What is good about having a pet?
‘Unless one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened’
Anatole France 1844~1924
Patch
Category: dogs
Monday November 1st 2014
Is there an age or year of your life you would re-live?
Adyar. Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
21 years ago today
I saw him from the window of the car I was travelling in. Pink like a newly hatched bird. Scuff marks and cuts across his body, exhausted. At this very moment the course and shape of my life would change considerably.
It was during a tight work schedule, so I was unable to ask the driver to stop. Reaching my destination I was able to call the Blue Cross of India and speak to a contact I had made months before. They agreed to collect the street dog and take him into their care.
The day Tony came to live with me
The dog wasn’t doing well in the confines of the charity’s compound ( which reminded me of the times I had worked for the charity Crisis at their Christmas shelter and some of the men still went outside to sleep, despite adequate space indoors for them to do so) but I got permission for Tony to come and live where I was staying. ( I was so grateful for that) He wasn’t allowed indoors but as luck would have it there was a small new-build in a fenced off area attached to my place of residence. It was perfect.
And this is the beginning of our story. That amazing first year together. Before I took him and a pup to the UK with me.
Why run when you can walk?
How often do you walk or run?
Run? Nah, not happening. Simple as.
Walking, yes, WP. Every day, come rain or shine, we’re out there braving the elements.
It’s a good job I do have my canine buddy, as I doubt I’d be out three times a day on my own. Despite being at one with nature.
Once upon a time, I’d be pounding the streets of London with my perfect shopping pal. Oh yes, we did some walking back then. But those days are over.. Well, let’s never say never.
Tears and Joy
What brings a tear of joy to your eye?
A double-whammy for me with this DP. Thank you WP. Patch, Patches, The Patches, Himself, His Nibs. Bless his little heart, he brings me joy and has in the past brought me to tears – proper go to the hospital and get stitched up kinda tears.
He was advertised on a charity Rescue site as a ‘small dog’. The younger version of him was more lithe, and his head is definitely Jack Russell, so from his pic I thought maybe he was crossed with one of those long-legged JR’s.
I went to meet him and was quite taken back by his size ( turns out he is a JR/Beagle cross..hence as he has aged he has become very thick set) I’d really wanted a smaller dog this time, but of course, having set eyes on him, my heart was taken. He was mine.
The charity had an animal behaviourist ( what a joke and certainly another story there!) and Patch had come through as an unwanted dog from one of his private clients.
On the day Patch arrived, the behavourist talked a lot and said nothing. Everything I tried to say or ask something, he shut me down.
It was early evening on our first day together. All seemed well. I was in the kitchen at the sink. Patch was as far as I know just milling around. Then there was a little nudge at the back of my knee. ‘ Aww’ I thought. ‘ How cute, he loves me already’.
Wrong! I turned with a smile and warmth in my heart only to be confronted by a very angry dog. Whoa! I grabbed a nearby hand towell and pretty much fed that to him until he backed down. Great!
That was the first of many tantrums. Some more serious than others..and I can tell you something- his teeth were sharp, he didn’t let go…and it hurt.
I’m his 4th mom and he’s been with me getting on for 5 years and only now do I feel his anger and upset with the world has abated…
Home is where the dog is…
What do you love about where you live?
Chelsea, London. How I loved living in the city. Absolutely loved it!. And on a day like today, I’d enjoy being back there.
Funny old day Sunday. Maybe a feeling left over from childhood, I don’t know. That grey day.
In the capital, it’s the vibrancy that energy. Just try and keep me away from the National Portrait Gallery, or one of those fabulous eateries hidden down a mostly forgotten street.
It’s fair to say I’ve sailed a bit close to the wind at times, but I also know what it is like to enjoy turning left at the door of a plane.
Today, we went out early. Not a cloud in the sky. There was a very tiny nip in the air, which was exciting. The roads were mostly empty. It was quiet and still – except of course, there will always be someone or something going about their lives. Patch was up for a good walk. As usual, I let him him take the lead 😆 and we stayed out for some time. So peaceful, just us together sharing the moment.
