Weema

Weema 
31 August 2006  – 8 March 2024

Weema was 17-1/2 years old. Her last few years were tough. She had dementia. She was restless at times, paced and circled. I fed her by hand. She slept in a "side sleeper" (meant for babies) so she wouldn't fall out of bed. But through all of this, she knew who I was, loved her treats, had a good appetite and still played occasionally with Taki, my younger dog. 

She grew up in a trio of dogs – Zabi, Tickle and Weema. Zabi was a babysitter-dog if there ever was one. He raised both Tickle and Weema. He'd lie down to play with Weema when she was a tiny pup, so he wouldn't hurt her. They'd roll around and "nose fence" (bop their noses, baring their teeth in play). Tickle was more standoff-ish at first. Then, one day, Tickle grabbed Weema's back leg in her mouth and growled. Weema froze. Then Tickle released Weema's leg and Weema wiggled in glee as if saying, "do it again!". So Tickle had a different way of playing, but she played with Weema just the same. 

They would all sleep together.

Zabi and Tickle have since passed on. Weema sat in the kitchen and howled her sorrow. And so I brought Taki home for her as a companion. She was never as fond of Taki as Tickle or Zabi, but she did bond, and she did play with him. Taki had to learn to play gently with Weema, who by then was a senior.

Now it's Taki's turn to adjust. He's enough of a narcissist, he may just do fine as an only dog. He can be a little fussy about eating, and he clearly misses Weema. But I'll give it some time.

I will miss her every day.