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Julio’s last diary entry—June 24, 2010
Dear Diary,
Things haven’t been too good lately. I still miss Coco and then my
sister Tasha died. I’m very tired and I don’t feel very well. My legs
hurt me a lot. I haven’t been very hungry lately either. Even some
of my favorite things like chicken and beef smell good but I really
don’t feel like eating.
Just a couple weeks ago I got two new brothers, Snoop and
Clayton. Clayton is an old guy like me, but Snoop is a kid. They’re
nice guys but mostly I like to be by myself. Mom and Dad want me
to hang out with them and I don’t want to hurt their feelings but I
think it’s about time for me to go. I heard them talking today and
they were saying the same thing. They’re worried that I’m suffering.
I know I’m going to go see the doctor later today. It’s hard to say
good-bye but I think I need to now. I’ll miss everyone here but I’ll
get to be with Coco again. I know he’s waiting for me. I was so
happy to see Teresa and Sharon the other day. They came to visit
me cause I think they know too that it is time for me to go. I won’t
be writing any more diary entries, so I want to thank everyone who’
s taken care of me all through my life, especially Teresa and all my
friends at CAPS where I lived for such a long time. I love you all.
~~Julio
4/20/2010
Dear Diary,
My brother Coco got really sick the last couple days. I’ve been
staying close to keep an eye on him. On Friday Mom and Dad
were crying and then the doctor came to the house. We all went
outside and Mom and Dad said the doctor was helping Coco go to
Heaven where he won’t be sick anymore. I’m really happy Coco
won’t feel sick again; he was having a lot of trouble breathing and I
was really worried. I guess Heaven is the best place to go if you’re
sick. I don’t know how long he’s going to be there though. I keep
waiting for him to come back. I’m hanging out mostly in the back
yard so I can know right away when he gets here. ~Julio
3/12/10
Dear Diary,
Coco had to go to the hospital.
I didn’t like that. It was like, all of a sudden he was gone. And he
was gone overnight. He wasn’t even back in the morning.
He just barely got back before dinner the next day!
I hated it.
So did Tasha and Lady. While he was gone, I heard Mom & Dad
talking…I didn’t catch everything, but I caught enough.
Coco’s face all of a sudden swelled up like if a Saint Bernard was
trying to look like Coco! That’s kinda funny. A Saint Bernard Coco!
Ha!
Except it wasn’t funny; it really was Coco, and that’s just… weird.
They were serious. And that was why he was gone! It wasn’t funny
anymore.
When he came home, I was like, “Dude, what are you doing?”
And he was all, “I dunno, Juli. I’m not doing this on purpose.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.”
“Dude, you look bad.”
“Juli, I feel bad.”
“But you went and got tested, right?”
“Yeah.”
“So what’s up?”
“I dunno. They said stuff about my kidneys.”
Kidneys!
Kidneys don’t grow back, you know.
No way.
They do their thing, filtering and stuff…
But if they quit?
Well… that’s like really not good.
Folks who adopt us older critters, even youngsters like Coco, only
8 years old…
They should get us tested. Find out where we stand on things.
I mean, maybe Coco’s condition could have been worked with, you
know?
Maybe he wouldn’t be so sick right now.
Moms and Dads can do things with what we eat so it’s not so bad
for us…
But only if they know what’s going on.
I’m sad for my bro.
2/17/10
Dear Diary, first, I want to say that this was NOT my fault. But Coco
and I
are in a bit of trouble.
We dogs have our own room where we eat and drink and our own
door to
get outside.
Well, inside this room is a small table that had a really big box of
cookies
in it. I know it was meant for us because even though I can’t spell
very well,
I know what D-O-G means. I was feeling like an afternoon snack
the other
day and I could smell these cookies and they smelled so good.
Now this is
where it’s not my fault. The box was open. That’s why I could smell
the
cookies so well. And I was hungry and on the box it said D-O-G
(me).
Soooo, I accidentally pushed the box off the table and tons of
cookies
landed on the floor. Coco came running to see what happened
and we just
looked at each other and decided we needed to get rid of the
evidence.
