Chica – February 25, 2013 – June 20, 2019
On June 20, 2019 I had to say goodbye to my precious Chica. She was the love of my life for over 6 years. She found me in Mesa, AZ in February 25, 2013 and we were together until June 20, 2019 when I had to senT her to Doggie Heaven.
There were only a few days when we were ever apart. When I traveled to Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales as well as a few trips to visit family in SO CA. We traveled all of the West in our RV. I showed her many of the wonders of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington. We even traveled as far into Canada as Jasper.
She loved traveling in the RV and whenever we were driving she was always right on my lap. We went to places that were as warm as 115 degrees and as cold as -4 degrees. She didn’t care where she was as long as she was with me.
Every summer we spent 4 months at Lake Harriet, OR where I was the camp host. This was our fifth summer there. Sh loved it there and would never stray out of my campsite. She would lay in the sun and drink beer with me. I can’t remember when it started but when I would take a swig out of the bottle, she in turn would lick the inside and get a taste of the beer. This went on for many years. It got to be that if I took two swigs in a row without sharing it with her she would definitely let me know. That is true friendship.
Most of the time she never wore a collar and she would always stay right with me all of the time. She was a great companion!!!!!
In 2017 she had surgery on both her back kneecaps, which had come out of the sockets. From that point on I had to lift her up and down on the couch. This past winter, she would wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety attacks and would want to get up on the couch and then get down immediately. This would go on for about an hour. I took her to our vet and she noticed that her front leg was not right. She mentioned that this was a Neurology problem and recommended a specialist. I took her to the specialist and she thought that she might have a neck problem which caused the leg problem. However she quoted a price which was insurmountable. It would take almost all the earnings I made during the summer and then she couldn’t reassure me that it could also be Cancer. She was drawing blood from her for a test and she said her tongue turned purple, which is not normal. I took her to my regular vet and had her do a chest X-ray. Before she did the chest X-ray, she mentioned that she had a heart murmur. She showed me the chest X-ray and it showed that she had an enlarged heart. She probably had an enlarged heart due to loving me so much.
Then her leg began to get worse. It got so she could not put any weight on it without falling over. She could not pee or poop either as she would fall over. Plus she always had her tail between her legs, which was not like Chica. I decided that she had suffered enough and after loving and petting her for hours that night took her into the vet. I think she must have known I was helping her as she was calm the whole time she was in the vet, which was not normal for her.
I will always love my Chica and always used to call her “My Little “GURL”. I asked the vet for her ashes and I will bury them this spring with a beautiful yellow rose dedicated to her and our love.
I LOVE YOU CHICA !!!
Jimbo's Journeys 
Oh no! So sorry to get this news Jim! And what a sweet story you wrote about her. I’m sure you will miss her greatly. Sending you warm thoughts.
Are you at Lake Harriet this summer?
Marti and Charlie
Jim, I am so sorry to hear about your dear Chica. She wa such a precious little girl and a wonderful loving companion to you. I always enjoyed your posts and pictures of her so much. She will live in your memory always. Sending you healing prayers.
We are so sorry for your loss. Made tears come to my eyes. Chica had a charmed life with you as her Dad.
Linda and John.
Our Home Base http://www.jojobahills.com
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I am so sorry for your loss, Jim. Chica was a sweet “GURL” and will always have her paw prints on your heart. She is waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge and you will be together again someday.
Oh Jim I am so sorry! I’ve been reading your blog for a long time and my favorite stories are always the posts that are about or include Chica. Such a heartfelt tribute to such a loving friend and companion.
I am so sorry, Jim. Little Chica had the best life ever with you.
Much love to you in your grief with Chica. It’s the hardest thing to lose our furry soulmates. She will still be around you in spirit, I know. Andrea
Hi Jim,
While sorry to read of your beloved Chica’s passing, grateful for the years of memories you’ll have forever. We were fascinated by her at Qsite and she always made friends.
/Best wishes kind friend!!/
Jack & Jeannette Walker Brea, CA / Chattanooga, TN / Cuba
Just returned from 12 day ministry trip with team of 6 to 27 churches/villages in Central and Western rural Cuba. *Experience of a lifetime!*
I’m so terribly sorry for your loss. My beloved toy poodle went everywhere with me for 12 years until she had an unexpected heart attack. It was devastating, so I understand how you’re feeling. You & Chica were lucky to have found each other & you will be together again one day.
