Would have been Dante's 16th birth day. It's rained much of the day.



Today is also the Marine Corps Birth Day.


Happy Birth Day, Dante.

Happy Birth Day to my fellow Marines. Semper Fi.

A very special little Akita was born.

After a rocky and uncertain start, she thrived and eventually found me.



She's not Dante, no dog will ever be Dante. But I see a lot of Dante in her, and honestly, I'm thankful for that.



While she's not Dante, she's gone a long ways towards filling that emptiness Dante left behind.



She's my happy-go-lucky, silly pupper.



And today.. she turns a year old.



Happy 1st Birth Day, Caena Kamikaze Ryu. Thanks for being a part of my family. Thanks for being the silly you.

It's rather hard to believe, let alone accept that it's been a year already. I keep hoping, occasionally, that I'll wake up and it'll have all been a bad dream, that she is still here and always will be. That I never lost her in the first place. That she never left me. That her body never wore out on her, when her spirit never did.



I know, I know, she'll always be with me in spirit. But it's not the same. It never is. And honestly? It doesn't make me feel any better. I want my Dante-Inu back. And I can't have her. I want my four-legged best friend and soul mate. I want to see that smile whenever I want, feel her fur whenever I need to, just know she's there when I need her. I won't have that ever again.



Mark saw her the other night, at the top of the stairs. He thought it was Caena until he came back downstairs and realised she was sleeping next to the couch, in the same spot Dante always did.
He said he was sorry, because she showed herself to him first. I said, I see her every night, she's the last thing I look at before I turn out the lights. I have a framed photograph of her on the nightstand next to my pillow. It helps a little bit.



Having hundreds of photos of her helps too. It's not the same, it's not like running my fingers through her fur, or feeling her lean against me when she knows I'm upset, but it helps. I wish, sometimes, Caena could have known her, especially in her later years when she had mellowed out drastically in regards to other dogs.



I miss her so much.

So, we moved the shelf portion of Mark's childhood desk back upstairs to the Studio. I needed shelving in here, we want to get a nice 6ft bookcase that matches the new ones in the kitchen for downstairs, as well as rearrange the living room- maybe, still undecided on that part.

His old desk is an antique now. It's a 2 piece corner desk, with the shelf part that is angled across the back, rather than just fitting into the corner. Means less actual desk space, but lots of shelf space. Now, I have a place to put my Bead&Buttons, my QuiltArts, my Cooking Lights, my various papers, and storage containers, etc, etc, so one and so forth. It's also the most organized/cleanest part of the Studio, currently. Heh.

Oh yeah, as well as a space for the Boys to claim as their own without fear of something falling over on them. Yes, a portion of the bottom always HAS to be set aside for the cats. Cat owners know this. Otherwise, they will TAKE it, hell or high water.



Between Mark's old desk and my actual desk, is a 3 drawer fabric storage caddy. On top of THAT, is a quilt in progress and a folded throw. Luckily, Aries and Max are relatively good at sharing a space. Max was the first to claim the new curling/sleeping spot on the desk, where, yes, I placed a folded afghan. I am not stupid after all, and it's either that or sacrifice yet another art quilt in progress to their comfort. When one is sleeping HERE, the other is across the room, in the Box on the makeshift table by the other bookcase. Yes, it is almost an imperative to have multiple sleeping places in the Studio. Otherwise, they'll take over my desk AND the design table. Being large cats, they do both quite easily.





Max likes to think he rules all he surveys. We accommodated him in this thinking and laugh at him when he's not glowering looking. From his vantage point here, he can snarl and hiss at Caena when she stretches up to look out the window. Surprisingly, Max has actually lost weight. This is good. Finally, he has stopped wheezing when he lays on his back. Raw food and Solid Gold Indigo Moon for the win. He's also finally starting to wander back downstairs. This is very good.





Aries... is the Instigator. Don't let this laid back look fool you. He's constantly thinking up new ways to get Caena into trouble. He generally takes over this spot in the evenings, when Max moves to the other Box. From here, he can see precisely when to jump down, nonchalantly walk past Caena sleeping on the floor, and wait in the hall for her to notice him. Then he'll either fly down the stairs, causing her to take off in hot pursuit, or he'll try to worm his way back into the Studio, yeowling at her in the process, waking Max up and causing HIM to come waddling running across the design table to yeowl/snarl/hiss at poor Caena, who just wants to play. He also likes to sneak to the bottom of the stairs, peer around the end of the couch to see where Caena is and when she spots him, go tearing off back upstairs, with her on his heels. This is getting old. He didn't do this with Dante.

