After 15 years, my beloved Voodoo has left me. (long story and more than a few pics)
Voodoo is gone.
(If you need to, skip to the section called “Memories” and share in our happiness. The first section is the recounting of the torturous last three weeks.)
The last three weeks have been Hell! Voodoo got sick in mid-July. We figured it was an upset stomach or some such; it wasn’t. He stopped eating and became lethargic. We took him to the vet immediately, but after a week of no improvement, and three vets unable to figure out the cause, and a bad blood work test, we took him to the animal hospital in Tulsa the last Wednesday of July. It appeared his kidneys were in failure, but that wasn’t an absolute. When Friday came, two days in the hospital, we got the call to come immediately to Tulsa. We arrived a little over an hour later, and were handed a rag doll. Voodoo was in really bad shape. The decision was made to put in a nasogastric tube as well as a blood transfusion. On the long hour drive home, we were called and told he took the tube well and they would start feeding in a few hours. Later that evening, we got an update saying he was responding well.
My husband and I drove to Tulsa again, on Saturday, and it was like night and day! Voodoo was alert, but still weak. By Sunday, he was even better and trying to stand on his own. He even nuzzled us both! He hadn’t done that in over a week. I called twice a day for updates and all his blood work was coming back improved. He was rebounding! Then came the Tuesday update.
We were speaking with the doctor and he said Voodoo was walking funny, and showing possible signs of neurological issues. We were taken aback, because we didn’t know he was walking on his own! We knew he would be monitored, but figured, after almost 9 days with little food, he was probably just weak. That evening came the next update that he might have had a mini seizure. The decision was made to up some meds and change a few others. It was 10PM.
Tuesday moved to Wednesday, August 4th, and at 3:30am, the animal hospital called; Voodoo had had a major seizure. The doctor decided to take aggressive measures with medications, but I was told we needed to come see him later that day. 4:45am, I had crawled into bed; the phone rang. Voodoo had several more seizures, and was seizing periodically. We needed to come to the hospital, now. I woke my husband, and within an hour and a half, we were back in Tulsa. We were led to a waiting room with a blanket, a Kleenex box, lowered lights and a candle burning. I broke down in tears.
After the paperwork was sorted -- why, even at a time like that, is there always fucking paperwork that has to be done?! -- Voodoo was brought in to us. By this point, I was sobbing. My husband, who rarely cries, was in tears. He had several more seizures and started vocalizing in a way we had never heard. My husband held him like a baby, and he drifted off to sleep. We summoned the doctor, and at 6:49am, Wednesday August 4th, 2021, in the arms of my husband, and my hand and lips on his head, Voodoo left us. We held him for a bit longer…and then more paperwork. FUCKING PAPERWORK!
We cried on the long drive home, but laughed too. As sad as we were, and still are, there were 15 and half years of memories! So, I am going to wrap up this memorial post with a few of those memories, so any tears being shed won’t just be of sadness, but of joy and laughter, as well.
MEMORIES
Born on January 13, 2006, sharing a birthday with one of my brothers, Voodoo came into our lives two months later in March. We were preparing to move to New Orleans (NOLA), so we gave him a name associated with NOLA…Voodoo! And so began fifteen and half years of love. He was just a bit bigger than a beer can when we got him. The funny thing is my husband didn’t like “little” dogs; we were at the store to get a Rottweiler. He thought Voodoo was a baby Rottie until we were corrected, but by that time, Voodoo was already in our hearts. Our cat, Tony, who passed a few years ago, was not impressed! I wanted to make sure Voodoo could sleep on his own, so I told my husband, he had to stay in his cage at night…that lasted THREE whole days! I was in my office late one night and no longer heard Voodoo crying, so I figured he was settling in; I was wrong! My husband snuck into the living room, took him out of his cage and took him to bed, where I found them both, asleep, Voodoo tucked in the nape of my husband’s neck. Voodoo rarely slept in a cage again.
In April of that year, we moved to a still recovering New Orleans. We had to find a house first, so we drove down there, Voodoo in toe. The hotel where we were going to stay expected a pet deposit. OK. So, I was standing at the front desk, Voodoo tucked into my arm, and the manager asks to see our dog. I was confused. I asked if I needed to hand Voodoo to him. He said “No, I just need to see him.” I looked down at my arms and Voodoo twitched. The manager exclaimed, “Wait?! That is a real dog?! Yeah, I am not gonna charge you a pet fee!” See, he thought Voodoo was a stuffed animal because he was so small. The next day, at the Easter Day parade, Voodoo attracted many onlookers, got several beads (we didn’t get jack!) and a toy bunny, which was his favorite until he “killed” it about a year later by ripping out all the stuffing.
The house where we lived for five years was just outside the French Quarter, so we often took Voodoo to The Quarter for walks and outings. He was a great conversation starter. We met many people that way, some became our friends. We spent obscene amounts of money buying his toys, clothes, and pretty much anything that would spoil him, including one plush toy, that looked like a wrapped gift. He liked to hump it, and thus was born, “Sex Bomb”! He also liked hanging out at the front door, peeking through the curtain, waiting for my husband to come home from work. At that age, he also had the annoying habit of dragging our underwear out of the hamper and dragging it to the front door to make a nest! Let’s say there were more than a few times we didn’t spot the “nest” before a houseguest did!