So we ate, and ate, and ate, right up until Mom and Dad came
home from
work.
We heard them coming and tried to eat even faster but we were
caught.
Mom and Dad said they knew it was me because there’s been a
box of
cookies in the same place for years (I think that is a really long
time),
and no one else had ever done that. I held fast that it was not my
fault,
but Coco looked so ashamed I finally admitted I did it.
The cookies are now somewhere else and I can’t see them, but I’m
pretty proud of getting to eat myself sick on cookies. Every dog
should get to do it at least once! ~~Julio
1/30/10
Trying to get back to “What’s it like to adopt an older dog / one
from CAPS /
or something like that…”
Dear Diary:
I was laying on the floor in front of Dad the other day. He thought I
was
asleep, and he said some interesting things while he was talking
with Mom.
“You know, I expected more problems when we adopted him.” “I
know. He’s
really adapted well – better than I thought.” “Yeah. Even after all
that time
in the shelter, he still knows what a house is, and a family…” “And
you can
tell he loves being part of a family again.” “Yeah, he’s settled right
in.”
“Didn’t take long at all.”
What? Did you think I’d been in prison or something?
I’m sorry… But sometimes that’s how we feel.
Those of us in the shelter I mean.
We don’t have tattoos; there aren’t any gangs; we don’t need
“rehabilitation,” whatever THAT means…
My Momma got sick, that’s all. She couldn’t keep me anymore.
And so, yeah, I spent a while “in the big house.”
But it’s a SHELTER – not a prison.
CAPS takes care of us when no one else can.
If they hadn’t kept me, I wouldn’t have ever had a chance…But
they did!
And so I did! And one day it happened!
I’m glad I’m home again…
I missed having a home.
I wish more people were willing to take a chance…
I wish I knew some way to say that…
Julio
1/14/10
Dear Diary,
Umm… It’s been a while now… and things have changed – again.
It was real exciting to come home with my new Mom & Dad – don’t
get me wrong…But I think there’s something about “holidays” that
I didn’t know. Like – they end.
I didn’t know that.
See… Mom & Dad brought me home while they were “on holiday,”
so they could be with me. That was great! :-) We hung out for a
while,
and I got used to my new home…And then there were some days
when they weren’t here, and I was sad…But then they were back
again!
Well… Dad was. Mom had to work some. I felt bad for her.
I don’t know what “work” is… but Mom had to go there, for like all
day…
Oh yeah – I wrote about that before.
Well it’s still true – I don’t get it.
I’m not dumb you know… But I just don’t get it.
Mom tries to explain, and so does Dad, but all I hear is “work” and
“bye-bye”…It makes me sad.
Well, that’s the thing, see.
I don’t know what “holidays” are either, but it seems like they’re
over.
Both Mom AND Dad have gone “back to work”…
It’s sad.
Me and Coco, and the girls… We’re all alone again most days.
I know Coco doesn’t like it – he trashed Dad’s office.
He dumped over the waste basket and spread tissues and
everything
all over the place! I was like “Dude, you are going to get in SO
much
trouble!!!” He was like “This is what I do when they leave me alone
and I’m not happy about it.”
And he didn’t seem at all sorry. It was like he was just saying “This
is what I think.”
So…I peed on the carpet, right by the front door.
Mom and Dad weren’t happy when they came home, I can tell you
that!
But they didn’t spank me either! I was surprised! Mom had a long
talk
with me… but she didn’t spank me.
I’m glad. I felt bad enough when she said “Ohhh Julio!!!…”
Even Coco felt bad when Dad said “Coco! What did you DO?!?” He
tried to hide, but he’s sorta too big to hide anywhere…
Dad found him… And Coco was all like “I’m sorry Dad. I was just
upset.”
Dad was like “I know… you big lunk.”
Anyway…I guess holidays are special, and don’t last forever.
That’s too bad. But maybe that’s what makes them special.
I’m glad I got to be here for them though. It was fun!
But now they’re over. And I’m trying to adjust.
And I’m trying not to pee except outside.
