Little Gifts

Cordelia you join a lot of other beloved dogs who gave their all to us humans but whose time on earth has unfortunately ended recently. You will all live on in our hearts and memories. XXX

I don't have the words tonight Rach but please know that I'm feeling your pain. This is a significant loss for you and your family. You and Whitey both so hard for it to be otherwise. I'm sure Jay Jay has greeted him and welcomed him over the bridge. Rest easy now boy.

Sorry, I have no words of comfort as I'm still grieving over the loss of my own staffy girl almost a month on. Stella obviously got the life she deserved, even if it wasn't a long one. She looked like a bright and happy girl with a lot to give a family. She obviously made a major difference in your life too Rach and how wonderful that you got to watch her blossom and be loved given she was your first rescue. I think that in itself is special. big hugs - the losses suck. Alyson XXX

I got some books from the library yesterday - Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul and a book of pics and stories called Old Dogs. I looked at the ages in the Old Dogs book and realised that Ricky was pretty freaking old for a dog. Certainly older than any other dog my family or friends have ever owned. Then I looked up studies on the Internet and only 8% of dogs make over 15 years and the average age for an SBT is only 10! I'm sure that figure would be even lower for a dog like Ricky who was originally trained to protect her owner's ute and tools during the work week and go pig shooting with him on weekends! I don't think I really realised how significant her age was before because I've been so focussed on thinking did I let her go too early. She had certainly slowed down this year but was still a very integral and active part of this family rather than just an old dog who spent her time laying about waiting to draw her last breath. I think the feeling of loss really stems from how much of my life I have shared with that one animal. Every major decision in my life for the past 16 years has included factoring Ricky's needs into it. But I'm trying to think more about how much she fitted into such a long life because she was right there in the thick of things right till the end. She never let her age or health problems stop her from doing anything and in turn I guess we kind of forgot that she really was very old for a dog. I hope I am so lucky to be oblivious to age too when I hit my twilight years. We still miss you Rick but you lived life to the fullest and that is the best thing I could ever offer a dog.

Congratulations on your new dog Ruthless! Ha ha! What about a name like Marlow which sounds similar to Bruno. I think there used to be a detective in the old film noir days called Phillip Marlow and Bruno needs a cool name. Or even something like Pluto? He is very purty and already thinks he's home so you may as well stop being in denial!

My morning routine is something like this - alarm goes off, I get up, do some chores, get myself organised for work and head to the kitchen. My stafford Stussy crawls out from under the doona and blankets, races outside and pees as quickly as possible before running back inside in time for her bowl of biscuits to be placed before her. While she eats I remove her hoodie. As soon as her bowl is empty she turns 180 degrees to sit next to me while I eat my toast and coffee. Sooky la la face normally results in some corners of toast. Once it is clear all the toast is gone Stussy goes back to bed while I have a shower. I come back to the room to get dressed and put my make up on. I must be careful where I sit on the bed as those doona lumps could very well contain Stussy. Once I am ready to leave for work I grab a couple of dog cookies, which brings Stussy out from under the doona again and out the back door where she sits nicely for her biscuit and takes it to her outside undercover bed and blankies to eat. On a nice sunny day I know she sleeps on her other outside bed that is in the sun but apart from that I think she just curls up in her fleecy blankets till I come home again! Oh to be a dog!

Thank you everyone. I didn't realise I would take it this hard given Rick was never a smoochy/cuddly type of dog that I could fuss over. But she and I have a long history together which has bonded us in a special way. My sister bought me this beautiful heart shaped dish that is covered in angel wings and I have put her tag and some other mementos in it. The small painting she did has been mounted on a little easel and is with me at work while the big painting is part of a collage of three now in our lounge room. Ricky is buried in the back yard on top of her son who passed away 3.5 years ago now. I can't plant a tree there but I am happy she is safe there. I also did a big spend up on some collars and leashes for some rescue groups across three states and kind of did it as her legacy given Ricky was a temp care dog who just never left.