While in New Orleans, we got the sisters, also chihuahuas, Laveau and Marigny. They all palled around for a bit, but usually just did their own things. Voodoo was very attached to both me and my husband and there was never any jealousy in regards to who he “preferred”.
We moved back to Oklahoma in 2011, and he was eventually joined by another chihuahua, Zatanna. Everyone just did their own thing and would run about, racing up and down the stairs, and all over our very big backyard. When the movers brought in our furniture, Voodoo, remember he is now slightly larger than two cans of soda/beer, bowed his front legs in and “woofed” at the movers. They were so shocked at the sound coming out of this tiny little creature, they all stopped and one said, “Is he for real?!” Here was this tiny dog, acting like a big dog, letting them know, in no uncertain terms, this was HIS house!
Over the years, Voodoo has travelled with us all over the States, including fleeing a hurricane with us. All of my family loved him. He wasn’t a “typical” chihuahua in that he usually didn’t tremble, unless there was a thunderstorm or fireworks, he wasn’t “yippie”, and he wasn’t aggressive, unless you were in the house and he usually just made sure you knew whose house it was. He was also the ring-bearer for us when my husband and I were finally allowed to legally marry. The girls were maids of honor.
We were together for fifteen years. There have been lots of laughs, lots of cuddles, lots of “zoom zooms”, and lots of playing, and now, there is a void. But, I am thankful for the time I had and I will miss him greatly. Here are some pictures of BooBoo, BooBoomeister, the Mighty Voodoo, our little man…Voodoo.
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Thanks for sharing your story and pics of beautiful Voodoo.
I will always think of the pix of him lighting the menorah! I am so sorry, my friend. I have been there, as you know, and it never gets any easier. Thanks so much for sharing the photos, he was so adorable - and was obviously such a bright personality. The one comfort I can share was that, of anyone in the world, Voodoo was so incredibly fortunate to have found you... 
We lost our almost 14yo shepherd, Noelle, in February, and it still seems like yesterday.
From your stories, it sounds like Voodoo had an awesome life! One to celebrate! I know it's hard now, through the tears, but let the memories lift your hearts.
Voodoo looked so cute in his bling, especially his Mardi Gras stuff. It got him a guest starring role in a PBS documentary about Jewish New Orleans. 
Thank you for the poem too. I have been remembering the good times, but sometimes that hurts too because I know there are no more to come with him.
it's like they take a piece of our heart with them.....my grandma called it "the price of love"
What a little doll.
He was a good boy.
Beautiful pictures, memories that made me both laugh and tear up…
Voodoo couldn’t have had better parents. So sorry!
Yeah, for the past few years, if he heard "Voodoo!" he was likely in trouble. Kind of like a parent using your entire name.
Your post showed how much love and joy Voodoo brought to you and your husband's life. You gave him a good life and certainly tried to help him stay a little longer, but it just wasn't to be. He will always be in your hearts to the day you too pass and you will meet up with sweet Voodoo again.
As I read the many condolences here, your post completely broke me with that poem. I go downstairs waiting for him to ignore me at the gate from the dining room to the den. And, then I remember, he isn't there and I just start to cry all over again. Time heal all wounds, so I am waiting; I know it will happen.
I wanted to people to see what a special little guy he was. So many you didn't care for or like little dogs, came to appreciate them or love them because Voodoo showed them the way.
I'm so sorry for your loss of beloved Voodoo. I am glad you are already finding comfort in your memories with your beloved companion.
Nothing hurts as much as when a beloved companion crosses the Bridge. 💔
She died when she was 17, from kidneys like your baby. That was a year ago and I am still just as miserable as the day she left me. I had an awake/dream about a week afterwards and my dad who died the previous year appeared and so did my little dog. I knew that they were together which makes me glad but I still miss her terribly.
I hope you can recover better than me.
I am so sorry for your loss too. It is a pain so many of us here understand. We all heal differently and on different time schedules. They make our hearts fuller and when they are gone, we feel the emptiness.
So sorry to see this. 
Just from the pics, it looks like he had a strong and lively personality and was the guardian of the household!
My first thought was that he had some doberman coloring and then found out there is actually a mixed breed called a Chipin (Chihuahua & miniature Pinscher mix).
Sending some warm vibes you and your hubby's way.
Both my husband and I are beside ourselves. My husband has been so busy at work, it has provided a distraction, but it makes him feel worse in some ways because he can't just take time to mourn. Me, we picked up his remains yesterday and I completely broke down in the parking lot, sobbing uncontrollably.
So sad for your loss of your little friend. Big personalities often come in small packages. I'm sure Voodoo left a part of himself in your heart when he crossed the Rainbow Bridge where he will wait to be reunited with you and your husband. Take comfort in the memories and the love you shared. 
Voodoo
About his humans in heaven.