway, looking up at the light. (I had noticed that she had gotten into the habit of falling asleep with her head up near a nightlight or hallway light, but this was different)
Listening to the angels? Drawn to "the light?" It was very odd and I had never seen her do this before.
Diane and I both heard the hooting of an owl numerous times. Our old aumakua from Maui ----here to help Lani on her way?
I mentioned the doorway light to my pal Leigh and he said, "Maybe she was downloading her next assignment?" ------funny but it somehow rang true.....
She came to work with me a few tims and kept pushing away from her bed that I had brought her in----simply to lay her head on my foot and be nearer to me. One day, I dangled my hand down by her and she "mouthed" it and play/chewed it like she did when she was a puppy. She had not done that in 12 years.......
It was quie evident that the end was near and there was no way to prevent the seizures from recurring.

I had the worst 6 hours of my life finally holding onto Lani while I did everything I could to prevent more seizures yet keep her just lucid enough for Diane to fly up from LA on an emergency last time visit to say goodbye to our beautiful girl.
I realized after we had let her go, that I had been living in fear for all these past years----worried about my sweet little dog and doing everything I can to aid her and prevent these horrible seizures if I could. All the cooking of special food and medications and worry and planning and adjustment had, without my realizing, become a part of my life. And now both she AND I were free. Sadly........
I would do it all over to simply have her here with me again.
She was a very unique dog. Never a problem. No digging, begging, chewing or garbage raiding. She was not a "licker" nor "smelly." After a trip to the beach, she would dry out---shake---and the sand would all fall out of her coat. I heard her bark twice. Twice in 12 1/2 years. She was incredibly sensitive but yet just so sweet and loving. I do not think she even knew HOW to be aggressive. She never caused another dog---or human---any problem.

So I now have her ashes in a box here---and light a candle for her every day when I get home---to help her find her way. I simply know she is waiting for me---with my other dogs. (and maybe she's found my Dad--who loved dogs so....)
I have yet to get my final items out of storage in Maui. When I go over to retrieve them, I will take Lani's ashes with me-----to Kalama Park----back where she loved life the most----where my little Angel can chase frisbees on into the heavens.

An Angels Tail: Life is all about fun!