Needless to say, much of this is a daily thing. So this, basically, was a Day in the Life of Max and Aries. Heh.

These are the ones that have a photo of Dante-Inu in them.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Remember...the 2009 MARS calendars are now back from the printers and
available for ordering!

We have been shipping them all week and the feedback has been great :)

Please forward this email to other Akita enthusiasts, family members,
email lists, or anyone you think would be interested in purchasing a
calendar. It is our MARS grass roots supporters that help us promote
and sell our calendars each holiday season. Every purchase counts and
makes this a successful fund raiser for our orphans!

Please order early, especially if your dog is in the calendar, as we
only printed a certain number of calendars and we want everyone that
desires one for themselves or for gift giving to be able to purchase one.

Please see below for an order form that you can print out, or you can
order on-line with your credit card from the Moongazer website
(http://www.moongazer.com).

**For international orders, please email me privately for specific
instructions.**

The calendars are the featured product on the Moongazer website and are
listed under "Unique Items" and then just click on "MARS Items."

Or follow this direct link:
http://www.moongazer.com/Boulder/web_store.cgi?category=Artwork&page=2051.html

Or, see a complete listing of various MARS items at:
http://www.moongazer.com/Boulder/web_store.cgi?category=Artwork&page=MARS_Items.html

This year the calendars features over 90 Akitas just being Akitas and
with over 1500 entries, we tried to pick some great shots! We have a
detailed Who's Who page, dedications, and every month has a miniature
calendar of the month previous and the month following in the top right
and left corners.

We are sure you will love them!

100% of the proceeds from calendar sales benefit the orphans under the
direct foster care of MARS. Many thanks to all who have supported MARS
efforts and to those who made the calendar possible this year!

Take Care,
-- Lisa
***********************************************************************
Lisa R. McCluskey, BS, CPDT
MOONGAZER.COM - "Intelligent Instruction Pets Enjoy"
Accredited Pet Behavior Counselor - Pet Behavior Institute of the UK
Certified Pet Dog Trainer, Certification Council for Prof. Dog Trainers
American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Good Citizen (CGC) Evaluator #3950
Certified Delta Society Pet Partner, Animal Assisted Activities/Therapy
Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) Professional Member #2713
Assistant - John Rogerson's 21 Day Instructor Course - Kusur, India
Akita Club of America Public Education Committee (PEC) Chair
Midwest Akita Rescue Society (MARS) Co-Founder


***********************************************************************
MARS ORDER FORM - 100% of Proceeds from Sales Go to MARS Orphans

1.) 2009 Full Color Twelve Month Calendar (11" x 17" when open) - $16.00
each
QUANTITY - _______ TOTAL - _______________

2.) MARS Notepads -- 5.5" x 8.5" burgundy print on grey, 50 sheets
--$2.00 each
QUANTITY - _______ TOTAL - _______________

3.) $5.00 - S & H - Please add $1.00 S/H for each additional calendar
ordered.
TOTAL SHIPPING - ______________

4.) GRAND TOTAL - _____________

5.) SHIP TO:
NAME _________________________________________
ADDRESS ______________________________________
CITY ______________________ STATE __________ ZIP _____________
PHONE ____________________ EMAIL __________________________

8.) Method of Payment: Check, Money Order, MC, Visa (please circle one)
Account Number: exp. date:
Cardholder's Signature:
(Your credit card will have our corporate sponsor, MOONGAZER.COM on the
bill, as MOONGAZER.COM will be providing merchant services free of
charge to MARS.)

Call Moongazer at: 866-822-PETS (toll-free)
OR
Order On-Line at: http://www.moongazer.com
OR
Send to:
Lisa McCluskey, MARS, 1802 CR 2000E, St. Joseph, IL 61873

Autumn Splendor by *WolfSilverOak on deviantART

This stunning silk scarf is the 1st of the Dante-Inu Commermorative Birth Day Scarves. Only one a year will be released, every November. No two will ever be alike, in coloring or style.


Autumn Splendor, close up by *WolfSilverOak on deviantART

Reading comments like this...

"Oh, and they can be really aggressive towards kids. edit Actually nvm, I think the aggressiveness is from american Akitas, not shiba inus or even akita inus :3" From this post.
*headdesk**headdesk**headdesk*

Sorry, Caena! You, as an AMERICAN AKITA, have to stop being so nice! You're supposed to be AGGRESSIVE! What's wrong with you?!? You're doing it wrong!!!!

