​Wabi-sabi: The Definition

Wabi-sabi is a Japanese aesthetic centered on finding beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and natural simplicity. Rooted in Zen Buddhism, it values rustic, weathered, and simple objects over “perfection,” emphasizing that nothing lasts, nothing is finished, and nothing is perfect.

​The Night Everything Changed

​My Tippy is my wabi-sabi.

​On December 7, 2025, out of nowhere, Tippy couldn’t walk or hold her head straight. Her eyes were moving back and forth rapidly. She wasn’t crying out in pain or anything; she just seemed confused and wanted both of us right there with her. She couldn’t stand or walk without our support.

​I found out there’s not a lot that can be done. It usually gets better in a few days or a week. CBD helps with the dizziness. She spent those first days laying in Mema’s lap with supportive blankets and a pillow under her head. Seeing her little eyes going back and forth, unable to stand… I was a wreck.

​She is my support dog, so I was hiding my tears and trying to stay as calm as possible for her. That first night, I didn’t want to go to sleep, afraid she would be gone when I woke up. As sick as she was, she crawled up and gave me a bunch of kisses, trying to tell me, “Don’t worry, Poppa.” 😢 At that point, I didn’t even know what was wrong. I researched the next day to find the answer.

​”Old Dog Syndrome” in Chihuahuas usually refers to Idiopathic Vestibular Disease. It’s a sudden, alarming, yet often temporary condition causing severe dizziness, head tilts, circling, falling over, and involuntary rapid eye movements (nystagmus). While it mimics a stroke and causes vertigo, most dogs recover within 2-3 weeks, with improvements often seen in 48-72 hours.

​2 Months Later: My Wabi-Sabi Girl

​Two months later, I have my wabi-sabi girl!

​The Vestibular disease has altered her walk—she walks a bit like a drunk person now. 😊 She is animated in almost everything she does. She wants to be with me 24/7, and she makes sure I know whenever she leaves the bed to go to her potty pads by the bathroom door.

​The wabi-sabi part that moved me to tears of joy happened just recently. She got down on the floor to go potty, then looked back at me with her little head tilted to the left and those big eyes. She was saying, “Poppa, I’ll be right back.” My other little man, Louie the Chihuahua, always does this, but she never had before. I finally figured out last night why they stop and look back at me before leaving the room. I do it. Every time I leave our bus/tiny home, I turn back to them and tell them, “I’ll be back!”

​Wow. And some people say they are “just dogs.” Not at all.

​Tippy has given me a new perspective on life. Because she loves me unconditionally, I try to love her the same way. I accept her exactly as she is now. The added responsibility of her needing me more has given me a new kind of love for her through the lens of wabi-sabi.

​Remember to find joy and love in the wabi-sabi.

Jg Thought an You read! Ty