cathya

After years of not being on the forums I decided to take a look back at an old story that had meaning to me. I saw the same names, people who had encouraged and mentored me when I began rescuing all those years ago. It was so good to read the same people supporting and advising others. In the past, I had many people on here share my rescue joys and my tears at times. So, I’m back and am looking forward to the interaction with all of you again x

For those of you that know Macky's story, you will also know that Wally my wolfy cross boy was his best mate. Sadly my Wal was diagnosed with multi centric lymphoma about 6 weeks ago & regardless of chemo I lost him on Sunday. I know Macky will have been there to greet him & they will be thrilled to be hanging out together again. So, while my heart is breaking for losing my boys, I am glad they are once again walking side by side.

Run free beautiful girl x

What a great name - just love it!!!!! Glad things are going well x

Oh what fantastic news. Yay for Ellie and well done dogmad and others for your efforts to get this gorgeous girl a real home.

Fingers crossed really hard for this gorgeous girl with her meet and greet. The pictures are beautiful too.

Missing my boy, hoping he is really running free. Lots of family, friends and pooches around but one special family member is being sadly missed on Christmas day here.

Oh and you are beautiful too for going to see her and give her a taste of being really loved

What a generous offer, hope it helps her. Thankyou.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts for my beautiful boy. My Macky came home yesterday. His little box says Mack - my gladiator. I have a lock of his fur, it helps xxxx

It is with unbelievable sadness that I let you all know that yesterday I lost my gorgeous boy Mack. Those of you that knew my Macky knew that at 11.5 years of age, he struggled with aggressive bone cancer and its associated problems. Mack has, and I'm sure will always be, my most rewarding and heartbreaking rescue ever. He has been my dearly loved friend and a dearly loved and respected member of my doggy pack. We all miss him terribly. I read a post recently about rescue making you lose your mind but find your soul. I found my soul with this boy. Having Mack in my life has changed me - for the better I think. I have never felt such compassion and love as I felt with Mack in my life. The vet told Macky yesterday that he should have been a 'gladiator' because of his determination to survive all odds but sadly yesterday my gladiator got too tired of the fight. I am heartbroken (and my doggies at home are fretting terribly over his absence).Please say your most heartfelt prayers for my beautiful gladiator boy and pray that he is running pain free and that he knows how loved and missed he is xxx

Such a perfect girl, good for u for seeing just how perfect she is xxx

I appreciate it lots. They came up beautiful. The little beads are handcrafted porcelain. The cats are cute too. I bought them for the dog and cat themed suncatchers I am making and thought they'd look nice on the cross. k9angel, the words and poem you have written for your Whitey are just absolutely beautiful and clearly tell of the love you had and still have for him. My heart feels very sad for you and for your loss. He will wait for you x

Sorry buddy but I think you watch a little bit too much tv and whats with the taste human blood thing.They are dogs not vampires.Thats like saying every dog that hunts pigs is unsafe and that would be wrong too.Any dog that tastes human blood and not in the context of protecting owner or property or owned by the services should take a dirtnap. What kind of vicious dogs being owned as pets are we talking about?You cant make this breed a safe breed?Dude you dont know what you are talking about.I have owned them for a long long time I also have small children.Rule number one always surpervise them.Know your own dogs and un derstand animal behaviour and recognise signs.Dont own unstable dogs nor make excuses for them.It does not take just one thing to set them off at all.You make them sound like they are a crazed killing machine and if they were as you described no one would be able to own one as they would be uncontrollable and that just is not the case I am sorry to inform you.You have been blinded by the media sensationalism as have many.The real American Pitbull Terrier is not a child killer. EXACTLY Bulldogsforever, how many of these stats about dog attacks include a temp assessment on the owner - not many I would think! Anyone that generalises about a dog breed (or anything else for that matter) is simply revealing their ignorance .

Well said Poodlefan, I would just bet that the owner is devastated as they say. Of course they are, they are now possibly (and hopefully) going to held accountable for being irresponsible. My prayers are with this family, the little girl and her dear mum who apparently fought so hard to protect her child. As a mum, I can only imagine the sheer terror of seeing this happen to your baby. I have certainly shed a tear for the child's loss and for her mum.

Thanks Aztec Gold, have ordered puppy packs with both.

