December 25, 2014 - September 29, 2022
“We who choose to surround ourselves with lives even more temporary than our own, live within a fragile circle; easily and often breached. Unable to accept its awful gaps, we would still live no other way. We cherish memory as the only certain immortality, never fully understanding the necessary plan."
I had just finished my last Chemo session and it was also my birthday.
John and I were celebrating with a late lunch at Red Lobster when I received an email informing us that Tesla has jaw cancer and her doctor said she has 6 - 18 months left.
John noticed my lips quivering and tears in my eyes and asked what was wrong. All I could say was "Tesla has cancer".
I could tell by the look on John's face, this news affected him as it did me.
I have been so strong and stoic about my own cancer ordeal, but hearing this news about Tesla brought tears to my eyes, something that hasn't happened even once with my own battle. We love Tesla so much and I thought it only right to dedicate a page to this sweet little girl.
Sweet baby TESLA. Such a beautiful and happy girl.
Tesla was born on Christmas Day 2014 along with 7 brothers and sisters.
Although their lives had a rough start, Tesla was given a second chance for a happy life when she was adopted by a wonderful loving family along with her litter brother Bentley.
Supposedly, their mama died from a tick related illness shortly after they were born. The owner did not want to spend the time needed to properly take care of them, so he started selling them right away. He claimed they were 8 weeks old, but I didn't believe it for it for a minute. I was sent a picture of the litter, they couldn't be any more than 4 or 5 weeks tops. Their eyes were still trying to focus and they looked as though they are still learning to walk. More curious things about the owner's story...He had no idea what breed the mama was, how old she was, how long he had her, when she died, how many puppies she gave birth to, he knew absolutely nothing. If I had to bet, I'd say he found a pregnant dog and thought he could make some quick cash with the puppies. After she died, he decided that selling the puppies right away would be the easiest way to put some 'Cha-ching' in his pocket.
What a worthless piece of garbage.
Tesla was the runt of this litter and her big brother Mineo was a trouble maker. He was always looking for someone to bother and he usually picked on little Tesla. When she was sleeping, he liked to grab her by the tail and drag her across the floor.
So I took the bull (Mineo) by the horns and started in trying to adjust his attitude.
He started picking on Tesla non stop, so I put him in the bathroom by himself. He hated it and screamed bloody murder, but it fell on deaf ears. He fell asleep and when he woke up I put him back with the others, he was very humble and did not try to fight anyone. Tesla however took the opportunity to get back at him and she jumped him and started beating up on him.
From then on, Tesla and Mineo actually became friends.
One day as I was coming out of the kitchen, I saw Mineo sleeping on the coffee table - oh no, no no Mineo.
Just as I was about to yell at him, Tesla appeared out of nowhere, grabbed Mineo by the tail and yanked him off of the table. He hit the floor like a safe. He sat there dazed for a few seconds, not having a clue as to what just happened. Tesla stood there slowly wagging her tail, obviously so proud of herself.
Tesla had quickly become my favorite. She is so sweet and friendly, but not kissy. Tesla always keeps her ears slightly back, wags her tail and looks like she has a huge smile on her face. Her eyes were always so warm and friendly. She is a talker, always greeted me with a big "Whaaaah".
Tesla quickly grew and was no longer the runt and became very good with defending herself.
Tesla was always so quick and agile, zipping from one end of the yard to the other, jumping over one obstacle after another. That girl loved to run!
She and Bentley became a bonded pair. Tesla looked out for Bentley and wouldn't let anyone pick on him. She was such a good sister.
After a few months of rehab, training and loving, the time had come to find Tesla and her siblings their new families.
Tesla gets swallowed by the evil Couch Crack
We had a bit of trouble finding homes for both Tesla and Bentley. It seemed as though nobody met up to our standards as the perfect homes. We rejected most of the applications on sight, the families just weren't right. The rest of the applicants were rejected after their visits. We needed the right families for these two unique and precious babies.
Before we knew it, Tesla and Bentley were the only ones left.
Being the only ones left, they had a lot of one on one time with us. Bentley became a snuggler, but Tesla preferred to sit with us and not on us.
She always sat in the background contently watching us. She was definitely an observer and not a participant. She had many moments where she wanted hugs and loving and she never had to ask twice. Once she got her fill of warm fuzzys, she would jump up, wag her tail and zing out to the yard for a few laps around the pool. When she was done with her race, she always came back to us for one more round of hugs and kisses.
One day an application came in. It was very promising and we were so excited to meet the family.
The family met Tesla and Bentley and after some off property discussion, they came back with the decision to adopt both Tesla and Bentley!
We were so happy!
We were sent several updates with pictures, all were wonderful. Their new family takes them on road trips in their motor home. We received pictures of the kids at the river having a wonderful time and making new friends.
Both John and I were so overjoyed that a perfect match was found for these wonderful little babies.
One day Tesla and Bentley's family brought them over for an afternoon visit. It was so good to see these babies again...especially for Otis.
Otis would always pick one puppy from each litter to be his slave to ear cleaning and Tesla was his pick from this litter.
He followed her around the yard cleaning her ears and wouldn't leave her alone.
She almost made it away from him once, but he slapped his paw around her shoulder and held her there. By this time, Tesla realized that she wasn't going to escape him, so she stood there patiently waiting for him to finish.
Bentley begged and begged for his ear cleaning turn and he finally got some much to Tesla's relief.
It was a wonderful visit, we loved seeing the babies again.
The visit was topped off with a trip to the goat pen so Tesla could meet Butkus the fainting goat.
Tesla had no idea what to make of this weird looking thing. It looked sort of like a dog, but she knew it wasn't. She couldn't think of anything to do, so she just stood there pointing at him.
We went for a visit after we found out about Tesla's cancer. We needed to see our little sweetheart again.
It was a bittersweet visit. Tesla was still as sweet and active as ever and one would never think there was something wrong that would shortly claim her life.
We had no idea this would be our last visit with our sweet baby Tesla.
Tesla -
As you cross the Rainbow Bridge into Puppy Heaven, we hope your thoughts are filled with how much you were and still are loved by so many and that will continue forever.
Although you will be dearly missed, we will always have the fondest memories of you.
Rest in peace, Sweetheart - We love you.
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