As Lani got into her new obsession of frisbee every day and the daily schedule I had worked out for us, she began to come into her unique personality. Her shyness was a great gauge for me as to "good person/bad person." I began to pay extra attention to people she "selected." For example: There was a period, where every morning when we walked to the park, we would meet up with a local Hawaiian young man watching the surf down by the Kihei Canoe Club "launch" area. He would say "Aloha!" and Lani would immediately wiggle her little butt in complete "I LOVE YOU MAN!" abandon. "Bradley" seemed to be a nice kid but did have some sort of slight handicap either with his speech or mental "connectivity." He struggled at times to say his words and would suddenly stare off as if he had lost his complete "train of thought." One morning, he asked "Thomas---do you have any yard work I can do? I've been sleeping on the beach and haven't eaten in a few days and need some money for food" Now---it just so happened that I had been converting my overgrown wild but dry yard into my version of tropical paradise---and could use an extra hand. I told him I would pay him $10 an hour--cash--and he could come whenever he wanted. He followed us home. Bradley would come buy every morning---I would have some breakfast for him (which he would share with Lani in the yard) and he would work all day. He was able to use the toilet or shower when he was through and he not only transformed my yard but became a good "local" companion. The other thing was---you could feel his "Aloha" (giving/loving spirit) He told me that he had been born in Hana and did not get along with his Father. He was mistreated because of his handicap---which Bradley simply said was "Sometimes---I can't think straight" I told him, "Don't worry---everybody is like that." Lani----loved him!
She also had been showing me just how intelligent she was---and what she was capable of. With all my dogs, I taught them to walk along next to me or "heel." Some times this worked, and others it didn't. Jake--my big male Collie---was always prancing on ahead ---making sure that we were safe and the "coast was clear." Luke---my older "rescue" Collie stayed right by my leg---almost to the point of rubbing against me. He had been abandoned in the forest in Lake Tahoe in the winter and was found wandering in the snow. The local Humane Society there had called me and "tricked" me by telling me they had picked up Jake and I needed to come get him. Jake was standing by my side while I was talking with them, so that was simply not true, but they got me to come down and look at this poor lost fellow---and he ended up with Jake and I. Whether our of love or simply to not let me out of his sight, Luke walked right next to me. Becky---Jake's female companion after Luke died---as a smaller female Collie that always walked just behind me ---watching Jake and I on our walks. I many times had to stop to wait for her and urge her on. Lani----walked right along with me from the very start and would actually look up at me every once and a while as if to say "I am LOVIN' this!!"
No "training" had been involved with this---she simply wanted to stay by my side. She would also come into my work shop in the house and "check in" on and off during the day. She would stop at the door---look at me---then come in and walk around and "nudge" my elbow for a pet or some attention---and then go back out to whatever she was doing. At first, I would go out into the living room and watch what she was up to in the yard. I always left the door open so she could go out any time she needed to and found that she NEVER strayed from the property. She seemed content to "patrol" her yard and stay by me. That was IT! I learned to just let her be---trusting that she would stay close to home. She was learning about life. One day she came into the shop and did her "thing"---walked around and then bumped my elbow. I said "Hey Lani---what you up to?" She was licking and licking her nose more than usual, so I looked down at her---to see that the end of her nose was about twice it;s normal size! Lani----had obviously discovered the Hawaiian "Yellow Jacket" hornet and got her nose stung. I got a cool towel and put it on her nose and tried my best not to laugh as she looked down her snout at her big bulbous nose.
Again, I was learning that she was a smart little character. One day in the yard---throwing her frisbee for her while I was cleaning up, I threw it right through the palm fronds of the property line hedge and she ran right through them out to the street to chase her frisbee and ---stopped. I got through the palms and found her standing on the edge of the curb looking at her frisbee across the street. Though I had never taught her, she knew that the street was a "no go" zone. The amazing thing was, after I stood there and praised her for NOT going, she refused to run across the street to go pick it up. "If you're gonna throw it over there then you better go get it" she seemed to be saying. SOMEBODY learned a lesson that day!
I was helping a friend with horses "up country" Maui and Lani came along. She was THRILLED to be at the stables and pranced along the line of horses---touching noses with each one. This was something else she did. There was an orange tabby cat down our street that would come out to greet us on our walk. This cat would walk up and touch noses with Lani every day. No hissing or running and chasing. A simple--"good morning" nose touch, and we were on our way. So I found that Lani was, instinctively, a bit of a "ranch girl." There were goats down in a field near the horse stables and we would walk down there for her to "patrol" the fence line and whimper at the goats. They would come over to stare at her and she seemed to be begging me "PLEASE let me go round them up!"
Her learning continued. Once while helping a friend check on a vacation home for her friend, we walked around the property and went to the back to unload hay off of a 6ft high dock area. Lani climbed up the stairs and stood up on the dock watching me down below load the hay into a truck. When I was finished, I said, "Come on Lani" and turned---assuming she would go back down the steps. I looked back just as she jumped off of the 6ft high platform down to the cement floor below! "This is gonna HURT!" I thought. It was just too high----but she landed perfectly and trotted along over to me with a look of "what's the problem?" That same day, she learned another lesson. She had seen the ocean and played in the waves but never seen a pool. This property had a large "infinity" type pool that ended in a walkway along the far edge--looking out over the Maui vista below. We walked around the edge picking leaves out of the very still water and I noticed Lani ---looking----and looking---at the still water----and her reflection? I wasn't sure, but just as I was going to say "Lani???" she put her paw out as if to check the surface----and did a head first plunge into the pool! She went straight down and I could see her wide blue eyes coming up as she came rocketing to the surface. I grabbed her by the back of her neck and yanked her out. She shook and shivered and looked at me like "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!!!" I don't think she appreciated my laughter but, again, it was a good learning experience for her---AND me!
She and I had gotten into a very comfortable life together. Her enthusiasm for everything and obvious love of me and all that we did together was a great pleasure to find myself caught up in. She had really started to "muscle up" from her morning "power frisbee" sessions. I simply could not throw it far enough for her and she would do all kinds of acrobatics to catch it---sometimes leaping as tall as me--6ft--to catch and retrieve the frisbee.
We went to help a friend with the birth of a baby horse to a blind mare (why they bred this horse is beyond me but that will have to be another tale) I volunteered to stand throughout the night and watch to make sure that when they baby was born the momma would not freak out or step on it or?? Lani was right there by my side and kept a very comfortable distance from the mare but also seemed very reverent and concerned with the whole situation. In the morning, after the little foal was born and all was well, as we were leaving and being thanked for our time, suddenly the group of people gathered there noticed Lani. One lady said as I started to walk away "Oh my God! I didn't notice last night with all this activity but that is the most BEAUTIFUL dog I have ever seen!"
I had begun to realize, too. I had a very special AND beautiful companion and our lives together were a daily pleasure.

