Emilio the Explorer

Lio+C. Personal tumblr: justsitstill. (Avatar by blueboyluca)

[emiliotheexplorer]

I thought my previous post was going to be the last one on this blog. I was planning on downloading all the posts and just deleting it. But I’m in the thick of processing my grief over Lio’s passing and this feels like the best place to share some of the things I’m doing to help with that. Here’s the most important one as of now.

I started a note on my phone for keeping track of all the times I feel Lio visits me. I know lots of people have lots of thoughts about what happens after death. I can’t say I have all my thoughts sorted. I do think that what’s on the other side is probably different from anything humans are capable of imagining. I like to think that Lio is happy where he is but still pops in when he misses me or bananas or all the things that remind him of the home he had while he was here. Here are some of the times Lio’s come back so far.

[emiliotheexplorer]

TW: Pet Death.

I haven’t used this account in years, but because this is where so many people met Lio, I feel it’s important to share that we said good bye to Lio last week on Sept 15, 2022. He was 10 and a half years old.

His story is one lots of living beings share: he got sick and it progressed quickly. I wish I could say we knew what he was sick with, but no one could figure it out. At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter. He was one of my best friends and I did the best by him I could. I loved him with everything I had and we gave each other such a good life.

Thank you all for caring about Lio and seeing how special he was. 🖤

[stardewitagain]

Greyhounds be like chitterchitterchitterchitterchittechitterSNOOF

[kangals]

Put some kibbles in a box thinking it’d be fun for her to work out how to get them… foolishly forgot to account for The Length.

[emiliotheexplorer]

I mean to be fair they did technically figure out how to get the kibble out using the tools they have.

[securityunit-ese]

The postit notes of​ dogblrtober inktober continue!

7. A giant breed - @werewolvesinthewoods Kovacs because big beefy baby and his name always gives me a chuckle

8. A sighthound - @emiliotheexplorer inky cockroach and possible alien!

While I was referencing these two I saw on my follow list they’re right next to each other. And below them was perfect for number 9!

9. A mixed breed - @talentedtrickdogs lovely dainty pointy Maya! She’s such a pretty and smart dog.

[emiliotheexplorer]

Gosh I love this so much. Lio is all ink except for his white patches and tongue.

A roach master and *definite* alien.

[emiliotheexplorer]

Lately I’ve been thinking about the kind of dog(s) I’d have if my work, lifestyle, and general mental/physical health were different. Number one on the list is a big, dumb, happy, cuddly, wiggle butt staffy.

[emiliotheexplorer]

For Kesi.

[blueboyluca]

I unlocked the key to play.

[emiliotheexplorer]

I love this so much

[emiliotheexplorer]

My mom got Lio a heavy duty winter coat for when temperatures dip below -20C. I can’t help but laugh at him when he wears it because he is such a gentle and lanky boy and the jacket is so bulky and awkward on him.

[bobbyverse-deactivated20191221]

He looks like a pizza delivery bag 😂

[thesomethingthaticando]

For a moment I could not find this dog’s head.

[blueboyluca]

C, @emiliotheexplorer, sent us this beautiful painting with a special Lio paw print painting inside. We feel blessed. 💕

[emiliotheexplorer]

I’m very attached to this specific painting because painting it was a calm, meditative experience. I absolutely love that I was able send it to one of my favourite human + dog duos.

[mango-pup]

We had a very special delivery today 😊. A beautiful handmade card from @emiliotheexplorer and his human. We especially like the additions from Lio. Thank you brilliant human

[emiliotheexplorer]

I’ve been painting! It’s added to my life in unexpected and wonderful ways. One of the best things that has come from this new activity is that I get to send gifts to friends.

[blueboyluca]

Visit Original Link

Hello, hello! Hello, hello! Hello, it’s baby Luca!

[emiliotheexplorer]

what the HECK I LOVE THIS SO MUCH

[gustavowasright-deactivated2022]

I love the sense of wonder pets and children instill in people. Like, Happy does SO MANY THINGS I have seen millions of other dogs do, on the internet and in person, which are perfectly mundane and normal and which I never gave a second thought, but because SHE does them I gotta pull out my phone and take a million pics and feel all warm and fuzzy. “Oh look happy got mud on her paws! Oh look happy has meat juice on her face! Omg Happy is breathing! Her tail is wiggling! She’s rolling in grass! Etc!” It’s like looking at everything dog but truly seeing it for the first time. And from I understand about parenthood, it’s exactly the same with children

[emiliotheexplorer]

Hello, please only answer this when you have the energy to do so, but I stumbled upon your wonderful blog while looking for greyhound resources and read that you adopted Lio (shortly?) before going to grad school. I’m in much the same situation and wondered if you have some advice on how feasible it is to care for a retired racer while studying full-time? I want to give my hypothetical dog the best retirement possible but I also want to be able to finish my degree. Thanks in advance!

I’m so sorry— I never got the notification for your ask so I’m only seeing this now. Hope you’re still around to see this response, anon.

So I actually had Lio for a year before starting grad school. When I adopted Lio I was working as a middle school teacher.

Maintaining any kind of work/life balance in grad school is hard, but it is completely feasible (and crucial) to make space in your day for personal commitments like pet care when you are a grad student. To put it into perspective, I have a lot of friends in my PhD program that are parents and full-time grad students. I maintain a work/life balance the same way they do— by not allowing grad school to encroach upon the time in my day dedicated to being with my family (Lio).

I think the best advice I can give is to treat grad school like a full-time job. Just like with any other full time job, create a daily routine that includes your pet commitments and work hard to stick to that routine. For example, do your daily walks at the same time and for the same length of time every day. When your 8 hour work day as a grad student is over, “clock out” and stop working. Don’t buy into the myth that to be a successful grad student you have to work during all waking hours of the day. It’s not true, not healthy, and ultimately your work suffers if you overwork your brain.

Of course, there will be more intense periods during grad school when work/life balance will be harder to maintain. I did my first comp exam a couple of months ago and I was definitely working more than 8 hours a day during that time. Lio was actually a very helpful reminder during my comp exam that it’s important to take breaks and continue taking care of my personal life even though I have grad school commitments.

Not sure if any of that was helpful. My advice is basically to create a routine for yourself that prioritizes life work as much as it does grad school work and to be vigilant about maintaining that routine as much as you can for your sake as well as your dog’s sake. Let me know if you have any other questions!

[westie-impostor]

I went to a paint your pet event with some friends!  It’s amazing how those blotches of colors turned into Sasha within 3 hours!

[westie-impostor]

And the model herself!

And the original picture!

[emiliotheexplorer]

So cool!! You did such a great job! I’ve been learning how to paint over the last few months. I’d love to go to an event like this.

[emiliotheexplorer]

What kind of love language is it when your dog knows that you are getting ready to leave the house so he drinks water and then throws up at your feet.

[emiliotheexplorer]

I am stressed, exhausted, and over-scheduled. Every time Lio rolls on to his back for maximum comfort I want to burst into tears because it makes me both so happy because I love this stupid dog and so sad because I have not had a decent night’s sleep in a very long time.