I thought I'd be able to be as strong as you always were and recall all the funny stories about you or remember the time you stayed by my side when I had an accident and couldn't call for help or the night when we had a home invasion and you protected me from harm. But despite having you for almost 16 years out of the almost 17 you lived all I can still focus on is whether I did enough. You were old and you had your issues but I still can't move on from wondering whether I could've made more adjustments for you and kept you with us just that bit longer. The whole house is very empty without you. My sister and I keep looking for you and calling you, forgetting you are gone. The other dogs are just moping around like they don't know where you went. I put all your stuff away last weekend but it seems like it is still there where it has always been. We stayed with you while you went and I felt it was the right decision then but as the days move on I feel sadder and am not so sure the timing was right. I've only just been able to look at the pics we took of you the last morning doing doggy paintings (pics below) and you look so alive and happy. You were riddled with very serious ailments but you were the toughest dog I have ever known and never gave up. I feel like maybe I did and that you deserved better given all you have done for me over so many years. I'm missing far more than I expected. There is just sadness that you no longer get to experience a sunny day, a good rub down or a home made biscuit. All things you loved in your old age. I hope you are happy wherever you are now, playing up a storm, licking to your heart's content and never, ever again having to visit the vet. Love you tough girl - you and I have a lot of shared memories. XXX

`He looked like a gorgeous boy Wendy and you named him after my favourite vampire! It is hard to lose a little one that fought so hard but you gave him more than his parents did and he obviously loved you back with all his chirping. Big hugs. XXX

Rach I'm so sorry. I know how you feel because I had to let my old girl go the day before you lost Jay Jay. I'm not sure went wrong with Jay and I know you have also been facing constant battles with Whitey. You have a huge heart but that also means it is more susceptible to pain and loss. Big hugs coming your way during such an awful time. Alyson XXX

As planned I said goodbye to my old girl this afternoon. This morning we played in the sun and made doggy paintings. I gave her a brush and just tried to make things as normal and pleasant as possible. I didn't start crying till in the car going to the vet (and didn't stop) but the deed itself is so quick and peaceful (although I have heard some dogs respond differently). She is buried in the back yard and despite the house feeling so empty I do not regret my decision at all. Once at the vet I had no doubts about whether it was the right time or whether she still had a few more days or weeks. She will still be part of this household in spirit just like her son before her is still part of my little family that is no longer with us physically. But I am so very sorry you are having to face this with such a young dog. Life can be unfair but if you believe in fate then trust that even if his time is short Oscar was meant to be with you and help you learn and grow.

I was heading to my vet here in Beenleigh at lunchtime today and the traffic was crazy, like I've never seen before. The vet assistant told me there been a major accident on the highway (further south I think) and they were detouring all the cars inland and through Beenleigh then back on the highway. I heard a truck was involved, that 3 people were dead and another had been rushed to hospital. Missed the news tonight so don't know any more than that but will keep my eye out too just in case I can help.

My sister had a really old, manky smelling and looking cat and no-one liked to pat it because of said mankiness. I used to take all my dogs over to visit some nights and one of my SBT's was a real licker so she'd get stuck into the cat and groom it to within an inch of its life. It would be dripping wet, even inside the ears and the teeth got cleaned! I'm not sure it liked smelling like dog slobber but it certainly loved the attention and used to prop itself up and purr away while it was getting its makeover. My dog was always very satisfied with her work!

My old girl is totally deaf now and I can run the vacuum right beside her and she doesn't even wake up. So instead of moving toys so I can clean I have to move her.