An Angels Tail: A new obsession and an Aumakua

Learning about each dogs unique personality has always been, to me, the most important part of "life with a dog." You can train them all you want and get them to obey your requests and requirements but knowing their personality will allow a better bond between the two of you. I have always done this by, not only researching their breed background and habits, but by simply watching their reaction to assorted stimuli.
In the case of my new young Australian Shepherd "Lani", I had the unique advantage of those stunning blue eyes. Most dogs I have had in the past had dark brown eyes --set in brown/black surrounding fur. (these were my 3 Collies and before them, a childhood black Cocker Spaniel and a sandy brown WiredHair terrier/sheep dog mix) The bright blue eyes of Lani "showed" her expressions--happy, nervous, inquisitive, playful--easily and it was a real revelation to watch her response to what was happening around her.
I soon found out that I had a very unusual companion. She did not "do" usual "dog things." From the start, she was never a "garbage" dog. I could leave an open trash can with the usually irresistible treat of chicken bones sitting in it, and she would ignore it. She ONCE tried to reach up and grab a sandwich that I had placed near the edge of the table but a quick "Lani??" from me stopped her. Numerous times, I would mistakenly drop scraps of food on the floor and she would ignore them.
Even "potty" training was a one time deal. She "peed" on some paper set on the dining room tile floor-----I took it and her outside, set it down--- she looked at it,looked at me---walked away--squatted and peed again, and that was that.
I am also not a "treat" trainer. I figure it is just a bribe system to get a dog to do what you want. I praise my dogs as if it was the biggest event in the world and make sure that they know how much happier life can be if they continue to do the same thing---and that usually does it.
Another strange thing about her was that she was VERY selective in who she liked or disliked---both people and fellow dogs. She would whimper and squeal if she saw someone she liked and almost drive another dog crazy with her affections, but would literally ignore people or dogs she did not like. And I mean she would treat them as if they were not there.
She was never interested in crawling up on furniture or my bed. I could haul her up onto the bed with me and she would allow me to pet and rub her but would soon get down as if it was MY thing---not hers.

Her lack of tail---or even adequate "nub"---made her wiggle her butt quickly to compensate. I would say to her "You don't have a tail, you just have a butt" and she would proceed to wiggle as proof of my statement.
I also soon learned that her new found game of frisbee was more than just a little game, it was an obsession. In one of our earlier sessions at the park, I continued to throw it out in front of her as we walked back through a field to the car. The "line" to chase down the frisbee "led" her straight at a softball sized rock on the ground and instead of going around it, she ran right over it and "whacked" her shin. That did not slow her down in the least but did result in a "I hurt my paw" look and three legged stance at the end.
After a few times of determined early morning frisbee catching in the huge field of "Kamaole Park III", I noticed that she was using her front legs to kind of help catch the large plastic frisbee as it came down AND she was cutting up her mouth on the hard plastic. Not my idea of a good game if it beats up her legs and cuts her mouth open. I did some research and found that there were a number of "soft disc" frisbees on the market. After trying 2 or 3, we finally settled on the bright pink/green/black "floppy disc" canvas model. It had a surgical tubing insert in the rim to allow her to grab it and could also float. NOW we REALLY had this new game dialled in!!

