Tito ~ Our inspiration and teacher

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

The beginning seems proper … I was guided to find Tito at the Camarillo, CA animal shelter. It was destiny from the start. A little history of our first encounter for you: There were four people who wanted to adopt him and 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 hoping to have their names drawn. I made the decision if I were the fortunate individual to have their name drawn that I would forgo the ‘winning’ and give the 6 week old pup to this family.

Why? Because I believed at that time every child deserves to have puppy. When I heard my name being 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 get back in 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 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 innto the dog I knew in my heart he really was. My other commitment to Tito was 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.

Definitely 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 Apsley Ontario more than once and 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 life friends and associates would say “I want to come back not just as a dog but 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 choice of homes; so to find out just eight weeks after moving into our new home 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 Thanksgiving day will never be the same.

Thinking back to what the dog trainer had told me "The two dirtiest words are 'what if'"; so I made sure in my approach to supporting Tito through his fight 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 go back to the angelic realm.

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

Thank you for reading and learning about Tito, he has now touched your heart as warmly as he touched mine.