It’s hard to remember. You know how it is… You get older and
your memory goes fuzzy…I’ve… sorta disappointed Mom a couple
times…
But I’m trying.
And I think Coco is in trouble. He keeps trashing Dad’s office. Dad
says something about “separation anxiety” – whatever THAT
means…
But if Coco doesn’t straighten up pretty soon?
He’s gonna get spanked. I just know he will.
Hee! He won’t get any jerky treats! But I will! You watch! I’m gonna
be good – and I’ll get TREATS!
Sometimes being old and wise is a good thing! Hah – impetuous
brat.
He’s only 9. What does he know?!?
12/31/09
Dear Diary,
I don’t know what a “birthday” is… but I want one!
Today was really something! I got confused at first, but after a
while I
think I figured it out. See, this morning Mom & Dad were all like
“Happy
Birthday Coco!” And he was all smiles and stuff, and so we were all
smiles too. And they gave him extra treats left over from
Christmas…
and we got some too… and that was cool! And then Mom & Dad
were
talking about it, and that’s how I think I figured it out. So here goes:
Coco’s birthday is the last day in December. That’s also the day
that
Mom & Dad picked him up from CAPS, a year ago. So… He’s 9
years old,
but 1 year here at home. So it’s a time thing - I think. Like, they
say I’m
16. So I guess I have a birthday too? I hope so. (Nobody better
laugh at
me. I was in the shelter when all the other dogs were learning
algebra
and stuff.)
Anyway… Coco’s birthday was COOL! Mom & Dad were both
home, and
we got treats, and played with toys…
And then Dad? He cooked this monster steak for us for dinner.
Awwwrrr – I mean we’re talking BEEF here. It’s what’s for dinner! I
attached a picture…
I’ve been thinking about a movie they were watching, that Mom
said she
really liked.
I have to agree - It’s a good life.
December 28, 2009
Dear diary,
I like Christmas! I do! I mean… I really do! On the day of Christmas
eve?
Dad took Tasha away in the car. I didn’t like that. I was whining
before she
was even out the door. (I’ve seen lots of dogs go out the door,
leaving
me behind.) But Coco seemed Ok with it. He just sat at the window
and
watched. So I laid down.
Dad came back real soon – without Tasha. I was glad to see him,
but
secretly I was worried about where Tashy was…I mean, I don’t
know her
all that well, but she’s part of my new family… And I was worried.
After a while the phone rang. Dad said “Ok,” and he put on his
coat to go
out again. Coco and I tried to storm the door so at least maybe
one of us
could go with him, but he stopped us. “It’s Ok guys. I’ll be right
back.”
That’s all he said.
But then pretty soon? Dad came home with this real babe on a
leash! I
mean, you can call me old and stuff, but she was SO cute! And she
smelled SO good!
Coco was glad to see her and Dad… but I was all about the cutie. I
even
tried to do something … but she turned around and snarled at me.
And you know what? It turned out to be Tashy! She was all
washed, and
brushed, and had her hair cut. And she had this perfume! Heee!
She was
gorgeous!
And then we got some special treats because someone named
Santa
was coming. Coco and I looked at each other, and agreed we’d
bite him if
he came inside…
But in the morning? We hadn’t heard anything… but Mom had all
these
packages for us! Coco got a Red man to go with his Blue man, and
I got
a new chew toy. And there were lots of other things too!
I sorta lost track because there were lots and lots of treats! I mean,
it’s
hard to focus on who got what toy when you smell cookies – you
know?
Yup. I like Christmas! I must have been a good boy.
Dad says if you’re not good you get a lump of coal…But I got
treats! We
all got treats! In fact I think we’re going to have treats for like a
month or so…!
Heeee!
December 19, 2009
Dear Diary:
Wow! Last Saturday was really fun! Mom & Dad had something in
mind –
we knew that – but we didn’t know what.
First, Dad took Coco out on a leash, which made the rest of us
jealous.
(Yeah, I admit it…) But then he came back and took me out too! (I’
ll bet
Tasha really hated that! Hee!)