Lani proved that her energy level lived up to the "word" on Australian Shepherd dogs. Give them plenty to do and they MUST have a task. I did a lot of gardening and work in my yard and Lani was always happy to wander around and "test" the soil temperature with her belly whenever I dug up a new area for garden. She also became completely obsessed with our morning walks down to Kalama Park in Kihei----where the frisbee playing was beginning to become something other than a "game.". We had tried going to local dog parks at the invitation of "dog" friends but found those to be too chaotic AND, at time, dangerous. The last time we went found little Lani being chased around and around by 2 HUGE Rottweilers and though their owner seemed to think it was very amusing, I caught a glimpse of the frightened look in Lani's blue eyes as she ran by me and I quickly put an end to THAT little game. She wasn't running to play, she was running to save her LIFE!!
Her lack of interest in other dogs was really taken to another level when there was frisbee involved. A few times at the park, when I had thrown the frisbee for her, other dogs had attempted to "share" in our game. Lani had literally run them over----as if they were simply not there. If another dog approached her after she had caught the frisbee, she would just drop it and stand over it----waiting for me to come and get it and throw it one more time. I soon learned that this focus could turn dangerous. A few times, while running full out after the frisbee, she had been chased down and even completely blindsided and knocked over by other dogs running to play with her. A white Boxer had run her down and come away with a mouthful of white fur trying to get her to stop and--play? The owner quickly (a little TOO quickly) said "Oh, your dog must be shedding! Come on Tyson, let's go." Great. "Tyson" the Boxer. How inventive..... After a few questions to other owners, I found out that this was "Tysons" MO---run down other dogs and "tussle" with them. Another dog "T-boned" Lani at a full run one day without her even noticing the other dog was coming. Lani was rolled over and came up shaking her head and stumbling. The owner laughed about "Oh, that was quite a tumble" and I ----"lost it!" In my loudest voice I berated her for her lack of control over her dog and that it simply was not "funny" how her dog easily could have broken my dogs legs. MY DOG was interested in one thing only and that was the frisbee---not some uninvited attack from another.
So. I had learned a lesson, too. We had to go to the park early to avoid the assorted other walkers if Lani wanted to enjoy her new game to the fullest. The combination of her lack of interest in other dogs AND her obsession and focus on the frisbee was something I understood---but not something I wanted to continually explain to other owners.
To help with the obvious need for energy "disbursement", I also got into the habit of taking her for a long "just before sunrise" walk up an uphill street "Kilohana." This was down near Wailea and went straight up hill for about a mile and side streets could be taken to eventually walk in a circle back around to the car. At the top of this hill was a street that I used to take Becky walking at sunset. It had no buildings or development but had a sidewalk and green way and rolled over a few hills to the next subdivision. It was a very quiet little area and I rarely was disturbed by other walkers or dogs. I could not throw the frisbee there though as the green way next to the sidewalk was to thin and close to the street, so Lani got into the habit of chasing a fleece ball---only if I "led" her with it by throwing it out in front of her while she ran.
One night, just after the sun had set and in the section of the street where I had enjoyed my final walk with Becky years before, I had thrown the "ball" out in front of Lani and she was chasing it down the sidewalk in front of us as the street started to "dip" down into a gully. Off to our right was an open field area with scrub brush and "Kiawe" trees. ("Kiawe" is the Hawaiian word for the thorned hardwood small trees I knew from past years as Ironwood) As Lani ran down ahead of me, I saw something moving out of the trees across the street. It was just getting dark enough that I could not get a good view of what it was and then realized that it was much closer than I expected and was a large tan/white Hawaiian Owl flying straight out of the trees heading directly at me with wings outstretched---not making a sound! As it came closer, I realized that because of the "dip" in the road, what had begun as a flight 10 to 12ft or so off of the ground was now heading straight at ME! It was very clearly watching my little white dog and it's white fleece ball and had not even seen me until it was about 10ft directly in front of me. I threw up my hands to frighten it away and it took a sharp turn to my right at the last second and flew off. It was so close, that as I ducked, I felt and heard the "whoosh" of it's wings as it flew away. Lani had seen none of this.
The next day, I called my friend Charles Ka'upu----noted Hawaiian chanter, kumuhula and teacher---for some advise on what had happened. Charles knew of my Tahitian connections and I had introduced him to my friend Pa----a powerful native medicine doctor from the Cook Islands. Charles had told me he felt I had some deep connection to the "mana" of the islands---rare in a "Popo'a." (Tahitian for white man) I knew that these Owls were very rare---and a sighting equally rare---and that this event had some interpretation that Charles could help me with. He explained that they lived in those Kiawe tree down there and it was certainly not a huge surprise that I had seen one--checking out my little white dog and toy in the darkening evening. But when I explained the last visit with my previous dog Becky there, and my deep loss at her passing while I was gone, he became very interested. He asked if the Pueo (Hawaiian Owl) had flown off in the distance or crossed our path. When I told him that it had done neither and actually almost flew right into me as if it did not notice me, he let out a "whew!" "Think about that Tom," he said. "It was connecting with your dog NOT you. You just said it almost did not see you. YOU think it was maybe stalking your dog----maybe the reverse is true. Maybe it's spirit was LOOKING for your dog"
Believe what you may about the powers of the Hawaiian Aumakua (or "life spirits") but this encounter was certainly filled with meaning. It's interpretation is left open for consideration. I felt then, as I do now all these years later, that there was no doubt in my mind----I had a very special dog in my life. All of our dogs are certainly special to us, each in their own way. My previous dogs each had their unique personality to enjoy. But this little "Lani" ---with her loving, playful, fun spirit was a joy to have as my companion. Every single day.

