Today – my baby came home. Not this baby.
THIS Baby.
Kevin aka “Kaybon”
And not “home” in the literal sense of the word, but home, well…. I take that back. Yes, we brought him home today. In a box, a beautiful locked wooden box, with his name inscribed on it.
Kevin aka “Kaybon”
His name is Kevin… AKA “Kaybon”. He was, and continues to be – my baby. He lived 12 amazing years spending most of it by my side. I’d like to say, he followed me everywhere I went because I represented freedom, excitement, and unparalleled joy that only a pug could ask for. But that wasn’t entirely true. I represented food and a whole lotta love. And that is all he ever asked of me. Food, and a good ol’ fashioned rub on the belly. Followed by more food. All it took was this little face, and then we caved…
Kevin got “Puppy dog eyes” down to a science
Don’t get me wrong – we didn’t feed him with reckless abandon. Quite the contrary. We spent all, but the last days of his life, ensuring he ate only the best quality food, which did NOT include table scraps – much to his chagrin. In the last days, we wanted to spoil him with whatever his lovely little failing heart desired because all we wanted him to feel in those moments were pure love, with no condition – and if that meant a scoop of Salted Caramel Truffle flavored premium Haagen Dazs, then so beit.
But this little tribute to my big man, is not meant to relive those last torturous days. Rather, I want to remind myself of my darling little Kevin, aka, Kaybon, in the best light possible…. As my “original” mini-me…
Yes. I dressed him. As much as possible. In as many outfits I could squeeze his chubby little body into. And contrary to popular belief… he LOVED it.
Dressed up… and thrilled.
Kevin understood what brought me such elation was having the ability to style those who could not style themselves (Hence, “Baby” Stylista) – And his goal in his incredibly short life – was to make me (and his hero, Big Daddy) happy. And happy, I was. Coincidentally – so was he…
Kaybon, my happy monkey
From being the reigning champion of several annual Halloween Costume contests (we even got free storage and food supply out of it – in case you doubt the necessity of dressing your dogs up on Halloween…). His costumes were so “out of this world”, he even managed to go viral…
Kaybon as Napugleon Dynamite
Princess Seth and Darth Kaybon
As well as other opportunities to play dress-up…
Kaybe Lincoln and Dwight D. EiSethhower
Saturday Kaybon Fever, Circa 1977
Pug’s gotta wear shades
Pugbrero
Puglum
Europug
To our annual family Christmas Cards…
Santa Pug and Seth The brown nosed Pom-Deer, 2004
Cops and Robbers 2012
To our wedding day (okay, so they weren’t actually there at the ceremony – but they were there in spirit)…
Pug of Honor, Best Pomchi
And when all the fun and games were over, Kaybon enjoyed the simple things in life.
Like Music…
Pugsician
Reading a good book (or snoozing on one…)
Pugvinci Code
Online Shopping…
www.pugazon.com
Being babied when he was feeling under the weather…
Pugnausea
Guarding the office folk and signing for deliveries…
Guard Pug
Taking long, hot bubble baths…
Rubber Puggie in the bathtub
Enjoying live entertainment…
Succumbing to the angry, pregnant Teletubby
Taking long walks (and not breaking a sweat)…
Pug Flyer
Recycling glass and plastics (quite the philanthropist he was…)
Recyclable Pug
Modeling for photoshoots…
Kevin demands “Where’s my Evian??”
Knocking on doors, like the respectful gentlepug he is…
Sneaking into dog-free zones (but knocking first, of course)
Perfecting the art of, “who me??” after a bout of shenanigans…
Plotting future shenanigans with Big Brother, Seth
Burning rubber…
Driving Miss Puggy
Enjoying an evening at the Oscars (Always a big fan of Billy Crystal)…
Pug Hilton critiques who-wears-what on the red carpet
Taking calls…
Pugference Calls
Napping sitting up…
“Release the Kraken”
Spending time with friends…
“One of these things is not like the other”
Getting cleaned and groomed by this big brother, Seth…
Pug spa treatment
…and his most favorite past-time – Taking in the cool, ocean breeze…
Beach Pug
…But don’t be fooled by this seemingly “zen” pug. He had his fair share of troublemaking that wasn’t always so precious…
Pugnanigans
Pugnanigans Part 2
And speaking of precious – adjusting to a new family member was never a challenge for Kaybon. He embraced it with loving paws.
Pug vs. Baby Bump
He even warmed up the stroller…
…Then comes Pug in a baby carriage??
and gave, newborn, LD a warm and “fuzzy” homecoming…
The First Meeting
Kevin even taught LD how to crawl after a million failed attempts on my part. He definitely adapted to the role of Big Brother/Babysitter/Crawling Facilitator/Guard-Pug seamlessly, and decided, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. Before long, the two were inseparable bosom buddies, in coordinating outfits, no less.
The two fashionistas proclaim: “Black is the new black”
Baby’s Best Friend
Kaybon was the ultimate accessory in my life. Wherever I was, you can guarantee there was a snorting, bright-eyed, treat-obsessed, ruckas-making monkey, weaving in and out of my legs trying to make his presence known.
Kevin, my ultimate accessory
He loved being around us, night and day. At the foot of our bed, on top of our heads, licking our ankles to check what fragrance-free lotion we chose for the day, under the table doing what he does best, or waiting by the bathroom door with his tail wagging at lightening speed.
Kevin may not be here physically, but I am willing to bet all that I have and all that I know, this little black bullet is running around our home with table scraps hanging out of his mouth, a fur coat as lustrous and healthy as the day we met him, as happy as can be. The pain of his loss is real, and I would do just about anything to turn back the clocks and relive our last moments together over and over and over again. But I am rest assured, that those last moments of looking into the ocean and listening to the rumbling waves – is just a glimpse of what will come when we meet again.
Beach Pug and his Role Models
Until then, my darling Kaybon – I envision you awaiting my homecoming everyday at the front door…
Waiting for Mama
…and I hold on to these memories and look forward to making new ones with your big brother Seth (who we intend to spoil – which is all I’m sure you ever wanted for him)…
Brothers for Life
…and to raise LD in the best way we know how. You were, and continue to be her guardian pug, and now you are all of our guardian angel.
Team Pug
Forever in my arms…
Baby Kaybon
Forever in our minds…
Forever in our hearts…
you’ll always be… my baby boy, Kevin.
Mama’s Boy 2002
Mama’s Boy. 2012
Now go and put your camo pants and suspenders on like a good boy, and make mama proud.
I Love you to the moon (on the other side of rainbow bridge at the end of the tunnel) and back,
Mama
P.S. Big Daddy – in the 12 years of Kaybon’s life, you were his hero and his master. He looked up to you and loved you so much. In his last days, you were his primary caregiver and you did everything you could to keep him going. Thank you for affording me those precious days. You are a good daddy and we all love you very much.
P.S. P.S A special thank you to Unky Brian for the amazing family photos which we will cherish forever. Thank you for loving Kaybon the way you always did. You kept his tail wagging.
P.S.P.S.P.S An extra special thank you to Dr. Amber and the staff at Banfield Pet Hospital El Segundo for their gentle touch and support of the tail-wagging pug especially on his last days, as well as Dr. Amber Cohn & Dr. Arndt the staff at City of Angels Pet Hospital, who held our hands though the whole process and gave us the extra time we needed. Thank you!!
Love you,
Acooba