Four Dogs, a History in Pictures

Wilson the Lhasa-Cavalier, very good boi
Wilson dog, the sweetest. Epilepsy and a too big heart took him at 12 in 2016.
Wilson.
Wilson.

Wilson came with Bert, my ex. He helped Bert survive the end of a relationship for a couple years before I showed up. He was our mutual best friend for six years until his health troubles overtook him. RIP sweetest boy.

Toki Wartooth, the extremely not ferocious, goofy, anxious boy. Havanese, adopted approx. 3 yrs old, late 2016.
Toki, still with us! Aug 2024.
Found Toki at petfinder.com in 2016. He was rescued along with other Havanese and Yorkies from a puppy mill.
Toki. Still a nervous boy these days, but much improved.

Goofy fella. Sticks his head out car window whether it’s 25 degrees or 85! (I draw a line at under 25 and over 85 but he is not happy about it.) Would not harm the smallest thing (at least not on purpose). Likes to say hi to strangers but prefers to keep it to a short interaction generally.

Toki was named Buttons when we got him, but I had picked out the name Toki and it suits him entirely. The full name Toki Wartooth comes from a terrible cartoon about a heavy metal band (Metalocalypse), but Toki is the sweet, naive guitarist character, without guile. Toki the dog was an only dog for about 5 months before we adopted Dexter.

Dexter Dog, a very big Shi Tzu, adopted approx. 3 yrs old 2017. Dexter was the name he came with. I always said he was a Dexter’s Laboratory type and not that other Dexter.
Dexter was adopted at a Petsmart store event. There was a long line hoping to adopt this guy but we were first!
We were warned he barked at night and could be reactive to dogs, but who is perfect? We did not say no. He met Toki at the event and came home the same day.
He did bark at night for a long time, and it was hard, but did not last forever.
Dexter and Toki. Sometimes friends, sometimes not so much.
Dexter and Toki, so much trouble! Would not trade it.

We moved out on our own and the owner of my construction office agreed to let them come to the office every day. It is a perk of enormous value and I know I am lucky

Dexter, lost at 9 yrs old, Dec. 2023.

My grumpy loyal friend, gone suddenly and too soon. I made an overly long remembrance video for Dexter and put it on YouTube.

RIP Dexter, miss you lots.

Stella Belle. Adopted Feb 2024 from a Havanese rescue group found online. She came from a horrible Amish puppy mill in Ohio. (I’m told some are worse than others but overall they are very bad. And sad.)
I chose a Havanese in hopes the new friend would be a great friend to Toki. Though, I think Stella may be part Bichon or part Maltese. Her foster mom named her Feebi, but I was looking for a Stella and she is it!
Toki and Stella. Stella was understandably afraid when she arrived, and the three of us had a rough week or so. But she found the stairs up to the bed, claimed my favorite blanket as her own, and settled in.
Toki and Stella are good friends now, just like I hoped.

So many haircuts! Expensive. May purchase clippers and give it a try, but these two are squirmy. Fortunately we do not demand perfect hair in this household. I will say I told myself no more longhair dogs but then adopted Stella anyway. :-)

When I think back on Stella’s rough early days it’s hard to believe this hilarious demanding dog is the same one!

Stella gets away with LOADS , partly due to genetic cuteness overload. Has Toki wrapped around her tiny paw and has stolen most hearts at the office as well.

Wow this post is way too long but I’m hoping it may help me get back to a really big painting I started last year, and which includes all four puppers listed above.

Hopefully next time (and soon), I’ll work on and post the painting, whether finished or still in progress. Thanks for dropping in… and making it to the end!

5 thoughts on “Four Dogs, a History in Pictures”

  3. Sheri Pitler

    Nice to see you! Love your dogs, sorry about your loss. I lost one as well; down to 2 chis now. Big hole in my heart. Hope to see your painting soon. Best Wishes!

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