Lani: An Angels tail.....(2)

So I now had a little white ball of fur puppy in my life. As mentioned in my previous post, the "girlfriend" was SO furious that I had actually GOTTEN the dog she forbid me to get that she would have nothing further to do with me. "Simple solutions to everyday problems" is a long standing literary project of mine and that little example will get it's own chapter.
I was not unaware of the "traits" of the Australian Shepherd dog breed. My friend Tita had a gorgeous male as part of her 5 dog menagerie in Lake Tahoe and the ranch where I kept my horse had a number of them. They were great trail dogs and very involved in the running of the ranch. Smart and active---always in need of a "task." I remembered a night at the ranch when I helped birth 4 horses (THAT is another story!!) and the male Aussie kept his distance but was always there just outside the corral----watchful and very attentive when I stepped out and got towels or water. He watched my every move----as if he was saying "Let me know if there is anything you need."
She was born on September 5, 1999 and was named "Angel" by the owners. She had a very VERY short "docked" tail (traditional with "Aussies")----just about the length of my thumb knuckle. Barely enough to grab hold of (as the vet put it---obviously an important factor for THEIR line of work) it provided a little hair "patch" over her butt and that was about it. Her bright blue eyes looked uneven but on closer inspection, one simply had better "eyeliner" and the other was unfinished. Her markings were very similar on either side of her face but not identical. They reminded me of some of the works of the artist Gustav Klimt---long rectangular sections of different color overlapping each other. She was a little beauty!
The neighbor across the street also had a dog named "Angel" and to simply to prevent any neighborhood confusion, I decided to switch it from "Angel" to "Lani"----the Hawaiian word for "Heaven" or "Heavenly."

