Sensei – Star, Shining in our Hearts

Alisha and Sensei-Star, 2015

Our guardian dog, Sensei-Star, passed away this April, 2015. Sensei-Star kept us company both in the studio and in the office and watched over Alisha and her family in her off duty hours.

Alisha, Molly, Sensei-Star, 2007

Sensei- Star Happy Puppy 2006 Park

Alisha adopted Sensei-Star ten years ago and she passed away this April, just a week shy of her ten year adoption anniversary. She was a gentle and obedient dog because Alisha treated her with loving-kindness and she knew her place in the family pack. Dogs are pack animals and need to know where they stand in the pack hierarchy and they need to have a purpose. Sensei-Star helped to raise Alisha’s two children. She was there when when they learned to walk and to ride bicycles and they racked up countless days together at parks and on beach walks. Sensei loved and was proud of her family and watched over them all.

John and Sensei-Star, 2008

Alisha and Sensei-Star, 2006

Sensei-Star Dressed- Up

Sensei-Star, Molly and Sterling, 2015

She came to work with Alisha most days and was a member of our “pack” at Marty Magic. She took her job seriously, announcing the arrival of the U.P.S. man and other visitors. On summer days, she would join us for lunch in the garden, choosing a sunny spot to bask in. When she was young and agile, she would follow Alisha, the alpha of her pack, between the upstairs office and the work shop but in her venerable years, not able to manage the stairs, she would wait anxiously, curled on her downstairs dog bed, ears tuned to our whereabouts.

Sensei-Star and Alisha, Hand in Paw, April, 2015

Alisha’s Reflections: Sensei- Star was my first Baby. She was the most remarkable and loving dog that I have ever known. Her eyes sparkled and her playful puppy smile was contagious. She was vibrant and full of energy.

She LOVED the water. Some of my favorite memories are of us swimming in the river at the Garden of Eden and jumping in the waves at the beach. We shared so many good times
She was a gentle soul; best friends with our cat SA and sweet with our guinea pigs and our bearded dragons. I feel so lucky to have had ten amazing years with a dog that was my best friend. I will love and remember you always Sensei-Star.  Alisha xox

This morning, Sterling, now nearly five years old, whimpered to me that he misses Sensei-Star and we talked about memories. He told me “When I was a baby, she would lick my toes and make me giggle.”

Molly, nearly nine, wrote this poem:  You are a star, I love you so far, you are the best, you are in my crest, you can sing like a pop star ring. I know it is sad, I feel so bad, I love you to death, I know you miss us…I do too. xoxoxox

We all miss her terribly but will keep her shining brightly in our hearts.