rêve girl: Ode to Vida

On September 20, 2002, a very sweet girl named Vida came into this world...

Her mama and papa were looking for an addition to their family and they knew Vida would be that certain special someone they needed.

Let's pause for a moment and adore baby fila brasileiros. I mean really, the loads of skin and big ears, just too cute!

Ah.

Just in case you need another example of cute puppy fila, here you go...

Everybody now... ah!

I met Vida a little while later as she came bounding into a hotel room after her big brother Ukiah who I've mentioned before... It seemed like at the time he was rather annoyed by the wee tyke bouncing around him but they soon became great friends. They spent many years doing what fila's do... basking in the sun and in their case, watching their mama and papa surf...

Ukiah (in back) and Vida chillaxin at the beach

Along their beautiful lives, a little accident happened and as explained before, Fynn came into the picture. For that I'm eternally grateful as this lovely gal not only carried my sweet girl but she took good care of her as a wee pup.

Vida taking care of her two pups.

Since then, my partner and I have had the pleasure of hosting Miss Vida at our "retirement home" (as we have a bunch of "senior" dogs) for the past two summers. We spoiled Vida with lots of love and a few other treats:

Trips to the beach in Neah Bay. I imagined this felt like a bit of home being back on the beach...

We enjoyed our evening constitutionals in the nearby cemetery as well as walks to the dog park and camping trips...

Tuckered but happy Vida at Magnuson dog park

We also enjoyed a lot of rest and relaxation!

I always thought this was such an attractive photo. Pretty girl. We always took lots of pictures to keep her mama aware of our adventures.

As fate would have it, my darling niece Vida passed this Monday, March 4, 2013. Her mama made the brave and humane decision to end her pain as she was suffering a great deal from cancer. I can only hope that I will be as wise and brave to make that call if necessary in the future. She passed in Jennie's loving arms with her papa looking on and me calling to her from afar to join me for a walk.

As my heart is still breaking, I am remembering the beauty that was Vida. She was such a strong girl. She was the ultimate princess as her papa spoiled her from day 1. She had her mama wrapped around her little finger as she was treated like a queen every day. She was stubborn (such a fila) and there was so much humor in that. Vida would talk to you and tell you a story about her day when you got home... talk and talk and talk... She would also curl up and loved to be a "Vida burrito" under her blanket where her nose would be bunched up against the side of the bed.

Yesterday morning as I was getting ready for my day, I asked Vida to send me some signs from her just to comfort me. Later on that day, my Pandora station flipped to the following...

Van Morrison's "Tupelo Honey". Vida and Ukiah were raised hearing Van Morrison's sweet refrains echo through their home or be the soundtrack to their road trip. The lyrics touched my heart and made me think of Vida...

She's as sweet as tupelo honey

She's an angel of the first degree

She's as sweet as tupelo honey

Just like honey from the bee.

And then I smiled through tears realizing, "my goodness, she certainly thinks highly of herself!" That's my Vida. I love her and miss her terribly. I know she knows and is watching over us now.

Vida Pita, know that you are loved even still and always. Know that I'm forever grateful for the gift of my darling Fynn and for the blessing your life has been to me.

Love, your Auntie