03/20/2022
HAPPY 13th BIRTHDAY OUR PRECIOUS KINA MEI!
The moment you walked into my life, everything has changed. Each day with you is a day to be celebrated.
I often think back to the first day I met you – you were 4 days old, sleeping with your siblings, you all looked like a bunch of donuts. The breeder, Ms. Maja, asked me: “which one you like?” and I just randomly pointed with my finger – to YOU. That day, March 20, 2009 the day you were born the universe knew exactly whose hearts you would steal. Nana Dana, was telling me not to get another puppy as we just lost our precious Maltese girl Bianca. You were a special girl in your litter, you were a Queen bee from the first second and bossing your mom, dad, siblings around. Fussy eater from the first second. You were and still are to this day full of so much personality and courage, literally nothing can spook you. Since I met you, on the fourth day of your life, I was coming every single day after work to see you – it was April the 1st and I had you on my chest sitting in Ms. Maja’s living room… and you opened your eyes. Blue, puppy eyes, at least I thought they were blue……I was the first “thing”, person you saw.
I was buying you toys, blankets as I could not wait for 8 weeks to pass so I can take you home.
You are perfectly designed and filled our hearts with so much love, joy, I can only strive to be as loving as you. I never knew what a little Shih Tzu will bring to our lives, you have brought us a unique understanding where before we were ignorant as to how it will be to live with the Royalty. You are the true meaning of royalty, loyalty and devotion. Living with you, I know a secret comfort and inner peace.
We grew up together and had so many adventures together! All over the world! You taught me countless of lessons, stayed by me during my worst and best times! If there is one wish I want most in the world, it will be for you to live for 500 years more! I could have never hoped for a better best friend than you. T
Your love for life is contagious. Your curiosity and being a “Muppet” is so funny and it’s amazing how you are interested in everything. You remember when Nana D and I were looking for you on island Rab in Croatia, you were just 5 months old and you just disappeared. We called you and then heard a voice of a lady saying: “whose puppy are you?” You ended up in a gallery, looking at art and wagging your tail! You can spend hours and hours in the backyard looking at birds, waiting for deer to show up, or chasing crabs on the beach and lizards that will always out run you. There are often times you go outside, tilt your face toward the sun and stand there for a few moments taking it all in. You are a constant reminder to slow down, life is too fleeting not to embrace the small things.
Kina Mei, you swam in almost every sea and oceans in the world: Adriatic Sea, Red and Mediterranean Sea, you enjoyed sunset felucca rides on the mighty Nile, saw ancient Egyptian pyramids, rode camels and horses, enjoyed old roman mosaics in Cyprus, running with pelicans, swimming in the presidential pond, falling into the pool in the middle of the diplomatic reception, flying first class, visiting U.S. destroyers with your dad, riding on a Harley motorcycle, you are a world traveler, trooper in all our moves, the best one - we took you everywhere with us.
You know only to love and be loved. Without knowing it you teach us every day by example and words cannot fully express how grateful we are to learn those lessons. You have taught us the lesson of unconditional love and the importance of forgiving freely and often. You have taught us to smile, to jump for joy, you teach us that snuggles can ease any kind of stress, sadness and long walks are cleansing for the soul. Most importantly, you have taught us that words are not necessary, the simple act of showing up and being there is enough.
You brought the best people into our lives: Clare and the Wilson family, Kate and Tim, Debbie and Neil, Majda, Catherine, Cat… I can go on and on.
Thank you Kina Mei for every kiss, for your bark, for every smile and wagging tail; Thank you for your wet, cold nose and fluffy paws, for your silly antics, wiggling bum bum butt....Thank you for accepting us, for adopting us, thank you for your patience, thank you for letting us to be a part of your life; Thank you for putting my life into a proper perspective, for being our partner and defender; Living with you makes us rich and special!
Kina Mei, you are graceful, stylish, independent and self-centered. You are so demanding, you are a supermodel, walking talking cutest creature, you are a SHIH TZU! We, your staffers, we love you infinitely!
We will continue to make you pillow palaces, adjust “blankies” and “lullies” and beds around the house, being you staffers, paying bills, to serve your royal highness with water in a crystal glasses, share dinner table, we will go and “look-look” with you on the back porch as much as you like…
You are the most gentle and tender soul we know, thank you for letting us love you.
Today we celebrate your life, your love, your beauty, your intelligence and our special bond! We love you! Happy birthday Kina!
Happy birthday our beautiful, precious princess!