Bowpi 寶媲, the Precious Companion,
a.k.a. Peeps, Peepsy/Peepsi/Peepsie
Dec 31, 2004?? – early a.m. hours of July 18, 2020
Adopted into The House of Two Bows 雙寶之屋 on March 23, 2010
Did I think that if I never posted here again, I could avoid the inevitable?
No, of course not.
That’s not how this works.
During these last few months of quarantine, Bowpi the basenji had been testing the physical boundaries of Bowdu the shiba. Though she had a wide selection of soft, comfortable, and heating pad-augmented beds of her own, she kept trying to sneak into his bed, claiming his space. A younger, grumpier Bowdu would have chased her out with a snarl and flashing fangs. As a more sedate old man, Bowdu instead just looked at her in his bed with an expression of quiet exasperation, even resignation, then either moved aside to lie elsewhere on the floor, or waited for me to nudge her back to her own spot.
But one day, after seeing her steal his bed again, Bowdu did something he had never done before — he climbed in beside her, laid down so she was pressed snugly against his side and the wall of the bed (she was already most of the way there) …
… and then, when Bowpi repositioned her head to rest her chin on Bowdu as a pillow, he actually let her do so with absolutely no fuss. NEXT LEVEL CUDDLING CUTENESS, UNLOCKED. As I raved on other social media at the time, this “event” of Bowdu allowing himself to be used as Bowpi’s body pillow took over ten years of cohabitation to happen on its own. They’d been close enough to touch limbs or bump sides before, but nothing ever quite like this.
I lingered and watched them sleep that way for most of the afternoon, appreciating that the current state of sheltering at home allowed me to fully witness the moment.
A couple days after I took those pictures, Bowpi completely stopped eating and drinking. Some 34 months after first being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, she had gone into total renal failure. Her strength declined rapidly, and a few nights later, she was gone.
Bowdu has been mourning her loss as deeply as I have been. He has his ways, and I have mine. I put together a 3-hour freeform radio show filled with lesser-known dog songs, mourning/grieving/yearning songs, African music (with an emphasis on Central Africa and the Congo, of course), sound clips and other audio connections to Bowpi. I invite everyone to join me for this LIVE radio event, happening just a little more than a day from now.
SPIRIT OF BOWPI: A RADIO TRIBUTE
Who: For Bowpi and anyone who has grieved the loss of a pet, with DJ Microtone (M.C.)
When: Tuesday, August 4th, 2020, 12:00pm to 3:00pm Pacific Time
Where: KALX 90.7 FM Berkeley on terrestrial radio, KALX.berkeley.edu for the link to the online stream (upper right hand corner)
The full show as it is meant to be heard will only air LIVE, during this specific time and place. The radio station licensing agreements do not permit us to post or share archives of shows, so you’ll have to catch the broadcast on Tuesday, or never. I may share a modified, music-only playlist later. The ephemerality of radio is a fitting medium, in its own particular way, to commemorate the fleeting presence of a most beloved, precious pet.
Leslie said:
I have no words for how sorry I am for your loss, but also how thrilled that you saw that shared moment before Bowpi left. Thank you for sharing her with us for so long. I don’t know if it helps to know your grief is shared, but you are both inevitably alone but also not alone right now. And now I’m going to go hug my own Shiba and Corgi crew extra hard (which they’ll hate, of course, because being squished is so undignified) and send whatever good karma I can send to Bowpi, Bowdu and you.
Chris Noble said:
I’ve followed your adventures of the two Bows for so long and when you didn’t post I guess I froze the two of them in time in my mind. How did they get older? It just isn’t fair. This post broke my heart and gutted me. Just know how much I’ve enjoyed your stories and how very sorry I am for your loss. Tears for the start of the day. But probably nothing compared to yours. I’m glad she’ll live on in your pictures and your memories.
NY Earthling said:
MC, I’m so, so sorry. Bowdu must have picked up on something indiscernible to us humans, and allowed that final nap together. Take care, both of you.
Linda Wroth said:
I loved The House of Two Bows, your stories and photos, and especially your last photos of Bowpi. Now listening to your wonderful tribute, grieving again for my beloved Shoji. Thank you, Menghsin, thinking of Bowdu.
Ruby said:
Since we noticed your website maybe 5-6 years ago? We had been looking for a shiba, We could not and ended up with a basenji. Now we have 2. Your website gave us the most wonderful experience we had ever had aside from having our children. I am sooo, saddened by the passing of Peepsie. So Sad!
I just want to let you know how much we appreciated your photos of the two dogs roaming and running through the grass! It has made such an impression on us.
How do they know that they are sick and need each other? I am so moved by your post and saddened as well.
When my German Shepherd was dying, that was the only time the basenji Bump was allowed to snuggle with her.
Wish you well and sorry for the sad news.