I had gotten into the habit of going for a morning walk down South Kihei Road---for about 2 miles---every day. Lani was carried along in my arms with me for the first few times, with my hand under her ribcage and body snuggled up to my chest. I would put her down to walk along for a while but she was not too thrilled with that idea and would simply sit down and whimper when she was "done" with this whole walk idea. Everyone we met "ooooohed" and though friendly, she showed that she was a bit shy. That was OK with me, it would keep her safe.
A friend came over from Kauai to visit around Christmas time and we spent a number of days trying different tricks and ideas to see what my new dog would like or not. We went on a hike one day and just like on my walks down Kihei Rd., Lani would get a certain distance and then sit---and whimper. OK. NOT a hiking dog.
In getting my new little pup, I knew she would need plenty of yard to run in (which I had) and a task or two to do. I worked out of my Plantation style bungalow and rarely closed the windows or door, so she would have a very healthy, safe environment. The "stilt" style bungalow had 3 steps leading down to the yard on either side of the house but for safety and security, I kept the "public" side closed and the "yard" side open all day. I lived one block from the ocean in Kihei (the south shore of Maui) and could walk her to the big activity park "Kalama Park" at the end of my street. The yard was surrounded by either a Lilikoi (passionfruit) hedge or in front by a line of palms. She soon learned to wander around the yard when I was out working in it and would then follow me into the house to rest while I made jewelry. Life was casual and good.
I decided to take her for a morning walk every day and an evening sunset "cruise" to a different location for a shorter "closer" walk before dinner. I had done this with Becky and had an area (Kilohana hill) where I had last walked her before going off to Italy on the vacation when she died. I remembered that she had wanted to sit by me and stay longer than usual and had looked up at me with her brown eyes when I had told her to get in the car---almost like saying "Can we stay just a bit longer? This is the last time we'll be together." (you may think that "maybe" I am adding a bit of "embellishment" to that thought but I did recall and remember that look of hers on my plane ride to Europe. It was a long loving look that took on some added special meaning when I got the phone call telling me of her passing)
It was a strong learning curve for me with a little young pup in place of an older dog. Becky had a very slow, regal "stroll" walk and NEVER would wander and always walked a step behind me. Suddenly, I had a hyper, frisky "LET"S GO!!!" character to contend with! I always train my dogs the basics in daily "sessions" until I know they have it. "Sit", "Stay", "Down", "Let's go" and "Stop" usually can take care of everything. I have an EXTREMELY loud voice when I want to "project" (vocal lessons and training in college were a real awakening to the power of my voice!) so I had actually two sets of commands. One in a calm (when they are cooperating) voice and one very firm and loud to make sure I get their attention. I'll correct myself here---I rarely said "STOP!" It was actually either "NO" or their name---REALLY loud. That would stop them in their tracks. I had always promised my dogs when I got them that they would never be abandoned or ever get hit by a car and would always have food and fresh water and would be loved and taken care of until they died. My own little pledge of allegiance.
I carried Lani down to Kalama Park that New Years Eve to watch the fireworks over the water down to the south of us. I got another lesson in just who my little girl was-----she was terrified of the noise and crawled up into my lap and stuck her head under my arm! I had a sensitive little sweetie!
I soon found out that she loved romping around the yard shaking and pouncing on coconuts. The dried nuts fiber on the outer skin was a great thing to grab hold of and shake while she ran around and bucked like a bronco. When she shook them they also, unfortunately would swing around and club her on the shoulders and head. Funny to watch but not a good idea after too long of a time. I also found out that she loved cats. I had some "yard cats" that would "mouse" my yard and they would wander in and she would walk up curiously and touch noses with the "safer" ones. If they ran, she chased them but if they stopped, she would simply stop and walk away. It was never aggressive and either play or friendship.


She so aggressively ran after a cat one day that she ran right through the Arica Palm hedge and I heard a "RANG" from a post----she came out limping and I looked to find that she had run right into a long bolt sticking out of my hedge "poles" and bent it flat! That soon blew up like a balloon and she got her first "post-puppy" visit to the Vet to drain the fluid from that wound. She would forever have a "divot" in her shoulder muscle that I could feel when I petted her.
I sadly lost a photo from about this time of her with a model friend who had come to Maui for a photo shoot. They were both long legged "gazelles" romping around my yard and the photo showed Lani with her "teen" legs sitting between the models outstretched legs on the sofa---both with huge smiles on their faces---blissed out with life.
I decided I needed to take her down to another park to find out just what kind of toy she would prefer. The coconut idea was fun but a bit dangerous and she also had gotten into grabbing windfall avocados to toss around and then eat. Again, funny but after a few times of all green face, she came down with what the Vet diagnosed as a case of Pancreatitis from overloading on the fat content of the avocados. SO-----a bucket full of assorted toys was called for....
I remember a beautiful Sunday morning. I got her to "sit" and then backed up about 6 ft. "Stay, Lani" I threw a "Kong." Nothing. A ball. She ran after it but it was simply followed and then she returned to look at me. A stick. (she gave me a look like "Really?) A "squeaky" toy. That actually kind of scared her. "There is something inside that toy!!" a number of assorted ropes like things. Nothing. A hard plastic Frisbee. She caught it. Just like that. Problem solved. Just to be sure, I gathered up the other things and got her to stand out in front of me again and then threw the Frisbee. Caught it again. This was a large, plastic beach throwing model. I threw it again---further this time---and she ran after it, caught it, and then turned, while I shouted "Bring it here, Lani, bring it here." She quickly turned and ran back to me but the Frisbee was so big and hard that it flipped up over her head and she ran blindly back to me while gripping the inside lower edge in her teeth! She was THRILLED! She also found she could, if she got a good grip on the edge, shake it back and forth like her coconuts. PERFECT!!!
And so, her life long obsession began.........

