Still Missing Flapper... dearly.

It has been a long time since I last wrote anything. Constant self-debating about.... should I or should not carry on this site now that Flapper is gone and if I do, what content am I going to create? And perhaps on this note I should thank all your wonderful fabulous Flapper fans who faithfully stayed through his journey since he became that 'accidental actor'.

It has been about 1 1/2 years since Flapper's loss to the lymphoma battle. It was tough initially coping with that sudden void. For some six years I wore my invisible "superhero" suit of being Batman Flapper's Alfred - his trainer, "manager" and ghost-writer - while Frodo was his idiotic but charming sidekick brother who could not catch a ball. Flapper was God's blessing to me. I lived vicariously and creatively through him. Most fondly missed is our community work. Together.

I spent the first few months tapping my fingers on the table not knowing what to do with that sudden void. No more product reviews, no more funny videos, no more community work, no more ghost-writing in his name. Literally. Void. Suddenly. Batman left as sneakily as he came into my life.

There was also dealing with the daily heartbreak of watching Frodo wait at the door for Flapper, his  and his excitement that turn into barks then howls when Flapper's images and videos show up on TV. And then he would try to hide between us, the "daddy" and me", to avoid looking at telly but still sneaking peeks at it.  This resulted in us consciously ensuring the movies hit the TV before Chrome Cast flashes the images off my phone.

Yes, I do have videos of Frodo reacting to seeing Flapper on TV but I am not sharing it as such content is better left unseen.

Fast forward.

Today.

Life has gone on. Some things changed, some things unchanged. Frodo turned 9 in March. Still an idiot. For the first three months post Flapper's death, he DID NOT play with the cat AT ALL. We got worried. Gradually he resumed his annoying 'younger brother' self and we heaved a sigh of relieve. Frodo has toned down and his aging (including slowing down) became pronounced about six months after. He still loves his play and swim times but can see he has lost some of that spark as his main focus in play used to be centered on annoying Flapper.

Grans have a new pup named DJ (short for Dumbo Jr). Dumbo Sr passed away a month before Flapper so yes, the family had a blow of double doggo-loss in a span of one month. But that's another story for another. So now, the roles have changed. From being the annoying younger brother, Frodo is now the recipient of his own annoying antics but lo and behold! He is now the patient older brother to DJ and I, the mama, am beaming with pride.

Flapper has taught him well.

DJ is one smart cookie and it has been fun training him the same nonsense (tricks) I used to train Flapper. He is five months old now and I am pushing him further than I would with Frodo. Admittedly, DJ has reignited some of that energy and passion I had in dog-training. I guess I may start to include DJ in my write-ups!

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
- Revelation 21:4