Here's a lovely piece of writing for the dog people

On the whole I'm scared of dogs - until I get to know them and their owners.
I was prompted to read this to see 'what it is I'm not getting' about dogs.
Today I think I'd love to have had a dog like Cobber.

This has made me weep again for a lovely black lab we had years ago. He should have been called Houdini, he was always going walkabout!
I cried for months when we had him put to sleep.

My second husband came as a package with a beautiful Rhodesian Ridgeback.
The dog was wonderful, the husband not so, but unfortunately the dog became ill and had to be put to sleep.
If only it could have been the other way round!

THe afterlife that is .

Roll on part of my 3 months holiday !!!!!

Lovely fallacy Frank , you cling to it

[grin grin grin]

Afterlife for dogs? what is that all about Frank ?

You may be right in some cases Nonu.
Most people I know have said never again and within a week they have taken first steps to get a new dog even if they are waiting for it to be ready at the breeder.
My belief if there is an afterlife with dogs they will not hold it against you if you get a new dog straight away.
They will understand the new dog is going to help you get over the grief although I don't think you ever really totally get over the loss of a pet.
You are also giving the new dog a good life as well.

Frank

Don"t think that strictly true hunter, people need to have time to grieve for the loss of what is very often a Member of the family .

We don"t have a dog although I would not mind one , as we are out of the country for 3 months over the year .

We have my SON and DIL"S though so that is the next best thing

The best way to get over a dog's death is to get another dog ASAP.

Frank

How did I miss this thread and the article about Inca? Does anyone remember the Castaway series? Ahead of it's time but was overshadowed by Big Brother. I hadn't realised that Inca was gone . I tend to overlap my dogs so that I don't have the decision of whether to have another, but I've got an 'only dog' these days which pains me as I like them to have a doggie friend. Just off now to crash out on the sofa with the whippety thing and watch The Old Grey Whistle Test.

Those feelings do pass Nonna. Think of the joy and companionship that you receive for all those years the dog lives with you. Grief for the loss of a pet is just awful. We have been through it several times, as we have always had one or two dogs, except for a few years ago when there was a gap. I yearned for another dog then, and was able to get my dog within a month of retiring. It's lovely having a dog living here again.

Am I alone in being unable to have another dog after making the painful decision to euthanase our very poorly 17 years old mongrel?
Her ailments were all age-related, well beyond the treatment stage and our vet reassured me that 'it was exactly the right time' but I felt that I was betraying her.
I keep getting so far when I see other dogs needing homes but am always deterred by the memory of how distressing the loss was - I don't think I could face the trauma again.

We have replaced dogs very quick when they passed away.
One passed away just before christmas and a private nearby breeder had some which were ready just before christmas but did not normally let them go at that time.
He did however make an exception for us as we were known to him.
I don't think anybody was interested in their other presents that christmas as everybody was playing with the dog.

Frank

Just caught up with this thread again and read Merlot's post - that's so sad, it really brought a lump to my throat. I've been there a few times and it is just so painful

Early last year I lost a special border collie. After a gap of a few months I found the empty house too quiet and was really missing the walks and company, I took on a rescue lab/collie cross who is now turning out to be a delight.

Yes broomsticks my grandson was 9 when we went to get the puppy, and she was introduced to my other two grandsons when they were nearly 2. She recently met my twin 1 year old grandaughters for the first time. She's an adult dog of 3 now, and very well behaved with children. They'll play with her in a few months, but not just yet. My dog adores all the children - she's very patient and will play gently. It's just her tail that goes wild - swings round like helicopter blades!

I think we had better wait until my granddaughter is a little older. She's only a toddler, a bit iffy with a new dog.

I know how you feel broomstick. I was without a dog for about 7 or 8 years before I retired, and yearned to have another living with me. My old dogs had died within months of each other, and the children fled the nest, so it wouldn't have been fair to bring a dog home then. Within a month of retiring, I had found a litter and went with my grandson to pick our puppy. She's sitting in front of me, giving me withering looks as I write!

I'm really missing having a dog at the moment. It takes a lot of getting over when you lose a member of the family every thirteen years or so though. 'Giving your heart to a dog to tear' as Kipling said.

merloltgran that made me feel all goose pimply!!

Rosie got us up in night (well OH to be honest I slept through) and was scooting round the pation as barked us awake too - so we taking her to vets for check be on safe side, and lovely vet we like is off to NZ AFTER this week u ntil Feb!

Dogs are just here for you and they dont argue or question just total unconditional love!!

yogagran, I read the Ben Fogle article last night and found it very moving, thanks for that.
He expressed so clearly how one feels about ones beloved pets. We have an ageing Lab, full of life but poor hips and at 10. 1/2 yrs, we know the same thing could happen in the future as to Inca. Meanwhile we enjoy plenty of walks with him and our younger " Dubai" dog, inherited from our son on his return to UK!

It's the eyes that do it they talk with their eyes.merlot ,am so choked up,and johannathat is simple but beautiful,am now blubbingxxxx
Love to all my doggy lover friends,and our faithful dogs past and presentxxx

My lovely Rhodesian Ridgeback, Nahla, was put to sleep last July. I sat on the floor with her head in my lap. The vet suggested I talk to her but I couldn't utter a sound. Nahla kept her trusting eyes fixed on mine until she finally closed them.

The next day I received a sympathy card from the vet and her staff. They had all signed it.

We had a chocolate labrador.

Hello Holly,

You are in the garden.

Under a cherry tree.

I will miss you forever.

my little Rosie king charles we had for 9 years will be 10 next March and I love her so much she is deep in my heart!!

To the extent that I feel way guilty we have today booked another hol for next year and the kennels we use are fantastic just hate leaving her!

can understand how you feel about your lab, just treasure each day!!

my black lab teddy is almost 10 with the usual labrador lumps otherwise really happy and healthly, whenever I hear a friends dog has died it makes me cry, in a way it is probably because I dread sneezesthe day I lose my boy. on a happier note he makes me laugh first thing in the morning when I am making a fuss of him and he sneezes 3 or 4 times the same thing happens when I return from shopping

To everyone who has lost a beloved dog - I challenge you to read this article written by Ben Fogle without a tear in your eye and a lump in your throat

www.telegraph.co.uk/lifestyle/pets/9399980/Ben-Fogle-I-owe-everything-to-my-dog-Inca.html