Be warned - long mushy post to follow: Yes, I cried too when I met Mack and most of the way home and at the vets when we arrived there (on the way home) and numerous times again in the first couple of weeks Mack was here. But I find I don't anymore because he makes me laugh. He nudges me hard to pat him when I'm on DOL and doesn't give up until I stop and focus on his pat. He wags his now furry tail like mad and tries to bounce around like the rest of the pack when I arrive home from work. He is so strong that I have to battle him to get out the front door without him - he makes a bolt for the door if I even move a lead an inch. He knows where the treats are kept and manipulates me beautifully when he wants one (cuddling up and gazing into my eyes then running to the treat cupboard). He will stand for an hour if I'm brushing him or scratching his head then look at me as if I've ripped him off when I stop no matter how long I've been brushing or scratching him for. He howls like a giant wolf whenever an ambo goes nearby with it's siren blaring (and starts the whole pack off howling). If I get too close he gives me a big slobber kiss right up my nose. He barks loudly and does the tough stance if anyone looks anything like coming onto his property or near his mum. He heads for the front door at around the same time everyday (with his mate Wal) for their afternoon sit on the verandah without the young ones (relax time) then now goes to his bed when he's had enough. He growls at the young ones when they are going ballistic to let them know he's had enough and to behave themselves. He now spits out his pain medication if I don't hide it in enough devon (and no way he will now eat in in cheese). Like Wally, he scratches his butt on one of the lower bushes in the back yard just because it feels good. He gets frisky with my old staffy girl every now and then and is sure he still has it in him - although she clearly thinks he's an old fool He walks into the vets and groomers (after numerous markings of territory) as if they are damn lucky to have him there and as if he's the man of the moment. And, above all else (aside from the occasional grumpy times because his medication is wearing off) he IS truly a handsome, happy and loving boy who was worth every tear along the way.

Not a super clear pic of Macky but a very gorgeous one - laying on his bed near the CD player listening to relaxation music with his little pup mate Lady Lamington!

Thanks frenzied1, this is not the first time your kind words have helped me through this so happy and so sad time for my Mack - thank you so much for being there x The other reason I'm posting is to tell you all that Mack just loves Medwyn Goodall - Medicine Woman CD. He goes to sleep whenever I put it on and lays next to the speakers - it is so funny considering it's also MY relax music! So...he's not just smart, or handsome, or loving, he's also got good taste

Thanks everyone, I'm very proud of my boy!

Who is this GORGEOUS dog ???.... not only with a full coat of shiny black fur and a chubby tummy but also in his new bed at his own initiation

Thanks so much Scarlett Dog. I certainly don't think I'm anything special but dog rescue can't help but make a person better I think, especially when it comes to dogs like Mack. He definitely brings out the best in me. I've met (in person and through DOL) some amazing, compassionate and caring people in rescue which has really opened my eyes to a whole new world of 'other focused' people which isn't always so apparent out there in the non dog rescue world which can, at times, be disheartening to say the least. It has even opened my eyes to some people in the community that genuinely care about rescue and want to help in anyway they can. I find that while rescue can be heartbreaking, it has helped me see just what I (and others) am/are capable of, what my limits are, and that we should never stop looking for that thing in life that makes us feel whole. At almost 50, I've finally found that and Mack has certainly contributed to that feeling in a huge way. Everyday, I feel so glad he came to be with us, for him and for me! He just fills my heart with overwhelming love everytime I look at him, it's a wonderful feeling.

Thanks so much Sezz. I think I'm so fortunate to have my pack, they are all great. Wal has been my special mate (if I can say that) for such a long time and now he has a special mate - Mack! Wally and Mack are great mates and have very similar natures and Wal is VERY protective of Mack! Amazing really, seeing Wal used to not get on with other adult males and I had two very expensive dog trainers tell me there was no hope for him so it's been a good thing for Mack and for Wally. Mack and Wal hang out together 24 hours a day. Wal growls at the others if they barge into Mack or try and eat his food and he goes outside to check on him if he takes too long. Wal gets very upset if Mack goes out without him (eg to the groomers). It's pretty clear here that I'm not the only one that feels we were very fortunate to have Mack come into our lives

Thanks so much frenzied1, I think I have a gorgeous pack too and like you I just love the big scruffers! I think Mack has also complimented my pack by teaching them some courtesy and respect for their elders