2.14.2010

February 14, 2010








White Dog's Gotcha Day is today. It was five years ago that a tiny white ball of fluff weighing 1-1/2lbs boarded a plane by herself and flew to us from Kansas. She arrived to an eight-page list of names that Steve had prepared drawing from Eskimo, German, Folkloric, and Literature traditions but when I first held our precious newbie in my arms and looked into those dark pools of timidness and love, she instantly became "Siku," an Athabaskan word meaning "ice" for she had melted the ice that had protected my heart from the pain of losing Sheena to cancer months before. It is our ritual on Gotcha Day to cuddle in the morning and retell the story of White Dog's choosing and how she came to us. We exchange presents of love (she got a yogurt bone and a set of stuffie bees that hide in a hive; she gave Steve a "wrist collar," an onyx inlaid id bracelet, and we all gave Michael his very first electric shaver). Later, today Gregg, Candace, Dragon, and Richard will join us for a Cuban Fiesta to celebrate with happy music and good food. Each of you will be with us in spirit as we rejoice in the wonderful Universe that put us all together...into a family.
Happy Valentine's Day, my friends! May your heart be warmed by love, your ears filled with the sweet sounds of caring, and your eyes know the beauty of making someone special smile.

16 comments:

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Happy Gotcha Day to Siku - we know how special she is to you!!!

Happy Valentine's Day.

Woos, Phantom and Thunder

Suka said...

hey Siku Marie,

Happy Gotcha Day! What a beautiful post! I love all the photos of you! You are so adorable, no wonder you melted your mom's heart.

I love your "Gotcha Day" tradition. It is heartwarming to hear your story, and how you and your family celebrate your life. Your wrist collar sounds beautiful.

Enjoy all your yummy Cuban food! Thank you for letting me be with you in Spirit on your special day. I wish I could be with you for real.

Have a very sweet Valentine's Day!

Suka

Remington said...

Happy Gotcha Day AND Happy Valentine's Day!

Hansel said...

hurrah for siku! it was a joyous day for all!

D.K. Wall said...

Woo - Happy Gotcha Day. Those are the most fun to celebrate.

Cappy the Eskie said...

Hi Siku - Happy Gotcha Day and Valentine's Day. The afghan looks so much better with YOU on it.

Hugs and yips,
Cappy (and Oliver too)

Teddy Bear said...

Happy Valentine's Day, Siku and Happy Gotcha Day!!! What a wonderful day of celebration for you.:) I love that you got to ride on an airplane all by yourself. Enjoy the great Cuban food and the love of your friends and family on this special day.:)

Love,
Teddy Bear

Coffee Talk with Shar said...

Happy Gotcha Day Siku. Your name is so fitting because you have melted so many hearts, including ours.
Eski and Terrier hugs,
Prinnie and Digby

Lacy said...

woofs, happy gotcha Day Siku...u can tell how much love u have for each other...me wishes u many many more gotcha days..

b safe,
~rocky~

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Happy Valentine'sGotcha Day!

What a pawesome post with great pikhs!

Your celebration sounds inkhredible!

Thanks fur the official transport inspirational charm - it made it's maiden voyage on Sunday!

Mom will always drape it ovFUR the mirror fur all of her transports!

I hope will enjoy riding along!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Amy & the house of cats said...

We are so far behind but we wanted to wish you a belated Happy Gottcha day!!

Casper and pals said...

Hope you had a Happy Gotcha Day Siku!

And how fitting that your Gotcha day is on Valentines Day -the day of love!

Casper said...

Belated Happy Gotcha day Siku! Your pictures are soooooo cute. So cool about your name and everything. You are definitely special to us all.

We are working on your dollie so it will be on its way soon.

Sagira said...

Happy belated gotcha day!

Prints the Cat said...

Ohhhh, I see the blankie that Cappy's Mom made!

TwoSpecialWires said...

We are so sorry we've fallen so far behind. You are the first we've chosen to visit ... catching up is a daunting task. We just want you to know that we are celebrating White Dog's Gotcha Day belatedly. We hope it was very special. We are pretty doggoned sure it was!

Love
Jake and Fergi xxoo