The Long Goodbye

It has been quiet for some time, but for a sad reason. A bit more than a month ago, some 12 weeks after her lifelong sister Yaya, Mr. Marlin fell ill with a pancreatic infection, followed by a cholangitis. We assume the likelihood for these diseases was raised by her SARDS infection (sudden blindness) in the early summer. After being ill and spending several days in infusion, we made the tough decision to let go. Mr. Marlin is now having naps, bbq chicken and silky blankets together with her lifelong companion Yaya - and our house is very much emptier than it used to be.

But, we will back, eventually. -J&K

Cinnamon Bun

M: Mr Marlin wishes everyone a great Cinnamon Bun Day! If sister was here, we would have celebrated big time! Now I just take the big part and leave the smaller one for human man.
Y: Well, I'm watching over it as well.

Hearts and Bones

M: Mr. Marlin started running for the first since becoming ill. Was cut short after hitting the football goal post. Unfortunate accident. And otherwise Mr. Marlin has been put on a diet. So I am waiting for the hunting season to begin.

Soft cushions

M: Mr. Marlin has had some rough times, but luckily there is a brand new silk blanket.

Reunion

"If there ever comes a day when we can't be together, keep me in your heart, I'll stay there forever." 
- Winnie the Pooh

Yaya 20.6.2007 - 4.8.2019

The last ball game

We are sad to tell you that Yaya passed away unexpectedly on August 4, 2019. She had been with us for 12 years already, but was in a good condition. But everything in this world is uncertain. Yaya suffered from an acute lung infection, and her forecast for recovery was not good. So we made the painful decision, which we hope was in her best interests, although it hurt us so much. Mr. Marlin, who became blind due to sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) a month ago, is still with us.

We are still undecided on what to do with the social media accounts. Give us a moment to think, and share your thoughts. Thanks for following this far!
- J & K -

Grandma's little helpers

Y: Well, we visited grandma, had time to relax a bit.
M: Mr. Marlin could not relax, the rooster woke up too early.
Y: That rooster... would like to learn to know him better.
M: Yes indeed, could discuss the issue over lunch with him...

These boots are made for walking

Y: Well, to be honest, I'm still not sure what to think of this. 

M: Mr. Marlin thinks it is all good, must be made for eating. 

Y: My only explanation is that it happened a long time ago, when I was young and needed money.

M: My type of shoes.

Changes

M: Mr. Marlin has changed jobs.

Y: Well, I moved Marlin to work on the phone. She cannot do observation based fish or squirrel research anymore because of the illness.

M: Mr. Marlin only wishes that the pillow was a little bit softer.

Guidance

Y: Well, I've had a few days to think now.
M: Mr. Marlin has been thinking as well. Why nobody puts the lights on?
Y: Well, I thought I'll hire a laboratory researcher, just to act as a guide to Marlin.
M: It is labrador retriever. But Mr. Marlin really appreciates the idea. As long as he eats elsewhere!

Stronger

M: Mr. Marlin has been using medical services, very good services, you know.
Y: Well... Good news it that my team is still fully functional, but I have to make some arrangements.
M: Mr. Marlin lost the sight in his eyes. But got increased appetite in return.
Y: We will make it. You just have to follow your instincts. And ears and nose. And heart.

Sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome (SARDS) is a disease in dogs causing sudden blindness. It can occur in any breed, but female dogs may be predisposed. The cause of SARDS is considered to be idiopathic and the veterinary community is divided as to its cause. Pathologically, there is a loss of the rod and cone cells followed by degeneration of other layers of the retina. There is no effective treatment for SARDS. The disease does not cause any pain to the dog.

Birthday Girl

Y: Well, for my birthday I threw a BBQ party to all my mates.
M: Mr. Marlin loves chicken.
Y: Very good indeed.
M: And not too many guests, so Mr. Marlin could eat more. Very good thinking.

Fake Doctor

Y: Well, Mr. Marlin went to see the doctor and is on sick leave. So I need to be training on my own.
M: Did not like, was a fake doctor.
Y: Just because she ordered you to lose weight does not mean she is a fake doctor. She also diagnosed your inner ear infection.
M: Yes she did. And she ordered much rest and double meals.
Y: She so did not.

Celebration

Y: Well, I just wanted to wish everyone a great my birthday!
M: Is it Mr. Marlin's birthday?
Y: No, a great my birthday! Really great, one of the best!
M: Is that why you had a big salmon today? A very good birthday present indeed, thanks for sharing!

King of the Grill

Y: The human man has always complained about going to Ikea. But I don't buy those complaints anymore!

M: Indeed.

Y: It is my new favourite place, sausages and icecream!

M: Mr. Marlin would like to have four. And please make it a bigger cup!

Y: Next time meatballs!

Lion King

'

Y: Can you smell the victory?

M: No, but I can smell the lions.
Y: Well, they are the same thing.

I Drove All night

M: Another highly responsible job for Mr. Marlin. Very expensive, you know.
Y: Well, when I start going, there's no stop to it!
M: You only run after your ball, whereas Mr. Marlin is always agile and alert.
Y: Well, you went swimming after the ducks, but they outran you.
M: Yes they did. Cheeky animals.

Those were the days

Y: Well, we have always been a team, ever since I took Mr. Marlin as my assistant.

M: Mr. Marlin is a renowned fish and squirrel scientist, not an assistant!

Y: Why did you have that string in your mouth anyway?

M: Mr. Marlin was hungry.