I had to walk up this ramp thing… which I really don’t like… but I do
it
because they hold this piece of jerky in front of my nose… and the
next
thing I know I’m being petted, and crunching jerky, and when I look
around - I’m in the car! (I don’t know how that works, but it’s Ok.)
Then we had a ride down to Wal Mart. (I don’t know what Wal Mart
is,
but Mom kept saying it, so I’m pretty sure that’s where I was…)
Next thing I knew? I had gone down that very same ramp thingee…
And
there were lots of my friends from CAPS!!!! Before I knew it, I was
saying
Hi! And they were all saying Hi!! And it was really nice! They all
smelled
SO good! And Teresa was there… and I just had to say Hi to her…
(I
missed my ‘Manda, but they said she was at the shelter, taking care
of the others. She’s so good at that!)
And then Coco started looking around, and he’s like: “Juli – look!
There’s
stuff everywhere! Let’s go check it out!” And so we started
snuffling around,
and dragging Mom pretty much as far as we could… But then Dad
showed
up, (I guess he’d parked the car), and so now we were one-on-one
and
it wasn’t so easy…
But me and Coco still got ourselves a good tour – and said Hi to
everyone
– even people we didn’t know! It was FUN!
Whew! We were there for like, I don’t know, a really long time. (Dad
told me
later it was an HOUR. I don’t know what that is, but he seemed
happy, so I was
happy too…) And then we went back home. Don’t tell anyone, but I
was sorta
tired when I got home. (Hee! But so was Coco!) We both took a
long nap…It was
quite a day…
December 12/13/09
Dear diary, Mom & Dad have both been pounding on these things
they
call computers today. I don’t know what they are exactly, but I don’t
think
they’ve been good. Especially Dad’s. He pounds on his pretty
hard, and
grumbles a lot. (I hope it straightens up pretty soon!) Anyway… I’
ve been
watching; and Mom? She said something about Christmas
presents. I like
presents! I do! Whether they’re munchy and crunchy, or bouncy
and
chewy – I like them all! But… Mom was looking at these flower
things…
And so was Dad, later on. (I have to find out what a centerpiece is, I
guess … they weren’t real clear on that.) But, here’s the thing: Why
would you want to send someone a thing they can’t eat – or play
with? I
mean, flowers?!? C’mon!!! They’re all pretty and stuff, I get that.
But they
go on the table, and I remember from WAY back that I’m not
supposed to
get on the table for anything… So… what good are they? Why
would
anybody want one? I know I’m new here, but I have to work on
Mom and
Dad and see if they can’t be trained a little better… If you’re going
to
send someone a present, it should be something they like…
12/11/09 Dear Diary:
Tonight was really different. As usual, Mom & Dad got home from
this
place called “work.” (I’m not sure where that is, but they go there a
lot,
like for all day. I don’t like it.) Anyway, they got home and started
cooking
things that smelled really good. And they made our dinner as
usual, and
we all like that, and then we get an after dinner treat crunchy
munchy
yummy thing, or sometimes two. (Hee!) And then we all go into the
TV
room and get scratches and cuddles… But that’s not what
happened!
They took all the good smelling cooking things – and left! Right
after our
munchy crunchys they just left! I was very confused. Coco was
downright
upset. He stared out the living room window and whined for a while,
then
he just laid down. So I laid down too. Didn’t seem to be much else
we
could do. Later on, like nite-nite time, they came home again! We
were
all real glad. But I noticed that the good smelling dishes they
brought
back? They were empty! We didn’t even get any! I didn’t tell the
others,
but I was sorta bummed about that. But then we finally got our
cuddles
on the couch, and then it was nite-nite time for real a little later.
