She Was a Good Dog ...

Kodi
OAFS Photo

The Nuke called me around eight o'clock Monday morning, she was on her way to the veterinarian as one of her dogs, one of our granddogs, had collapsed that morning and her prognosis didn't look good. When the vet's office tells you that they would try and keep your four-legged family member alive until you get there, that's not good.

Our dear granddog, Kodi, passed before The Nuke could get there.

We are devastated. Kodi, and her sister Bear, have been so much a part of our family for over a decade that it feels as if an important part of our lives has been ripped away.

Kodi patrolling grandma's garden a few years back.

OAFS Photo

Kodi and her sister Bear.
OAFS Photo

We're really worried about how Bear is going to react to Kodi's absence, the two have been inseparable for Kodi's entire life (Bear is a year older than Kodi). Bear always looks for Kodi when she's off at the vet's office or even if she's just sleeping in another part of the house.

Kodi on her Throne at Grandma's House
OAFS Photo

Kodi and Bear
It is dinner time, is it not?
OAFS Photo

Kodi, probably looking for Bear
OAFS Photo

Kodi checking for crumbs
(The grandkids had just had snacks in the living room.)
OAFS Photo

Kodi inspecting the lawn.
(Shouldn't you cut this, Grandpa?)
OAFS Photo

The last time we visited Maryland, two weeks ago, when I was petting Kodi, I told her to hang in there as long as she could.

Lord knows, she tried.

She was a good dog.

We will all miss her so much.

Sleep, dear Kodi, we'll see you again some day ...

Damn it ...

Source

Late night texts are never a good thing.

My old boss texted me Thursday night to let me know that the police were doing a wellness check on a fellow lab rat. Guy I've known for a very long time. Fellow Vermonter.

The next day she called me, the police found him, dead, at home.

Losing people sucks.

Farewell Doug, you were a damn good man.

Man, I am all f**ked up.

Ave Atque Vale

Source

I knew his real name, Dave Mustar, here on the blog, we knew him as Dakota Viking.  He's the #1 Nozzleman in the photo above. He's also here in the USS Carl Vinson's cruise book from 1989-1990.

Source

I hadn't heard from him in a while, I had a quick note from him a while back telling me that he'd been busy but had some more stories to share.

Gonna have to wait a while for that. David died quietly, in his sleep, on the 23rd of February, 2026. A friend of his, JK, left the message of his passing in yesterday's comments.

I'm going to go back and read some of those posts he shared with us, you can too if you click on the Dakota Viking label over on the right.

I think I'm going to take some time away from the blog for a bit. Cuppla days at least, maybe longer. This is going to take some time to process. I think I've got one more post he sent me that I haven't published yet. I need to find that. But for now ...

I am saddened by his passing.

Ave Atque Vale

Through many countries and over many seas

I have come, Brother, to these melancholy rites,

to show this final honour to the dead,

and speak (to what purpose?) to your silent ashes,

since now fate takes you, even you, from me.

Oh, Brother, ripped away from me so cruelly,

now at least take these last offerings, blessed

by the tradition of our parents, gifts to the dead.

Accept, by custom, what a brother’s tears drown,

and, for eternity, Brother, ‘Hail and Farewell’.

(Source)

Atque in perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale ...

Rest in peace, my brother in arms. Rest in peace.

And this is the 16th anniversary of my Dad's passing. Not feeling anything right now, just an aching void ...

There are no words ...

She was a tough little girl.

She held on much longer than I expected, but ...

On Tuesday at 0920, she went to join her sister.

Farewell Anya, you take a piece of our hearts with you.

Until we meet again, my sweet baby ...

Going sinker for a while, don't know how long. The Missus Herself and I are devastated. We shared our lives with her for almost twenty years. Nothing will ever be the same again ...

In Memoriam ...

Valory

I learned Thursday that one of those "best friends I've never met," as Lex called them, passed away on Wednesday.

Valory was a gem, she was ever cheerful, she never commented here but commented often over on FB.

I shall miss her a great deal.

With apologies to Gaius Valerius Catullus¹ ...

Ave Atque Vale

Through many countries and over many seas

I have come, Sister, to these melancholy rites,

to show this final honour to the dead,

and speak (to what purpose?) to your silent ashes,

since now fate takes you, even you, from me.

Oh, Sister, ripped away from me so cruelly,

now at least take these last offerings, blessed

by the tradition of our parents, gifts to the dead.

Accept, by custom, what a brother’s tears drown,

and, for eternity, Sister, ‘Hail and Farewell’.

(Source)

Farewell Dear Lady.

¹ For he spoke of the loss of a brother, I modified the poem to speak of the loss of a sister.

It's All Too Much

(Source)

Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters has died ...

This band has been a huge part of my life for a decade, now everything is in the wind.

I need some time to process this ...

My creativity has flown.

Please bear with me.

Cold day in the sun indeed ...

RIP Taylor, see you on the other side, man.

It Was Too Soon...

The cat in the picture, that's our Sasha. We had the pleasure of her company for almost eighteen years.

She's gone...

My heart has gone with her...

I will be taking some time away from the blog...

I just don't have it in me at the moment...

This pain shall pass, eventually...

Adieu my sweet baby, I will miss you until we meet again on the other side...

My sweet Sasha Bear...