My neighbourhood is the best place ever for dog walking, so much choice. As I said, I leave that choice to Himself.
Patch, my muse
Dogs or cats?
Dogs, but I love cats too
Animals are my thing. I just love them!
Dogs are an absolute passion, I share a life with my Canine companion, and I’d be lost without him.
But it’s cats that really make me smile; their aloofness, the patience they have to sit facing a stone wall for as long as it takes to spot a field mouse. Their way of using that last ray of sunshine to nap in. Their agility and poise. They way they prowl through my neighbourhood and stop outside just long enough for Patch to pick up their scent and react. I’m sure they do that on purpose. Their curiosity. Their stillness.
‘ Dogs have owners, cats have staff ‘ Margaret Benson ( 1865~1916)
Every day’s a school day
On what subject(s) are you an authority?
As this is a daily writing prompt and not an assignment, I shall start off changing the word authority for passion.
Somewhere, I have two certificates( in an old box, collecting dust). I worked hard for : Advanced Canine and Feline Nutrition and Animal Assisted Therapy…and I shall keep on learning about dogs, about anything and everything. I’m wired with a curious mind.
So, if you have dogs and stand still long enough, the chances I will feel the urge to chat with you about them. It is the emotional health of dogs and all animals, really that concern me the most…but I’m not sure everyone is aware, so I’ll just listen for clues
There are many dog-related classes you can attend, experts to guide you with this and that.. but I have yet to come across anyone talking about the animal’s mental health, their feelings. You may mock, but they are sentient beings.
Baden Powell, bit of a dodgy legacy ….however
This man has a lot to answer for…but he did utilise the phrase ‘ Be Prepared’….. Someone else, I cannot pinpoint whom, chose ‘ Be ready’ a variant of the idea, somehow sounds, to me more modern. But there are times in your life you do need to be prepared. A shock factor on top of anything else only adds to the weight of grief.
I’m talking to you today about my old dog Patches. My sole/soul companion. I’m his 4th mom and he has sometimes repaid me with agression. A time I ended up in hospital being stitched back together, when his frustration had nowhere to go..but towards the hand that feeds him.
Sure I threatened him with all manner of alternative living arrangements, but both he and I knew it was just talk. It was never going to happen.
But he’s more frail now. Eleven years old is not always considered a ‘ good age’. But it’s the only data I have about him. He could be older, for sure. He’s feisty when he wants to be. He can climb the stairs ( albeit slowly) and get onto the bed ( with the help of a step-up) He knows what he wants and when he wants it. But I love that about him. His spirit. Eons ago I cared for kids, rose through the ranks and became really good at it. I have/had the same sentiment, I relished my charges being ‘ spirited’. Harder work, but the product ended up a treat!
So here we are. I’ve arranged to take Patches down to Cornwall for what may be his last beach holiday. A very dear and lovely friend has given up many days of a rent free Airbnb break, to accommodate us.I thank you Trish, soo much. Your Shepherds Hut ‘ The Sheppy’, is fabulous! ( Dear readers, should you want somewhere easy going to stay during a trip to Cornwall, get in touch and I’ll give you the details)
I’ve researched mobile vets for euthanasia at home and will use a close by pet cremation services for his final send off.
I had no help or support when I lost my Tony( which happened really fast) and the pain was unbelievable. I used prescribed drugs to get through the loss of Joe and Mia. This time I will have simply preparation when the time comes to lose my companion. So, being prepared..being ready, I can only hope will support my fragile mental state when I lose my ‘ best boy’….
Tony, his first bark
Describe one of your favorite moments.
When he came to live with me Tony was a bag of bones. Battered and bruised, his bare pink skin without fur showed the extent of a life on the street. The years had taken their toll. He was exhausted and losing the will to live.
A large bandage around his neck protected him against further damage. The maggots had made a gaping hole.
It took a while but his misty eyes began to clear. His fur started to grow back. Those bones now had flesh on them. What a star!
And then it happened, someone walked too close to his gate and he barked. Just the once. A beautiful moment.
The heartbeat at my feet
Who do you spend the most time with?
My boy
IN THE BOOMER PIGEON HOLE? 