Lani: An Angels tail.......

Simply----a dogs tale:

I was in Italy on a well planned vacation when I received the call, on my birthday, that my 11 year old collie dog Becky had died in Maui. This is not her tale but her death, and the timing of it, contributed----as a sort of "preface"---to the following "tale."

I had planned out, what I thought, was a perfect "celebration of life" trip after the passing of my Mother. I lit candles for her in some of the grand cathedrals of Italy. Saw sights I knew she would have enjoyed and thought "Oh---Mom would LOVE this." Enjoyed wonderful food (one of her great talents) and wandered and wondered about the beauty of Italy. I was almost finished with my trip and actually departing the next day to Zurich from Milan to then fly home, when I got an early morning call (as noted---on my birthday) telling me that my dog had quickly secummed to viral pneumonia and was gone. I told the "pet sitter" to please put away all of Becky's goods---in a closet maybe---to allow me to come home and adjust to her not being there without having the "remnants" in view. So much for "well laid plans."
I returned to Maui and did my best to quickly adjust to NOT having a dog companion---something that I had accepted as part of my life since departing LA in 1982.
I quickly got into my bicycle riding and started to connect, or actually reconnect, with assorted musician friends---letting them know that I was available to "sit in" whenever it was comfortable for everyone involved. I did that, and had a great time performing with some of the amazing musical talent on Maui at that time-------but I knew that I would one day get another dog. It is my belief that there is a special bond between a dog and it's chosen "partner." I never liked to think of myself as an "owner" ---even though, I will admit, that I have selected and purchased a number of dogs. Did I "own" them? No. They were a partner in my life and shared it with me. I fed them and trained them and they provided me with a loving true companion to play with and exercise and all that was required was a shared space and food and they freely rewarded me with undying love and devotion. Not a bad deal.....
After a few years of "life without dog" and great times playing music late into the night and assorted dating and social times, I began to receive phone calls from a local woman that said she heard I was looking for a dog. This was simply not true. I had not even thought in that direction. She stated that the local "Vet" had said she should give me a call because she had some remaining pups and wanted to see if I was interested. This was ALSO not true. She was an Australian Shepherd breeder. I informed her that my most recent dog---and her predecessors---were Collies, NOT Australian Shepherds. Though I was familiar with the breed, I was not interested---thank you.
She called every week or so. "Just checking."
At that time, I was dating a woman who, though a stunning beauty and "seemingly" relatively intelligent, repeatedly told me ---"If you ever get another dog WE are through. I know how much you love dogs and there is NO WAY I want to compete for your attention with a dog."
OK. Need I explain the weirdness of this any further? NO? Thank you......

Due to this dual onslaught, I finally told the breeder that I would come by and take a look at her remaining 2 pups. A male and a female. Male "Tri-color" and female "White merle." ("tri-color" meaning with relatively symmetrical markings of black, tan and white and "white merle" meaning a "mottled" white/tan/grey/black but predominately white)
The girlfriend had been descending into that weird area of regular visits and/or PLEASE stay away, you ARE freaking me out/what am I gonna do? kinda...........

I went by late in the afternoon one day to see the pups at the breeders house. This-----is what I saw------------

How could I ressit this white ball of fur? Pale blue eyes and a pink and black nose. The "girlfriend" was a "goner!"......

More tomorrow........."pup" life and "teen" Lani.