Oh and Shiba-Inus aren't aggressive? Bullshit. Tell that to the little fucker that threw itself at the fence, growling, snarling and barking like mad everytime Dante and I were out walking back in North Carolina.

ANY dog can be aggressive. It all depends on the OWNER.

Yes, there is such a thing as an American Akita-Inu line and a Japanese Akita-Inu line. The American line tends toward stouter, larger(heavier) with a more boxy face. The Japanese line is leaner, deeper chested with a more fox like face. Most times they are very hard to distinguish between though.

But they are ALL Akita-Inus.

Oh and thanks to that damn live feed video, Shiba-Inus will most likely become the next 'Hot Ticket Item' for Christmas.

15 years ago today, you were born.

Less than 3 months later, you were mine. My fourlegged Best Friend and soulmate.

14.5 years we had together. Good times and rough ones.

Today, you would have been 15 years old.

5 months, 5 days ago, you decided it was time to go.



Happy Birth Day, Dante-Inu, where ever you are.

Caena was more interested in the brick she'd found than paying attention to what was going on just in front of her.

Funny, but Dante liked bricks at that age too.

Can you see the visitor who's oh so carefully not looking at Caena?

Remember these scarves?





Well, if you really like them, now is your chance to buy tickets for the raffle in which they will be given away.

Akita Rescue of Western New York is holding it's Annual Akita Picnic/Fun Day on Sept 13, 2008. At this picnic, raffle drawings will be held for a wide variety of Akita related and non Akita related items.

My 2 scarves will be raffled off as a set. You can own these 2, OOAK , 100% Silk scarves, for mere dollars in the grand scheme of things.

So buy your raffle tickets now. Buy LOTS. all proceeds benefit Akita Rescue.}:)

We're buying a good amount and putting them towards the dog bed/toy basket.}:) Our next Akita won't want for toys if we win. Heh.


And remember, these scarves won't be offered up anywhere else. If you want a silk scarf, and want to help a good cause at the same time, there are still Dante-Inu Memorial Scarves available. 2 Silver and 11 Copper. 50% of each sale goes to Akita Rescue.

So we go out to the car this morning for Mark to go to work, and I can have the car for the day, to go get groceries, etc. And... it won't start. We had to get a jump from the neighbor. I hope it's just the battery, as I've said before, we need to consider getting a new one as this one was looking rather ragged.

We get to Mark's work, he turns it off because he wants to make sure the car will start again for me.

It won't start. The battery should have been recharged by then.

He ended up taking a sick day, so we could go get a new battery. Yeah, there went the extra money we had set aside from this week.


We went grocery shopping with what we had left, got only what we needed or would run out of in the next week. We did good, I must say.

Get home and my damn cell phone is ringing. My father in law had wanted me to call him yesterday, only they weren't home. So he called me back today. Apparently, when the bro and sis in law were up in New Jersey last weekend, they mentioned my thinking of selling the Demon Truck to a junkyard.

He wanted me to consider donating it to Goodwill or an organization similier. I'd already thought of that, when I first thought about getting rid of it. Only Goodwill and similier around HERE, won't take a non-running vehicle and it's not worth it to me to fix it. Kelley Blue Book only goes back to 1988, the Demon Truck is a 1986 model, so I can't even really get a market value on it, essentially it's worthless.

I have also considered calling up the local high schools and seeing if they have any shop-type classes that might be interested in it. Told him all this. Well, he had a name/number of an organization that apparently takes vehicles in any condition, running and non. Hmm. Ok, worth checking into to see if they're in my area.

Then he said, well, you consider donating the Truck, I'll give you $3,000 towards a new vehicle.

I looked at Mark, my jaw dropped. Then I explained that we weren't planning to replace the Truck with getting ME a new vehicle, but that sometime in the next year, we hoped to trade in the Car for a newer vehicle. So he said he'd give us the $3,000 towards that if we wanted.

Wow. Just wow.

So now I need to look up this organization he gave me and see if they're in my area, as well as go get a new title for the Truck.




So lately, I've been really missing Dante. Just her companionship in general. Really wishing it was January already so we can start looking for a Rescue pup. Been trying to come up with a good name for our next Akita as well, one that would sound relatively nice in Japanese, to keep with the naming thing we had with Dante-Inu (French-Japanese for Devil Dog) and to go with the fact that Akitas are Japanese dogs.

Well, I had thought 'Phoenix' would be a good name. 'Phoenix Rising' would be even better. Hmm, let's translate that to Japanese...

Phoenix- Fenikkusu Not bad, ok, not great but, we can work with it. Let's continue...

