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Paddy-forever

PaddyForever

By PaddyForever,
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PaddyForever

PaddyForever

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Paddy was my first Golden Retriever. He was such a handsome puppy, I knew that he would grow into a handsome dog. And I couldn't wait for him to grow up! He was so incredibly destructive! He destroyed just about everything that he could get his teeth into- clothes off the line were totally shredded, the backyard was turned into a demolition site, even the trees were ring-barked! He would grab hold of my sleeve and pull until my windcheater ripped- I wondered what on earth I'd brought home! At 14 wks, ie, as soon as I could, I enrolled him in Dog Obedience School. Of course, he hauled me around for the entire first lesson, and the instructor even suggested I stay away for a few weeks and practise at home, until I had him under control! Well, we went home and I stuck with it- for some reason I was already in love with that obstinate, arrogant brute! Two weeks later, we passed our first test into the next class, and by six months, Paddy was in top class. Of course, he then hit that terrible doggy teen stage, where he would take off on me at every opportunity, which was pretty awkward in top class, where all the other dogs were doing 'free' heeling! Then, I discovered 'reward', rather than correction training, and from there, we never looked back. I quickly discovered that Paddy was a lot happier to 'perform' when he thought that it was his own idea, knowing that he'd be rewarded for it! We entered our first competition before his second birthday, and by three, he had his C.D.X. title. By then, he was a calm, loving, highly sociable dog, who still had to be warned to stick around off the lead, but our bond was so strong. I could ask him what he wanted, and he would indicate by pushing the item that he wanted, or against a door with his nose to make me open it. Once, he even bought me a live mouse, and dropped it into my unsuspecting hand. It was stunned and in shock, and so was I, but I quickly scooped it up(I'd dropped it, screaming!) and literally drove it out of town. If it had survived that experience, then I figured it deserved to live! When Paddy was six, I enrolled in an animal acting class, and soon Paddy had commercials and still-photo shoots to add to his list of achievements. We also visited old-age homes, kinders and schools with different programs. Paddy would gravitate towards people with special needs, and he was never more gentle than when he was with them. Where had my 'hairy terror' gone? Paddy taught me that the smartest dogs are always the most trouble in the beginning, because no other dog that I have owned since, has 'communicated' as well as he did. Maybe it was the time spent with him, which was a lot. He saw me through my blossoming relationship and marriage, cuddled me through two misscarriages, and saw all of my four beautiful children into this world, loving us all. He was still alert enough to warn us when the Black Saturday bush fires were coming, despite us being told they were nowhere near us. His agitation worried me enough to take the children and get out. Our property was burnt out right up to the house. For the most part, Paddy had aged gracefully, really, and I know that I was lucky with that, too. But about two years ago, he had what the vet thought, may have been a stroke, a terrible fit that lasted a gut-wrenching ten minutes or so. I held him through it, while he cried and snarled, jerked and defecated, until he slowly came back to me. But I knew it was the beginning of the end. It was a couple of months until his next, at least observed, fit. He was put on medication, but it made him so drugged, that he kept falling over. Sometimes, he couldn't get up. I took him off the medication, and he had a fit every couple of months, which wasn't that often, I thought. But what if he was having fits I didn't know about? He had become prone to incontinence both ways, but I could deal with that. If my husband tried to gently suggest that it may be 'time', I railed at him that he just thought it would 'be easier'. I had become a Golden Breeder, first with Paddy's daughter, and we now owned 5 dogs, including Paddy's Grandson. One day, Paddy's Grandson had a girlfriend visiting for a mating. Paddy became over-excited, nothing I said or did would make him calm down. He raced around the yard after her, even though she was way off ready, falling over again and again, until he was literally dragging himself around after her. I had to call her owners to come and get her, but Paddy never recovered. That is the bit I feel so horrible about. He couldn't even get on his dog bed. He would cry for me to help him onto it, and cry again when he wanted to get off, and I'd help him to the loo. He'd have accidents where he lay. This went on for two weeks and didn't improve. I knew it was time. We got someone to watch the kids so we could take him to the vet. I had wanted him to pass at home, but we couldn't let our young children witness it, and I wanted to have him cremated, I couldn't have him anywhere but with me in the end. My vet, the vet-nurse, and my husband, left Paddy and I alone to say goodbye, and I told him how much I loved him, and that he was the best dog ever, and to say hello to my Dad for me. The others came in, Paddy lay there calmly and trustingly, and I held him close as the vet helped him pass over the bridge. And we all cried. He was 15 3/4 yrs old. He is in a carved wooden box now, on my buffet and under his portrait. As I run my hand over the carved wood, I remember the feel of his silken, golden fur, and know that it is only his earthly remains in that box, he is really running free over the bridge. I look at his beautiful Grandson, who I love also, but it's different. Paddy was my 'heart' dog, and I will never have another like him. The night he passed away, I was on Dogzonline, looking at baby puppies, and trying to feel better, and I clicked on French Bulldogs. There had been a litter born that very day, and I answered the add and got pick of the litter, my darling Ezzy, born into this world the very day Paddy left it! So I have Paddy to thank for her as well. She wouldn't be in my life if he hadn't left it when he did. All of my dogs have their own place in my heart, but the piece that belonged to Paddy broke off and went with him when he passed. Goodbye for now, my darling, clever, beautiful, arrogant, gorgeous boy. I loved you so. Thankyou, to whoever is still reading this not so little posting. If you have gotten to the end of our story, then you have honoured my boy, also. I promise never to post anything as long as this again, but we had a long, wonderful life together.

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k9angel

k9angel

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That was a beautiful tribute. I didn't know Paddy but I am :laugh:

R.I.P. gorgeous boy. :)

I am sure one day you will be reunited with your friend, in another time, another place.

Until then cherish all the memories you had together here on this earth.

Take care X

My thoughts are with you.

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koalathebear

koalathebear

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I am very sorry for your loss. I don't think we ever really get over the loss of our beloved pets. My husband still mourns Sagi the cat he grew up with even though his cat died 20 years ago. I still cry whenever I think about our family dog who died when he was 11. Sometimes my husband and I wonder if our pets are lonely waiting for us for so long on the Rainbow Bridge but knowing how patient they are, I know they won't hold it against us :confused: My thoughts are with you.

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PaddyForever

PaddyForever

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I am very sorry for your loss. I don't think we ever really get over the loss of our beloved pets. My husband still mourns Sagi the cat he grew up with even though his cat died 20 years ago. I still cry whenever I think about our family dog who died when he was 11. Sometimes my husband and I wonder if our pets are lonely waiting for us for so long on the Rainbow Bridge but knowing how patient they are, I know they won't hold it against us :eek: My thoughts are with you.

Koalathebear-Thanks so much. I miss my first dog, Elton John, too. He passed away when I was nineteen- twenty years ago now. I hope he and Paddy are running together at The Bridge-they would have loved each other so... :o:cry:

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PaddyForever

PaddyForever

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That was a beautiful tribute. I didn't know Paddy but I am :eek:

R.I.P. gorgeous boy. :o

I am sure one day you will be reunited with your friend, in another time, another place.

Until then cherish all the memories you had together here on this earth.

Take care X

My thoughts are with you.

k9angel-I do cherish the memories-I hope we'll all meet up again, one day. Thankyou for your kind words.xox. :D :cry:

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