My dog and wonderful canine companion died Tuesday night, 5/26/2026.
His name was Tuffy, and I introduced him in a blog post from February 1, 2016. I remember he came to live with my wife and me in September of 2015. He wasn’t a puppy when he came, and he was a good year old or more. The previous people he had lived with were cruel to him. After he suffered two broken legs and a hip, my oldest daughter took him and his brother Jax into her home. But the brothers were always up to mischief, so she separated them by giving us Tuffy.
He was a chihuahua and Japanese chin mix, a mixed breed called a chin-wa. But I think he was more chihuahua because every noise outside excited him, which reminded me of a childhood friend’s chihuahua.
I’m reposting two blog posts from 2016 in memory of the little guy. He’s sorely missed.
“Our Little Dog Is A Mooch”—posted February 1, 2016
I took a month hiatus from writing, creating artwork, blogging, and other time-consuming activities so I could spend more time “smelling the roses” in life. I began by tossing away my schedules (except that all-important one that allows me to pay bills) so I could live with fewer restraints. This allowed Tuffy, a Chihuahua/Japanese Chin mix and the newest addition to the house, to try to take full advantage of my free time.
Introducing the Mooch:
Going for walks and just spending time outdoors at my feet was a frequent demand of his during September and October. And I discovered what dog foods he likes to eat, though he’s a mooch when it comes to people food. I think he is able to smell food cooking a mile away. While he played outdoors around noon one day, I made a nice lunch of leftover chicken. Then I took advantage of being alone while my wife babysat our youngest grandchild. I settled down in my recliner, turned on my Kindle, and read no more than a paragraph when Tuffy began barking. I went to the door and saw that he was barking at the door, or specifically, at me. As soon as I let him, he sat in the middle of the living room floor and stared at my plate on the chair. I hate when pets stare at me while I’m eating, so I gave in and shared the rest of my lunch. My wife says I’m too soft and shouldn’t let him eat my food. But she feeds him too, especially parts of sandwiches and pizza, so I’m not the only softie.
November and December brought chilly rain and occasional snow, so Tuff-Tuff, as our grandchildren took to calling him, pestered me a lot to turn up the heat indoors, and to have a blanket to nap under. On sunny days, he likes me to pull back the living room curtains so he can lie in the sun. I figure it’s the Aztec/Mexican part of him that hankers for warmth. To aid in keeping him warm, my wife and I bought him a dog sweater during the Thanksgiving holiday, but he refused to lower his dignity and wear it. It lies at the foot of my recliner, along with the sock monkey and squeaky toys he never plays with.
January, the crappiest month of any year, dumped its usual burial of snow on us, which seemed to disgruntle him more than me. Potty time outdoors became a chore of coaxing him to leave the porch to do his business, which resulted in 5am trips outside because his bladder and kidneys were at their bursting points. Still, he refused to leave the porch, so I found myself shoveling yellow and brown snow away from the door.
Today, the first day of February, has brought mild weather. Temperatures outside have climbed high enough to melt away January’s onslaught and make both my yard and driveway a mud wrestler’s delight. I learned this morning that mud also delights Tuffy. And he enjoys pouncing on a family of tiny rodents that forage around my apple trees. He doesn’t hurt them, though he likes to bat them around the ears with his paws and make them squeal before he lets them go. I tried to sneak off and eat lunch alone, but he was wise to me and was at the door, barking and pleading with his pitiful look that says I’m a lowlife if I don’t share.
What a mooch.
“Fixing This Old House”—posted June 15, 2016
The old homestead has needed a sprucing for many years. Fresh paint or siding? That was the question while the roof was finally shingled last year during October. The powers that be decided to go with siding this spring. But May was too cold and wet with snow and rain for such a big project. June’s weather has been kinder, so work began straight away.
Complications arose, of course, which extended the project. But today, at last, the place is dressed in her new clothes.
Of course, Tuffy had to oversee the project.
Tuffy was my little shadow—he followed me everywhere. To say we were best friends is an understatement.
The following photo was taken last month, sometime in April as I got ready to mow the yard. It’s the last picture I took of the little guy. You can see how he aged over the years. He had a stroke mere days after I took the photo, but he recovered very well and suffered only a little blindness in his left eye.
Then, this past Sunday night, he collapsed, unable to move. My wife and I knew his end was near. We sat with him for two long days and nights, hoping he’d recover, but knowing he wouldn’t.
He had a good, happy life with us. Those times will be missed.
Thanks for joining me while I paid tribute to little Tuffy.
Until next time, peace and love, everybody.
Steve, 5/27/2026
This post “Remembering Tuffy” copyright © 2026 Steven Leo Campbell at stevecampbellcreations.com – All rights reserved.
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