Rising- Joushou, Kishou, Shinkou, Botsubotsutaru, OR Ryuuki

Err, yeah... No.

Any combination of Fenikkusu with ANY translated Rising just... doesn't work for us. Bummer. Just doesn't sound good.

Back to the drawing board. *sigh*

Walked downstairs and into the kitchen to do... something. I don't know why.

Ended up grabbing a SF Dark Chocolate pudding cup, a hair stick from the table in the living room where I've been working on ArtQuilts and watching the Olympics, and back upstairs.

And here I sit. Typing up a journal entry.

I got the windows open, the A/C off. There's a wonderful breeze blowing in the windows. It's days like this that I'd sit outside with Dante, and just enjoy it. It's just not the same sitting out there alone. Max and Aries still won't willingly come out the back door, that's Dante's domain in their minds.

2 months, 5 days.

Some days it feels like it was only yesterday that she left me, others it feels a lot longer.

This secret posted in PostScret hit me hard yesterday. (I get the syndicated feed on LJ).

I wish Dante was still here to share winks with me.


I guess I'll eat my pudding cup, go do dishes that really need it, and maybe go outside to do some gardening. Or I might end up uploaded and editing for posting the latest pics from the garden.Or maybe I'll end up doing both.

I have 2 new scarves that I just dyed. This is basically a sneak peek at them. There will only be one of each. That means, OOA

Why?

Because there's a catch. They aren't going up for sale at the Shop. These particular scarves for specially dyed for the ARWNY auction this Sept.

So if, you want one, you'll have to go bid on them.

( Peektures... )

Been working on the Memorial scarves. Got all the reserved listed, as well as the extras. Now to wait for them to sell.

Dyed 2 new Habotai scarves for the upcoming ARWNY auction. I decided to do 2 that I haven't already dyed previously, so these are completely new scarves.

I'm thinking January time frame for starting to look for our next Akita. Honestly? The fence doesn't really have to be finished right away. We do still have the lead run up and the pup would, invariably, be inside with me most often. Plus there's the park down the street. It's just, time frame wise, I think that would be a good time to start looking. No upcoming vacations that would leave the pup behind, it'll be nearly a year after Dante leaving us. I think I'll be ready by then. We'll see.

Harvested the first bunch of green beans from the garden yesterday. not many, but there's lots of baby beans still out there. Have a zucchini growing as well.

The Day lilies went nuts, rather like the Irises did, this year. The Praying Mantis is still occupying the Basil and Salvia out front. The squirrels found the volunteer Sunflower and ripped it out. That'll teach me to not keep the feeders fill. Oops.

Sims started boring me, so I started building houses for awhile. Now I'm trying out a 'poverty challenge', but will post it as a storyline of sorts rather than a legacy. Never could get into the legacy style of writing. Blackblade Clan needs to be updated. The next Chapter is written, just need to figure out what screenshots to use. Been rethinking the plot line for it, and haven't decided if I want to continue with the way I have it in the notes for it, or if I want to streamline it more. May streamline it a bit. We'll see.

Say 'Hellboy II' last weekend with the bro in law and sis in law. If you like 'Pan's Labyrinth', you'll liked HB II. Very visually pleasing. A little slow in some areas, but it makes up for it. Going to see 'The Dark Knight' this weekend. Hope it's as good as the trailers and such make it out to be. Even if it's not, Christian Bale will make up for it.

It needs to not be so hot, so I can go start digging out where I want the pond to be.

Speaking of ARWNY, they are having their 4th annual picnic the weekend we plan to be in New Jersey. I talked Mark into going, mentioned it to his mom, who told his dad, who said he might be interested in going to. It'll be nice, finally meeting a few of the people I only know via emails and the Akita Rescue list, as well as meeting their Akitas.

Stupidity going on the various Sims2 comms, makes me realize that I really should have stayed a lurker. Oh well. Most I go to for the CC and such, not the scintillating conversations. /sarcasm.

Ok, all reserved scarves have been listed.

There are TWO from Limited Edition Run 1 left. These are the gold ones. They are listed here.

There are NINE from Limited Edition Run 2 left. These are silver. They are not listed yet, as I still need to finish dyeing them and such.

So, if you want another one, or know someone who might like one, send them on by.

So far, total funds raised for Akita rescue is $215.00. This is counting the scarves that have been purchased, as well the ones still reserved. The donation will be sent in once the final RESERVED scarf has been bought. A second donation will be made as the other 11 scarves sell out.

So pass the word! Let's get these 11 scarves sold. Make it so I have to do a third limited run in copper. Let's see if we can get up near 500.00 donated to Akita Rescue in Dante's name.