Sweet thoughtful words about Chica. Blessings to you because we do understand the loss of a dear furry friend. Sitka 1 understood us and our loss of his love was great. Now Sitka 2 has filled our hearts and shares space there with Sitka 1. Thank goodness for pets. Ann & Chuck
Sent from my iPhone
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I’m so sorry over your loss of China. I recall when my son’s dog died as I was devastated! You’ll meet up with Chica a long time from now! Your statement brought tears to my eyes. Good talking with you Jim. Take care!
So very, very sorry to hear about your loss. We know what it’s like to have to make the hard decision. Take care.
I am so sorry to hear about Chica, Jim.
Jim I’m so sorry to hear about your little Chica. She was a great companion for you and you will miss her greatly. But remember the good times you had with her.
Dear Jim! Chica made her way over the rainbow. You loved her and she loved you so much. 18 months ago we lost our Molly. And just as you suffer through your loss we did too then. Having and loving a dog is the most wonderful thing on earth. But that also means that the last day we have together with them will be the worst day in our life. At least that was the way we felt it several times with the dogs which had been our companions. It is saying “Goodbye and Thank You” which is so very, very hard, maybe expecially because we feel that great responsibility for our dog-companions. Dear Jim, let this not be the end of you having a dog. Just like Chica needed you, there is another dog out there in need for you. Look for that new companion, which needs your care and make that dog a Happy Camper. After Molly, we found Dixie and she is adorable in her own way. We wish you luck in your search for that new furry friend. And I hope we will meet again some day.
Peter and Bea
Oh, Jim!!! I am so sorry to read about Chica. She was so beloved by you; she had a wonderful life, which she obviously enjoyed to the fullest. I have lost six doggy pets over the decades, and each one still has a soft place in my heart.
You had a wonderful life together; it really came clear in your blog posts. My sincere condolences for this devastating loss.
Virtual hugs,
Judie
I am so sorry for your loss. Be kind to yourself as you mourn. Sending hugs 💔💔💔
I’ll say it one more time:
“I love Chica!”
😦
Via con Dios Chica. Be well Jimbo.
We are so sorry for your loss. You were wonderful to her and she loved you for it. I remember when you told about finding her by the dumpster in Arizona. That was the beginning of a great life together. Her love for you will never leave.
Take care,
Janet
I am so sorry to hear this sad news. I know how much you loved that little gurl and how you were her whole world. My heart aches for you and I’m sending you hugs and prayers for comfort at this sad time.
Oh, Jim, we are so sorry to read about Chica. We know how much you loved that little girl and know you must be missing her terribly. She was lucky she found you and had such a good life all these years. Happy that we got to spend time with her and share some beers 🙂 We always laugh when we think about her following Sophie around. You’re in our thoughts
I remember the day you called me and said this sweet little dog is roaming around the rv park and appears to be homeless..and we chatted and said just put out the word in the campsite to see if anyone is looking for her.. that day forward were the best days of her life and yours as well! she was full of personality and love and couldn’t of been cuter! she was the best little companion and traveler. And so funny when she would come to our house and she would take over Landos big bed in front of the fireplace forcing Lando to curl up in her tiny bed. You were the best daddy to her ever! xoxo
So sorry, Jim.
Our Gopher turned 15 this past January. Struggling with congestive heart failure. I feel your pain.
Ed and Carol
Oh Jim, I am so awfully sorry. It happens that I had to put down my beloved chi/doxie mix, Sophie on June 18. She had non-treatable cancer. She traveled with me for the last 9 1/2 years. These special girls leave a hole in our heart as deep as the grand canyon. I grieve with you. Their loss hurts so much, but is worth all the love and companionship they give. PamP
Heartfelt hug of sympathy over your loss of a very special family member is extended to you over the miles. She was well loved and apparently knew when she ran into your RV that is was going to be her home. It’s hard to lose our furry framily, but you gave her the best!
Sending a Big Hug!!
Hi Jim, how are you? We are down to the south again and heading home now. We once met in Quartzsite! Am missing you here.