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| dogtree - 1:36 PM on Jul. 15, 2009 |
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I can’t remember a time when I haven’t had a dog in my life. I was one of those kids who would bring home the strays….you know the kind, “sorry mum, it just followed me home”. So to say that dogs aren’t a big part of my life would be an understatement. I just love them all, big one, little ones, cute ones and ugly ones….they are all so beautiful and it is an absolute privilege that they allow us into their unique world.
Throughout my life, I have had many different breeds to look after. My parents owned a kennels at one stage, so it was my version of heaven. It was a great life and so much fun to look after and care for other peoples dogs. This led me onto becoming a trainer and later a qualified behaviourist (UK Cert).
When my son was born, I had a little mini dachshund called Fritzi. He was the best little dog and was just the most fun to have around. Big dog in an itty bitty body!! Unfortunately my son was allergic to him, so with great despair, I had to find him a new loving home (the dog, not my son……although – just kidding). There is no way I would not be able to have a dog, so researched what I could have around that wouldn’t upset my son. I settled on a mini poodle. We called her Belle (French for beautiful), and that she was. Apart from my son, Belle was my heart. She was just the best little girl and my son and her grew up together. When I got remarried, Belle was in my wedding party. All dolled up with her new hairdo and ribbons. She was indeed the Bell of the ball. As Belle grew, I decided that one poodle wasn’t enough and got another one who I called Snoopy. Hence my login on DogTree “SnoBelle”.
Snoopy was only 5 weeks old when I got him as his mother had abandoned him. My husband and I were at this time on the IVF program, which unfortunately didn’t work for us. Snoopy was very dependent on me for everything. He became as I called him my “IVF” puppy. He was my boy, and helped me through so many hard times and so many tears. I don’t know what I would have done without this beautiful little dog in my life. Unfortunately, when he was only six years old, he was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour and the decision was made to let him go. It was a hard decision, but I owed it to him to ensure that he didn’t suffer and could leave with dignity. I still miss him so much.
Not long after I introduced another little one called Zoe. She was a rescue from a back yard breeder. She was so sick and malnourished that I thought I would lose her. Well, 8 years later she is still with me. She has just been diagnosed with PRA, so will more than likely be totally blind within the next year or so. She is a great little dog. Then we got Charlie-Brown and Holly as a breeding pair. So, as you can see, I had quite the little “Pack” of furkids. Each one of them loved no less than the other, and each so incredibly unique. Charlie-Brown and Holly produced a litter of four. I couldn’t not keep one, so I have Cadbury. He is the funniest, naughtiest boy ever. His nick name is Dufus because he is the clumsiest dog I have every met.
Last year, I lost Belle. She was almost 16 years old. Never been sick a day in her life, so it was quite traumatic to lose her suddenly. She had become the matriarch of my pack, and the others all respected her position. On the day I lost her, for some reason or other I had stayed home from work. Belle stayed around me as she had always done since being a puppy. All of a sudden she had a massive seizure and collapsed. I rushed her to the vet, but it was too late. My beautiful little girl had had a major stroke. You know, I am so grateful that I was home with her that day and that she wasn’t alone. I was able to help my other furkids through their grief (yes, dogs do grieve), and they helped me with mine.
So you see, even though having a dog and in my case a lot of dogs may stop you from doing so many things, especially spontaneously, they enrich our life so much. I have met so many great people due to having these incredible little fellows in my life. They are a great focal point of everything I do. My dogs have been there for me at my lowest of times and at times when I have triumphed. They are my best friends, my confidantes, my little trouble makers, my greatest expense, and they are also the biggest rays of sunshine. I just love them, and would never ever dream of being without any of them. My beautiful Zoe, Charlie-Brown, Holly and Cadbury.
My favourite saying is “A dog may not be our whole life, but they make our lives whole”. |
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