So, Kristin from Urns , whom I bought Dante's Urn from, asked me, a little over a week ago, if I minded contributing abit about Dante and I to an article she was writing for the Etsy Storque. The Storque is essentially, the Etsy newsletter, I believe anyone with an account can get this emailed to them.

At the time, Mark's parents were coming into town and I wasn't sure if I'd have time to sit down and type something up for her. so I gave her free rein to all the Dante-Inu entries here in my InsaneJournal. That Monday, after everyone headed back home, I managed to get her a photo of the place we had set up the urn, as well as the statue my Sis in law and bro in law had given us and the plaster paw print the vet had made.

Today, I received a convo to that article.

She did an awesome job on the write up. I was tearing up just reading about the cat, and full out crying when I got to the part about my Dantegirl. Kristin couldn't have picked a better photo. That exact one is my wallpaper. Dante is the first thing I see when I start up my computer and the last thing I see when I shut it down.

I couldn't have done better on the write up than she has. She says it all and I am greatly appreciative and thankful for that.

Thanks again, Kristin.

Ok, all but 2 of the first Run are listed, several sold already.

Gab, and Rottn, yours still need listing yet. They'll be up by Friday.

Dansr, Atypia, and Starsong , yours should also be up by Friday. These are the second Run ones, in silver.

Conscience, I'm hoping to have yours up by this evening, if not sooner.

There are 3 Limited Edition Run 1, in gold left and 9 Limited Edition Run 2, in silver left. Depending on whether they sell in a quick fashion, I may do a third Run in copper. We'll see.

There's no rush to get your scarves, don't break the bank. They are reserved listings for each of you. I am sending the links directly to YOU, so there's no confusion.}:)

Thanks everyone.

The first 14 are dyed. 6 are stenciled, 3 ready to be heat set, the other 3 have to air dry/cure for 24 hours, then heat set. Hope to have the rest stenciled by tonight, so I can heat set them tomorrow.

They still need to be signed. Then the first 3 will be listed on Etsy, in the Shop, as reserved listings as per the list I have of who wants what.

The second run of Scarves was delayed by weather in Ca., so won't be here until Monday, whereupon they need washing, rinsing and soaked in soda ask solution overnight before they're dyed.

Those ones will be a pewter/silver stencil instead of gold, as they are the second run. 12 are still available in that run. Of course, if there are those of you who reserved one from the first run, who would prefer a pewter/silver one instead of gold, let me know. I know of one person off hand that wants one.

Technogoddess- you wanted one that was more burgandy/cranberry with as little rust orange tones as possible, yes? I think I have one that is perfect for you, if so.

If you have changed your mind and do not want one any longer, please let me know. If you want one, but can't get it immediately, that's fine, I have 2 others who want one but funds are tight, I can still do a reserved listing for you. I just ask that you please do not forget about it, and please purchase it within a reasonable amount of time(I'm sure we can all figure out what a reasonable amount of time would be}:) In otherwords, not 6 months or a year later.}:P). If unable to do so, let me know.

Thanks everyone, for both your patience and your generosity. Remember 50% of each sale, including s/h, goes to Akita Rescue in Dante's name.

Tomorrow will be 3 weeks exactly.



16 Memorial scarves have been reserved. I've got friends who haven't had much time to be online, just now finding out about Dante.

Then there's the friend on my LJ Friends List, who's going through losing a second pet and companion in as many years. To cancer, once again.

It seems like an awful lot of people are losing or have lost pets in just this month. It doesn't seem fair, somehow. Spring is supposed to be for renewal, not loss. Dear Life- You got it backwards, please stop now, ok?

A friend, Jodi from ARMAC, said to me yesterday, in an email, "Sometimes it just jumps up and bites you", referring to the loss of a beloved pet. It usually hits her, she says, in regards to losing a dog or a foster, when it's feeding time, and she realizes they aren't there anymore, again. It's those times, you need to just be good to yourself.

Monday, getting Dante's urn, made it all seem so final, so definite. I curled up on the bed around the box it was wrapped up in bubble wrap and still in. That was a Not So Good Day.

Tuesday, I woke up and was watching the Weather Channel before heading to the store, and briefly thought, it'd be a good day for Dante to spend sometime outside. Then it hit me again, that she's gone. That was a Not So Good Day.

Reading about Baxter this morning, made me cry again. Today is a Not So Good Day.

Tomorrow doesn't look much better.

Even with the 2 cats and 2 rabbits, it seems so damned empty here.

I miss her. I want her back so damned bad.