Loving my Oldies

And now she is home forever. [url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/151194269@N04/]Cynthia Waters[/url], on Flickr

An extraordinary thing happened the other day. I’ve been really sick and hadn’t ventured out of the house since Tamar died. Despite the veterinary hospital advising me that her ashes were there to be collected, I was too sick to go out. Anyway, I finally managed to get there earlier this week and when I drove out of the car park, I was behind a big truck with TAMEX across the back. Why is this extraordinary? Because after I picked up Tamar from Canterbury pound over 16 years ago, I was driving behind a truck with TAMIX painted across the back doors. And that is how Tamar was named. I was playing around with it on my head, Tamix didn’t quite cut it and then Tamar popped into my head. Even the following day when we “discovered” that the little boy I’d collected was, in fact, a little girl, the name still fitted.

I agree. I think I stopped faxing when my dogs were about 10. And whilst 100% sure I’ll never have another puppy, I would probably be even more circumspect than that.

I found myself watching a fascinating show on SBS the other day. It was about people with hugely heightened senses. One was about a woman who, after some years of marriage, started to think her husband wasn’t washing properly and telling him he was smelly. This went on for a few years until he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. At some stage they went to a gathering of people with Parkinson’s and when they left she said to him that they all smelt like he did. To cut a long story short, she was given all sorts of tests and was always right about who had or didn’t have Parkinson’s. The one time she was “wrong” was because the person had not been diagnosed, but eventually was. So there is now a smell test for Parkinson’s.

Many years ago, a friend of mine who lived up near Gosford thought it was as cute as anything that the little Chihuahua from across the road used to come and visit her Rottweiler. One day she was visiting me and said she had bad news. Don’t ask me how, but I just knew and said, “Tiger’s been killed.” She said in amazement, “How did you know?” I said that I didn’t, but I knew it was bound to happen. What adds to the tragedy is that the person who ran him over was absolutely traumatised, but imagine a tiny Chihuahua running across a street dappled by trees - she and Tiger didn’t stand a chance.

Yes. Danny, Jeune and Tamar were together for so many years. And Gussy Cat. They saw so many foster/rescue dogs come and go and generally took it all in their strides. All so missed.

You bet.

Thank you everyone. I’m a bit numb - at the beginning of this year, I had five little dogs and I now have only two: Mezza and Sooty, but elderly and health compromised. I have to go back about twenty years to when I last had only two dogs and Gussy cat. The house seems very empty, but Mezza and Sooty are getting a lot more attention. I keep thinking I have something to do and then I realise I don’t have to check that Tamar is okay. A few photos from happier and healthier times which I love so much: Danny and Tamar: Danny and Tamar by Cynthia Waters, on Flickr Tamar, Danny, Jeune and Rover 2008 Danny Tamar Jeune Rover by Cynthia Waters, on Flickr Danny and Tamar: Danny and Tamar 2 by Cynthia Waters, on Flickr

My dearest sweetest little Lion Queen has gone. Loved and treasured since Friday 2 July 2004. IMG_0496 by Cynthia Waters, on Flickr

This story was on the ABC News tonight.

That poor woman . I wonder how many more are in her situation? I know identity theft is rife; I mean other breeders. I hope people in Armidale are rallying around her.

Some of the best photographs I have of many of my dogs were taken by you, @tdierikx

Tamar had a check up with vet yesterday. She is definitely deteriorating and it is now a watching brief . She still eats, drinks and toilets without any issues and we all have a little walk along my street. It is an “interesting” job walking three geriatric dogs: Sooty who is blind and wants to channel a spring lamb, Tamar with her motility issues and Mezza who is never sure whether he wants to come or go. They all can spend an inordinate amount of time sniffing a bunch of grass around a fence post, which is what it is all about. IMG_1298 by Cynthia Waters, on Flickr

They could be mum and bub❤️❤️❤️

“Super cute” doesn’t come close

My dogs are 16x2 and 14. Tamar and Mezza are generally fine in the poop department, but Sooty is somewhat up and down. I always have cans of Royal Canin Gastrointestinal on hand and just mix it in with their normal mince. It’s lovely when they decide they are puppies again

That last pic Does he feel at home, loved and safe already !!

Just fancy, @NikkiandKane is having so much fun cuddling and playing with her new puppy Chase and looking at him adoringly, she hasn’t had time to come back to us Tsk Tsk

Poor little baby. I hope puppy is back with breeder. Presumably, at 9 weeks, the pup hasn’t been given even a week.

You chose well, that’s for sure.

Because “dog people” are just a mix of the general population. Even axe murderers can love their dogs.

Rules My World Rules Our World such wonderful news, @NikkiandKane. Little Chase looks totally adorable. I am sure that I can speak for many many DOLers when I say we look forward to story after story (and photographs) of his adventures with Scout and your family.

Words cannot express how deeply I feel for you and little Dougie. You are NOT a moron; show me anyone who doesn’t make mistakes even after lots of research. Sadly, I was in the same position as you with my first puppy adopted August 1993 when she was diagnosed with heart disease at the age of 8 weeks. She and I were much more fortunate than you and Dougie because I had a sympathetic breeder (but Calypso was mine and it never crossed my mind to give her back) and she lived for three and a half years. Twenty seven years later, I still think of her just about every day. Dougie has been given so much love and care since he came into your life, so although you are devastated and this has been such a sad sad experience, please be gentle with yourself. Deepest deepest sympathies.

Have sent you a message. Not in SA, but have you thought of Starting Over Dog Rescue? Melbourne based, but might have some ideas.

Have you tried SAFE?