This is Ti.
Ti’s real name is Tiberius, but he doesn’t know that. I don’t often tell people his real name, because they usually ask if he was named after Captain James T. Kirk of the Starship Enterprise, and I am a terrible liar. They never seem to buy the Roman Emperor thing. Anyway.
This is what Ti looks like now, more or less. Maybe a bit more grey in the muzzle. Sugar Lips.
He is 4.5 years old, he’s an American Mastiff, no, I don’t have a saddle for him, yup, he eats a lot, no, he won’t eat your dog, nope, not your small children either, sorry I can’t help you out there.
Ti has cancer.
But that isn’t what this post is about. This post is about Ti the dog. Not Ti the Dog with Cancer, or Ti the Dog who is in an Incredible Amount of Pain. This post isn’t even about Ti the Dog Whose Person is Terrified About Having His Leg Removed but Is Even More Terrified to Lose Him. This is just about Ti the dog.
Ti came home to me as a big fat meatball with a smushy crinkled face.
This is what he looked like the day I met him, when he was 4 weeks old. This also marks the last time I was able to lift him. Ok, not really. That was a couple of months later.
When Ti got home, he met his “big” Brother, Kingston. Now we just say Kingston is his “older” brother.
He also met his sisters, Ava and Zofia.
And eventually gained another brother, Milo, the foster failure
.
Ti grew, and he grew. When he was all done, he was the biggest being in our house at 220lbs. Roughly half of that is his head. I’m only sorta exaggerating.
Like most dogs, Ti enjoys the finer things in life. Digging in the trash can, peeing on things, waking us up at 3 am to poop, and his all time favorite, laying in the middle of the floor in the dark so you trip over him, and flail around like a drunken ballerina trying not to kill yourself or land on him. You know, fancy stuff. He’s thoughtful too, saving me from having to open the bag of dog food by opening it all by himself. Moving the couch while we are sitting on it, so we don’t have to bother ourselves moving it for him. Helping people stay in shape by drooling in their bowl of m&ms. That’s just the kind of guy he is.
Ti is also the kind of guy that doesn’t ask for a whole lot. He likes his crappy bed, and eschews the nicer ones. He doesn’t care much for toys, won’t beg for your food. He loves his cuddles, but won’t pester you for more when you need to do something else. He is friendly but not overbearing, protective but stable, slow to anger and easy to please. The only thing that gets him howling is when someone has the audacity to leave him outside for periods exceeding 3 minutes.
Ti is the kind of dog that makes you want to do anything you can to save him. And that is what we are going to do.
Ti is the perfect guy! Keep us in the loop. You have a great attitude. Attitude is everything!
AWE…. beautiful post…. What a beautiful and gentle pack you have …. much love to you as you start your journey. Remember, we are all hear from you. The support you get here is amazing!
Hugs and love,
Alison with the Spirit of Shelby fur-ever in her heart
Thank you sooooooo much for letting us get to know Tiberius! It is an honor, a true honor!
This whole journey adds more depth to a “love story” than anyone could ever imagine possible…except those of us jere who jave ahd the privilege of being owned by a tripawd!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about every single delicious nugget of Ti. I fell in love the second I saw his picture…and now I love him even more!!! What a delightful fella’!
When you mentioned the drool in the M&M bowl, I think that was a little “wink” from my Happy Hannah (Bull Mastiff…fawn colored like Kingston) to let you know that she will be an exceptionally attentive Guardian Angel for Ti. As her earthly journey was preparing for transition, she got lots and lots of very “special” treats…..a scoop of ice cream kne day, a cupcake another day, lots of steaks, and five M&Ms a day, some days a few more!
You jave a beautiful pack and a beautiful bond with them!
We know…and Ti knows….that you are willing to do whatever it takes to give him extended quality time because you love him so much…and he loves you so very much too!
These pictures are just glorious, absolutely glorious!!! ‘Have me grinning ear to ear over here!!! I want to ump through the screen and join in on one big smushy, slushy, slobbery cuddle!!!
Great, great blog! Keep ’em coming!!!
Huge hugs too all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Oh, my, gosh……!!!!! Love, love, love these pics of all your crew, 4 and 2 legged! That puppy picture of Ti is one of the cutest pics I have ever seen!!
What a wonderfully written story, very funny, and touching as well… I know this will be a very scary road, but hang in there, we are all here for you. Thank you for sharing this fabulous story with us.
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Ohhhhhh! Wow I was just going to hit the hay when I saw this and HAD to read more. Ti, you are just soooo big and handsome and gorgeous! And what a great human you have there too. I agree with Bonnie, your story is adorable and very touching. If there were an annual award for “Best Big Dog Tripawds Blog” I swear you’d get it, your story is just so sweet.
We are glad you are here and send all our love for a long life ahead.
(P.S. If your humans want any help resizing photos just holler OK?).
xoxo
OMG, that was quite the puppy face! Way too cute.
Great blog to help all of us get to know Ti a bit better. We are here, cheering you on as Ti fights to beat this.