I'll be watching you

Y: Well, we have always been very alert and rest very seldom.
M: Yes indeed, very expensive services.
Y:  It's a kind of a neighbourhood watch, a very effective one.
M: Mr. Marlin is always on the watch. Except for lunch breaks, of course.

Mother

Y: Well, we want to wish all mothers a great mother's day.
M: Yes we do!
Y: Sharing food with kids, well, that's kind of acceptable. Thinking of it, I find that the only case where sharing food is ok.
M: Yes... No... A very confusing issue, requires further research.

Bridge over troubled water

Y: Pretty good mood walking, quite handsome I am too!
M: Mr. Marlin is sometimes a little ashamed to walk with you, your coat is not always shiny and clean.
Y: I think you can just mind your own coat!
M: I do! It is very silky and black and shiny.

National Day

Y: You must mean stay at home and eat BBQ chicken and train all day!
M: And rest.
Y: Maybe some sausage as well.
M: Count me in!

National day courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/iheartmydoxie/

May Day

Y: Well, this May 1st Marlin got a new sweetheart, vappuheila.
M: Mr. Marlin does not share chair with anyone.
Y: Well, you are sharing it.
M: Very expensive you know. Although it does have a beautiful smooth black shining coat, like Mr. Marlin.

Birdie

M: Mr. Marlin just loves spring.
Y: Well, we went out today and Marlin was seriously after some ducks and special birds.
M: Don't you just love when nature awakens after winter and different forms of life blossom.
Y: Well, you seriously enjoyed running after them.

Morning Glory

Y: Well, over Easter we had a research symposium.
M: Yes we did. Mr. Marlin continued fish research, it is in very delicate phase.
Y: And I, well, I trained a new researcher to our team.
M: Mr. Iivo is our new biogas researcher, a very good addition to our team.

Growing old (but not up)

M: Mr. Marlin's been forced to take yet another job.
Y: You mean besides being a renowned squirrel, fish and rabbit scientist?
M: Yes, very hard. These days I'm also my sister Yaya's caregiver. She is losing her memory, gets old.
Y: What??? I don't remember asking you for that!
M: See, she is forgetting things.

Inside Out

Y: Well, I believe Mr. Marlin's application for indoor sanitation capabilities is finally moving forward.
M: Yes I think so, today we only had to walk to the mailbox and back.
Y: And after that we had a good rest.
M: Yes we did!

Having a break

Y: Well, we have been quite busy. I have mostly been hunting bears and wolves.

M: You went to the dentist and refused to go out when it was raining. Some hunter!

Y: You know nothing about my hunting trips, you just sleep all day!

M: Mr. Marlin is hibernating.

Snow-white

Y: Well... Marlin found a new way to get a bath and a massage

M: Yes I did, very clever. You know when you go to the backyard and make a poo... and then there is snow all over, so you cannot turn. So you need to come back in reverse, and then you do not exactly see where you step...

Y: She had a very nice flavour in her feet.

M. Yes I did. The humans did not appreciate that I made a full tour of the house after that.

Eat it too

Y: I don't get it... Carrots are rabbit's food, right?
M: Yes they are. And Mr. Marlin loves chicken.
Y: But I just had this weird delicious thing, carrot cake. So I'm confused.
M: Must be very good, fat and sugar.
Y: You had it too!
M: I didn't waste time tasting it.

Hunting high and low

Y: We were on a high alert this weekend.
M: Yes we were, we had received recon information that there might be several squirrels around.
Y: But even after hours of work we did not see any.
M: Mr. Marlin saw a delicious pie though.

Let it Snow

Y: I quit. I refuse to wear anything stupid outside. In fact, I refuse to wear anything!
M: I will wear my super comfortable and cosy jacket. Very warm indeed.
Y: I made a complaint to the Union. I sent them three copies.
M: I sent them a request for food.

Party On!

Y: Stop the press, today's a big day!
M: Indeed! Mr. Marlin has reached a remarkable milestone, 10 years of mrmarlinism!
Y: I remember the day when I bought you...
M: You fool! No one buys Mr. Marlin, way too expensive for the common folks!
Y: Priceless indeed!

Be prepared

Y: Well. we are making up an invitation list.

M: Yes we are, tomorrow is Mr. Marlin's reception for a big day.

Y: What are you planning to offer to your guests?

M: I don't know, but I ate them already.

Clean On

Y: Well, got told off a little bit today, the human woman yelled at us.
M: Yes she did, very impolite.
Y: We found this very interesting bin in the bathroom and investigated a bit.
M: Interesting indeed, they store human baby poo in a bin. Had a closer look.

Book of Dreams

M: We've had a very relaxing vacation, I've been reading a lot.

Y: Marlin is preparing for her professorship.

M: Yes, Mr. Docent Professor Marlin, the internationally renowned fish, rabbit and squirrel researcher.

Holiday

Y: Well... I headed for a vacation. My nerves are wrecked. Still in my old days I had to see this coming. A tiny baby in our house.
M: Keeps yelling, but Mr. Marlin is doing her best to care for the baby.
Y: I'm exhausted. Had to drive all the way to grandma's place to get some rest.
M: Rest is good, I admit.

Rocket man (go away)

Y: Well, let me tell you there are a couple of things I don't like. And I don't like rocket sounds.
M: I like food.
Y: I love chicken and cheese and bun. But I don't like lemon or card decks or party tröte whistles. And especially I do not like nail guns.
M: Mr. Marlin hopes that 2019 comes with global peace and relaxation. And some chicken.
Y: Correct!