This lovely little black bundle has been my closest companion, through thick and thin.
To say I loved him to bits doesn’t quite cover it, he was my very own canine sailor, and I was lucky to have him.
He sadly had a tumour and only showed signs of it when it was too far gone to do anything for him…
Letting him go was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. I knew in my heart though that he had lost his sparkle and was not the happy little chap he always was, I was not prepared to see him go through the pain that was inevitable.
I spent the last two days with him on the boat and spoiled him rotten! All the things he wasn’t supposed to have were his for the taking, chocolate, cheese treats and anything else he wanted. It was nice that he was still well enough to enjoy all these usually forbidden treats. He had belly scratches and neck rubs galore, even directing my hand with his paw so I knew just which bit I’d missed!
We cuddled, played and acted daft, I cried and cuddled some more, and knew my decision was the right one.
I took him for his last walk, and instead of rushing him, let him sniff everything he wanted, and believe me he sniffed every blade of grass, lamp post and tree!
As rotten as he must have been feeling, he still mustered up the energy to play with his favourite ball, his tail rigid and upright in hunt mode when I hid the ball up my jumper!
I loved that we had that time together. It was hard as he didn’t look as ill as he really was, he was just tired and not his usual self.
He spent his last afternoon lazing on the back deck of the boat, his favourite place. It was a mild day, and it was nice for him to just do what he loved best and watch the dogs walk by on the opposite tow path.
The Vet and Veterinary Nurse were so lovely, they made the whole process dignified for both Bobby and I, and made it as easy as it could be to say goodbye to him, I will always be grateful for that, as I know how often they must do it, but they made me know they really cared.
I will thank them with a card and well deserved chocolates and Wine.
I would also like to thank with all my heart :-
Lesley, who got me through the whole process from start to finish, without her I would have been totally lost. Bobby would stay with her if I went away, her, and her Son Jordan were affectionately known as, “ Doggy Pontins”, and Bobs liked his stay with them.
Danny, who was also an absolute brick and like Lesley was there for me at the hardest times. He had only known Bobs for a short while but was really taken with him, as Bobs was with Danny,in his aloof manner! ( Bob being the aloof one, not Danny)!! I was so pleased he had the chance to get to know the lovable cute character Bobby was, if only for a short while.
My Mum, Dean, Kirsty and Heather who like me, were really upset to hear I had to let Bobby go, as much for me as him because they knew how special he was to me.
Mark who came to say farewell, and was there as a neighbour and friend if I needed him in an emergency in the middle of the night.
My work mates who were all really supportive too, and all the lovely friends who left messages on my fb page, it all really helps.
It also helps to write it all here too, no apologies, as I need you all to know just how special he was, oh and gorgeous!
I have many many gorgeous photos of Bobby, but the one at the top of the page is one of my favourites. I will frame it and hang it up in the boat, adorned with the third place rosette he won, in the one and only Dog Show he entered. The Category was Scruffiest Dog and he came third, how proud was I?!!
The photo will be a reminder to me of all the lovely and happy years I had with one very, very special little Dog, who will be very sadly missed, but who will always conjure up memories of his comic ways ,which will never ever fail to make me smile…
RIP Gorgeous Boy xxx
The Rainbow Bridge
inspired by a Norse legend
By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,
Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.
Where the friends of man and woman do run,
When their time on earth is over and done.
For here, between this world and the next,
Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.
On this golden land, they wait and they play,
Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.
No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,
For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.
Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,
Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.
They romp through the grass, without even a care,
Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.
All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,
Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.
For just at that instant, their eyes have met;
Together again, both person and pet.
So they run to each other, these friends from long past,
The time of their parting is over at last.
The sadness they felt while they were apart,
Has turned into joy once more in each heart.
They embrace with a love that will last forever,
And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.