Having a dog with a deteriorating disease/illness is one of the hardest things to deal with and it doesn't matter how old or young they are. I have faced this issue every single day this year with my almost 17 year old SBT. Sure she wants to be with us and seems to be happy enough but my greatest fear is her having some kind of accident or deterioration when no-one is home. I couldn't bare to think she needed someone and no-one was there. I couldn't bare to think she suffered something needlessly because she does not show pain easily. I have made the big decision for this saturday afternoon and my vet is staying open just for me. I have made the appointment once before and changed my mind and I can't honestly say I'll be able to look at her face and go through with it this saturday either but I think I have to as she is so bad on her back legs now she is just a serious accident waiting to happen. She was my first SBT rescue and has never been a touchy feely type and is certainly not my heart dog but still this is an incredibly painful thing to even think about. I guess what I'm trying to say is that sometimes, whether we like it or not, this has to be about what is best for our dogs and not what we are ready for or can cope with.

So just send donations care of the website BMAK?

I think it was me Pers - trying to keep a sock on the back foot of my old sbt because she is dragging it and causing the toes to bleed. The surgical tape is managing at present but these suspenders are very cool!

Colliewood it is really up to the current rescue group how we make the donations. Some have an account we transfer the money to and others give you details of the vet or kennels (or whatever you are covering) and you can make a credit card payment over the phone so money comes straight off their account. Once it is decided by the rescue group what is going to happen with this poor dog it will be clearer on what donations are needed and where they should go to. You need to keep your eye on this thread to see what ends up happening. Usually any bank account details (if not available on a rescue groups website) will be pm'd to you once the logistics are sorted out. And I know you sound committed to donating but it does happen that people offer then don't come good when the funds are needed so it is good to always be honest about whether you can help and how. These cases always pull at the heart strings.

Horrible, horrible, horrible! I've already processed my May donation (which is assisting another rescuer with vet bills for puppies) but can donate $40 now and $40 again next month whether she goes interstate and needs money for travel or whether she stays in Newcastle and just needs money for medical expenses. I'll keep my eye on this thread.

There was a thing on the radio not so long ago about whether people stop or swerve for animals on the road. The majority of people said as awful as it was sometimes it was a matter of staying safe on a busy road and swerving was just putting yourself and other drivers and their passengers at risk. Obviously if people had a safe choice they would swerve. I still remember being at a friends house when I was in primary school and dad stopped to pick us up. Their little dog was a tyre biter and it went between the front and back wheels of dad's car and was killed instantly in front of all of us kids and the owners. He was actually slowing to a halt at the time. Sometimes you can do nothing and things still end tragically. I am very sorry little white dog. I hope your parents eventually find out what happened to you so they can grieve.

I have a very old SBT and I buy these for her. She has about 10 in different colours now. They keep her very toasty, they are light and don't seem go out of shape with numerous wears and washes. They also dry quickly and don't take up much space when rolled up in the drawer in winter (unlike knitted or padded coats). I also live in QLD but with age my girl feels the cold now so she wears hers 24/7. She wont settle if she is cold.

If anyone is looking for a fantastically fun, no sew dog bed then check this thread and tute out! www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=236744.0 And thank you to Deltron for the original link to Crafster! It is a fantastic site!

We always had dogs, cats, rabbits, kangaroos, possums, horses (including clydesdales), donkeys, goats and birds (like cockatoos)as kids and was left unsupervised with all of them. Lots of them were free to even be in the house. We had even more dangerous animals in cages that we were left unsupervised around (and could've lost a finger). If we got hurt then it was considered our own fault for bothering the animal. When I was only a toddler I used to like to sit on the back step and eat my toast each morning. Our dog would invariably steal it off me and I would cry. Apparently one day I bit the dog in retaliation for the theft and mum came out to find us both sitting on the back step crying. But fast forward to today and I know if I had kids I would never leave them alone with any animal until they were old enough to know how to be around them safely, as much for the animals as for the kids. So for me it is funny how the times change and I would not do what my parents did.

Just got my VIP mail from Spotlight and there is a very cosy dog jammie pattern on it - Vogue #8312. The jammies are pictured on a golden retriever, it has long legs and a high collar (no back legs though). They have plain coloured fleece on special for VIP members for $6.99 a metre. Think I might just get hold of that pattern for future use given it covers large sizes!

Sezz, with any leftover fabric you have to make yourself some matching jammies and model them too!