Where Have I been? - Tena Stetler

May 11th Where Have I been?

First of all, I want to apologize to everyone for just kinda disappearing. After my husband’s retirement and our wonderful trip of a lifetime, I returned home, and terrible things began to happen. This is not a poor-me post; this is a life-happens post, and you have to live with it.

First our companion dog of 13 years became really sick. She could no longer walk, had to be carried everywhere, even outside to go potty and upstairs to go to bed.. She’s a 50 lb chow chow so none of that was easy. Eventually, she was in so much pain we had to let her go on October 6, 2025. A terrible day.

Then we discovered that my husband had to have four major surgeries. September, November of 2025, then April 2, 2026. One surgery is still pending. Hoping to put it off till 2027. This is a man who was rarely sick for most of his life and never complains. He is my rock and knight in shinning armor.

A bright light in our lives happened December 14, 2025, A new chow chow puppy entered our life. She is an unbelievable puppy, no house breaking problems, rarely chews on anything she shouldn’t, learned her commands, sit, stay, down, stand, come, and place very quickly. She is now just over 7 months old and much bigger than the picture.

Then disaster struck again. On April 29, 2026, our 28 year old companion parrot had a seizure. We did everything we could to save her. Rushed her to the vet. He tried life-saving procedures for three hours. She passed in our arms. The shock and hurt is still terrible. She was integrated into every aspect of our lives and travels. From keeping my husband company when he shaved, to playing backgammon in the evenings and of course our many RV trips. I realize she had a good life, but still doesn’t help. We are just lost without her.

All these things have affected my ability to write and do promo. I promise that soon, I will complete the book that’s been waiting for over a year, and the other two in the pipeline.

For the first time in over a year, I will be making a public appearance at the Pikes Peak Public Library Mountain Of Authors. Colorado Springs, CO on May 16, 2026, from noon to 5:00 p.m. I hope you’ll come see me! I’ll have all my books with me for sale.