Our Inspiration ~ Tito

Where to start with Tito’s journey here on Earth?

The beginning seems proper. I was guided to find Tito at the Camarillo, California, animal shelter, and it was destiny from the start. A little history of our first encounter for you: There were four people who wanted to adopt him, so the clerk put all four names into a hat; the one she drew would be the lucky guardian over this precious angel. While waiting, I remember a mother with two children who also hoped to have their names drawn. I made the decision if I were the fortunate individual to have her name drawn, I would forgo the “winning and give the six-week-old pup to this family.

Why? Because I believed at the time that every child deserves to have a puppy. When I heard my name called I couldn’t believe it; as I walked in I overheard the mother rudely telling the clerk, “The woman obviously isn’t here anymore – so the dog should go to us!” As the clerk was trying to explain the procedure of giving the individual a few minutes to respond and return from potentially another part of the shelter, the mother continued to cut her off and inject her thoughts of how it “should” be done. It was at that point I changed my mind and accepted the amazing gift and responsibility of caring for the new addition to my family – Tito!

That was February 16, 1999, and for the next seven-plus years Tito challenged me to rise above the norm and the expected regarding dog care and what people expect of human/animal relationships.

Tito was certainly a handful, and there were times when I thought twice about my decision. But I persevered, and in hindsight I wouldn’t change a thing about our lives together. Being a first time dog owner, I sought the support of a professional dog trainer to work with me and teach me how to work with Tito. My intention was to allow him to grow into the dog I knew in my heart he really was. My other commitment to Tito was that no matter what he did or didn’t do that day, I never went to sleep without telling him what an amazing being and wonderful dog he was. Through my own personal growth experiences, I knew by holding the intention of what I desired that if it was in the best interest of all those involved it would become a reality and fully manifested. Four years later and watching Tito interact with every person he met with love and joy, I knew my dream of Tito becoming this amazing and wonderful dog had been realized.

Through a little blood, some sweat, and a lot of tears, Tito had proven my heart’s desire right. Tito went everywhere with me. My parents would comment, “If Tito had air miles, he would have racked up more than the average human.” I took him to my home town of Apsley, Ontario, more than once, as well as all the way to St. John’s, Newfoundland one fall. Tito had put a paw in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans! He was a dog that lived the kind of life that friends and associates would say, “I want to come back not just as a dog, but as Karen’s dog!” While I worked at the private school I would bring Tito to spend the day with me at the office, which also included going to meetings. Everyone there loved him and enjoyed his energy. When my husband and I decided to move to Oregon from California, the idea of giving Tito the yard he deserved was the priority in the choice of homes. So to find out just eight weeks after moving into our new home that Tito was diagnosed with bone cancer came as an unbelievable shock to everyone, especially me! Our history together seemed like it was just getting started, and I couldn't believe I was going to have to say good-bye to him already. It was Thanksgiving 2005; for me, Thanksgiving Day will never be the same.

Thinking back to what the dog trainer had told me ("The two dirtiest words are 'what if'"), I made sure in my approach to supporting Tito through his fight that he received the best of both Eastern and Western medicines. I provided the necessary pain control approaches: radiation, acupuncture, Chinese herbs, flower essences, crystal elixirs, and Reiki, plus traditional pain medications. I made sure there were no what ifs. It took seven months for Tito to pass on the wisdom necessary for me to realize the purpose behind the cancer. When he felt I was ready – strong enough – he asked to be assisted in going back to the angelic realm.

It was the last gift he would be able to give me, this ability to truly trust what my inner guidance was telling me. And it was the last gift I was able to give to Tito, that gift of freedom from the pain. Ironically, Tito didn’t stop teaching or inspiring me: Therapy in Transition is proof of his legacy and wisdom.

Thank you for reading and getting to know Tito. I hope he has now touched your heart as warmly as he touched mine.