It was a very strange night. They said something a few times about
a
pot-luck party, and I thought I smelled some scents of my friends
from
CAPS when they got home… I don’t know… It was all very
strange. Coco
and I agree though: This cold white stuff all over the ground? It has
people doing things they don’t usually do. Dad has this thing called
a
shovel that I have to stay away from… (Yawn…) … but it’s late,
and I’m
tired. Do you know that Coco snores? He does… but it’s Ok…
December 10, 2009
Dear Diary, things have been going great for me. I really believe
now
that this is my home forever. I love to hang out with my brother and
chew
our toys. My doctor told Dad that my teeth weren’t in great shape,
so I’m
showing him! I’ve already chewed through several toys. Mom says
she’ll
buy me more. I’ve been out playing in the snow and I really liked
that. I’m
still learning lots of things, like every treat that comes out of the
bag isn’t
mine. I have to wait my turn and then take it nicely. Mom says
“watch how
Coco does it’, then I remember. One of my sisters isn’t feeling very
well
and Mom has to feed her with a fork. Coco told me that it’s our job
to
watch and when the food falls on the floor, we run to clean it up. I’m
really good at this chore. I’m getting pretty used to the routine of my
Mom and Dad and I don’t worry so much anymore when to go to
work.
Ahhh…I think I’ll stretch out now and take a nap until dinner time.
~~Julio~~
December 3, 2009
Dear Diary:
“Hee! I gave Mom & Dad a real scare tonight! I didn’t mean to or
anything,
but I sure did. I’m sorta hard of hearing, see, and I was asleep
under
Dad’s desk in his office, all tucked nice and quiet like back in a
corner… Well, I didn’t hear them come home, so I just kept on
snoozing.
They called me, and looked ALL over the house, then out back,
then
inside again, then out back again… Dad even got this hand-held
thing
that shines light wherever he points it, and went out back and
walked the
whole length of the fence to see if I’d gotten out – and where. Mom
went
out to look again too. When they came back inside they were real
worried,
because they still hadn’t found me. Dad just happened to have
that light
in his hand when he came into his office, and it blared right in my
eyes! I
jumped, and he jumped, and he yelled “Julio! THERE you are!” I
got up
and grinned. Yup! Here I am! (He’s a smart guy, my Dad.) They
gave me
big hugs and cuddles and told me all about their adventures. If I’d
known
they would have so much fun playing hide-and-seek I would have
done
this sooner! I’ll have to think about what to do tomorrow… Who
says an
old dog can’t learn new tricks? I just did!”
December 2, 2009
Dear Diary, I had a real scare yesterday. Ever since I moved to my
new
house, Mom and Dad have been here with me. But yesterday they
got
up early and left after making my breakfast. They didn’t come back
for a
long time. I was so afraid I would never see them again. Then they
came
back and were happy to see me! And they were real proud of me
for not
making any messes in the house. Mom said they have to go
somewhere
called work but would always come back home. I was so relieved I
was
shivering all over. After dinner I felt all better and played with my
brother
Coco for a while then we took a nap; each of us cuddling up with
our toys.
This morning Mom and Dad left again, but I’m trying hard not to get
upset.
I know they’ll be back in a little while. ~~Julio
November 21, 2009
"Dear Diary, something amazing happened a week ago. Two
people
came to my home at CAPS and took me to their house. I thought
maybe it was a new doctor's office or something because other
dogs were there too. But then I had a great dinner and the new
people told me they were my new Mom and Dad! They said I was
going to live here forever! Now I have a brother and two sisters.
My brother told me he lived at CAPS for a little while. I think I
remember him. His name is CoCo and he likes me a lot. My sisters
think I'm ok, but they don't play much.
We've gone for a bunch of walks. There are so many new
things to smell and learn about. And I have a big back yard to play
in. My new house has a bunch of dog beds and I'm trying all of
them
for the best fit.
My back legs feel a lot better. Mom and Dad took me to the
doctor and we got stronger medicine to help me. Then I had to get
a bath. That scared me and I didn't like it, but when it was done I
got to come back to my new home. Dad told me CoCo waited at
the window and whimpered the whole time I was gone getting a
bath.
I get breakfast and dinner here with treats too! I like to hang out
in the kitchen with CoCo when Dad or Mom is cooking. I love the
smells and we usually get a quick bite of whatever it is. I miss my
friends at CAPS, but I'm really happy to finally have a home of
my own. I waited such a long time; I didn't think it would ever
happen.
But it did! I'm trying to be a really good boy so everyone likes me."
-- Julio
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