When Aunt Crazy Pants was fighting her fierce battle with fucking cancer, she told family to think of her every time we saw a cardinal after she passed. I took that advice and ran – it’s the best thing of my day when I see a red bird. And somehow, it always comes at a time that I’m trying to make a decision or on the verge of a panic attack. Funny how the universe works.
See a cardinal, think of me.
My Iowa twins also took that advice and sprinted. Announcing whenever they would see a cardinal that it was ACP.
Birds of a feather.
But Princess B, especially, took to the notion.
If you’re gonna go, go all in.
This ties to the passing of my beloved sidekick, Precious the Chug. Presh (or Pweshy as the twins called her) was always a welcomed joy to my Iowa duo. Luckily she didn’t mind getting gussied up to impress her fashion upon them when we would head up to see the twins.
All glittered up and ready to go.
A nine-hour drive never deterred this dog’s ability to behave.
World’s Greatest Traveler.
It was a maulfest as soon as we’d arrive to the Iowa palace where my twins reside.
Hands on.
The squeeze.
One of their favorite parts of seeing Presh was walking her out and around the neighborhood.
Dynamic duo dog walkers.
Princess B always had to have alone time with her fave chug.
Walk Solo.
She’d be upset when we’d leave (I mean, what’s not to miss people), and it would tug at my heart strings something fierce. A video like the one below had me wanting to pack up my rust bucket and drive non-sensibly to Iowa from Nashville.
Luckily, it was time for Dada CBXB and myself to fly our sleigh in for Christmas shortly after receiving the tearful action shot of my takes-after-me-in-the-drama-department niece.
We’re baaaaaaaaaaack!
Precious was just so pleased.
Obviously.
A look of love.
Also, a look of hate.
We continued to change outfits and make a model of my canine.
Poser.
P was even fortunate enough to ride shotgun in Princess B’s new ride.
Cruisin’ for a bruisin’.
And then there was Presh’s cousin, Spike, who like everyone else before him fell in love with my little Ewok.
My horse-sized dogphew.
Spike and I have always had a tight bond, being the crazy animal lover that I am, letting him love attack me whenever he deemed necessary.
Snuggle buddies.
Dance partners. I took the lead, naturally.
Once Spike laid eyes on Precious, it was L.O.V.E.
A hard, romantic comedy type of love.
He barely left her side for a second, attentively watching P’s every move.
Making sure she was properly seated for all meals.
Letting her use his new Christmas bone first.
When it was clearly meant for a dog of a much larger stature.
When Presh had enough, she would sit on her throne and watch Spike roam around the couch, anticipating her jump down.
Waiting out the horse dog.
Preshy was already a member of the family because she was basically my fur covered spawn.
She cocktailed with us.
She cheersed with us.
She watched movies with us.
She played in the snow with us.
She dried off at the kitchen bar with us.
She forcefully posed with us.
In between visits, we’d Facetime with the kids and they always needed to know what the fuck Presh was up to (along with my other four fur kids). This past March, the Prince and Princess graced Nashville with their presence and you can guess who had the pleasure of being the guest of honor.
All tucked in.
All tuckered out.
Cuddle chug.
Walk Solo round two.
When we suddenly lost Precious a month ago, there are no words for the way my heart ached (and still does). But I don’t think anyone realized how hard it would smack Princess B. The day she found out, I was ordered to send all photos and videos I had of the chug to Sister CBXB for memories.
R.I.P. Sweet P.
When she was told that one day she would see Presh again (like in 140 years when my mini me passes away and reunites with all animals she’s loved), Princess B replied, “Yeah. AS A STUPID CARDINAL.”
Oh the reasoning of kids.
Yesterday, the twins were out walking their horse dog.
Spike is more manageable now that the kids are taller.
Princess Prance.
After getting these pics, I couldn’t help but smile that they were having fun with my dogphew. Then, this text came in from Sister CBXB.
I died. I laughed. I cried. A legacy left by Aunt Crazy Pants has now lead to comfort in areas of grieving for my little loves.
Maybe Princess B doesn’t think cardinals are so stupid after all.
I sure the fuck don’t.
CBXB
Cowboys and Crossbones 