Pets Corner

Hi, What wonderful and sad stories, at least that poor little dog knew some love and comfort even if only for a short time. We recently lost a dog to snake bite, she was wandering around the vet's surgery when my husband took a cat to be desexed and when he asked why she was there he was told that the owners hadn't picked her up after surgery so I went to see her and one look in her eyes and I was lost. Sheba came home 12 years ago, made friends with our three year old German Shepherd and was my shadow and friend. Sadly by the time we got to the vet it was too late to save her, we had to leave her there as the ground here is as hard as concrete, she is the only pet not buried at home. We said what we all say at times like that,"That's it, no more dogs". I now have two pups, a German Shepherd and a Lab, 12 weeks old and such fun. Our old Shepherd is still with us, she is 16 this year and I should mention Maggie the daughter of a stray we took in many years ago, she's a tiny Pom cross. I saw this in the newspaper some time ago and thought it was just so true; Near this spot are deposited the remains Of one who possessed beauty without vanity Strength without insolence, courage without ferocity And all the virtues of man, without his vices. According to the article it was written by Byron for his beloved dog Boatswain who died in November 1808.

Thanks for sharing your sad tale, xcovkid, I had mixed feelings on reading it, sad for the loss but so pleased your family and Sheba shared the 12 years together and what a lucky day that your husband took the cat to the vet. I also thought the poem was so apt for all that have the pleasure to have dogs as companions. Your new pups will keep you busy I am sure!

You may like to read about Ruswarp and see the photos of his statue

Oh, he looked lovely MR, another tale of loyalty and companionship.

I hope you don`t mind my taking the word "PET" loosely, because if the "Alpha" rated four legged darling that passes himself off as my owner has any pet instinct in him I have yet to find it. His name is "Jonti" and he came to us as rehomed "stray" described as a "curly coated terrier", we immediately decided he fitted the description of an Irish Terrier, but subsequently my daughters have decided he is more of a "Lakeland". There is not the space to enumerate all his charms, suffice it to say he is the greatest thief unhanged. If he got loose, he would be found in the next county and I always have to take him for a walk on a 30ft rope, he barks and wants to chase every moving vehicle he sees, particularly 4x4s (incident with 2 Rhodesian Ridgebacks who attacked him and that was the vehicle which carried them - he bit the brutes' backside). We took him for a consultation with the local university dog behavioural section, I cannot discuss their verdict, apart from saying that one of the comments was "Oh!, I`ve never seen a dog do that before", as he lay down by her door and tried to shove his eyes and nose under the gap to see who was passing in the corridor outside the room (he lies by our back gate and does it even now). I tell this tale, nobody apart from my family believes me, when I take him for a walk - he is instantly, universally loved, I have encountered ladies who have exclaimed as they have put their hand over their heart, and bent to pet him "Oh the little darling - he`s sooooooo beautiful", and go "all gooey", not realising how jittery I am getting for the safety of the outstretched hand. He cost £70 plus all expenses since, consultations etc. I wanted to call him "Winter fuel Allowance", but for some reason he had to get this name of Jonti, which he completely ignores anyway, unless there is food attached to it. Just after he came to us I was moved to write a little essay entitled "What have we done", I might have added "to deserve this", but whatever, nothing has changed since and the only sympathy I ever get is "Oh! he`s just a terrier - some are like that!" Would I call him a "Pet" - no Would I get rid of him - no - it`s more like a marriage `til death do us part - hopefully I won`t have to swing for him.

What a fantastic read Roger, I enjoyed every word of it and I bet other members did too. He sounds a real darling and had you all weighed up from the very start. He also sounds like a rascal. Who would want - I was going to say 'pet' - a dreary companion, and he will always be remembered for his ways. I am so pleased you shared your story of Jonti with us, thank you. I have a feeling we may hear more about Jonti.

Some may have seen these from elsewhere on the forum... This is Toby (front) and Tasha (rear). I sadly lost Toby last August - he was 11 and I had him from a 10 week-old puppy (see second pic). Tasha was 12 a couple of months ago. We visited the breeder in Coventry to have a look at some Sheltie puppies that were for sale. We chose Toby. He wasn't the most boisterous of the litter, but he also wasn't the most timid either. After selecting him we were invited into the house for a coffee (and to sort out payment!) My wife was sat on the settee, whilst I, for some reason, had chosen to sit on the floor. Suddenly in burst this 18 month-old sheltie. She came bouncing in, tail wagging madly, and threw herself down next to me with all four legs in the air - wanting her tummy tickled. My immediate thought was "She likes me!" She got her tummy tickled whilst we chatted. The breeder explained that she (Tasha) was a little too small for "showing" (her sister was a Crufts champion) so she was also being sold. I think SOLD was also the thought that went through my mind. How could I resist a dog that had taken such an instant liking to me? I decided we must have BOTH of them. Anyway, we took Tasha home with us first. It would be another week or so before Toby was old enough to leave so we decided it would give Tasha time to "settle in" at her new home. It wasn't until a few days later, and Tasha had met a few other family members that I realised this little trick of hers - of throwing herself down on her back was just her way of getting her tummy tickled as she threw herself down with her legs in the air next to everyone she met and had absolutely nothing to do with her taking a liking to me!! Toby, at about 10 weeks old, his toy is almost as big as him!

What a great start to their lives for Toby and Tasha. I have a lovely photo of them if you remember in a perfect pose. I am so sorry to read you lost Toby though. I am looking at his puppy picture, just look at those eyes. Thanks for sharing your story with us. I see Tasha is just two months older than my Charlie, but he is going on 8 if you understand as he is as boisterous as a puppy, eats like a horse and as cheeky as a monkey. Thanks Tony.

My current 'charge.' A true ladies dog, they just love him. I've never been stopped so often for a chat about him. Everyone in the local pub loves him and he's generally a pleasure to have around: except if he sees another dog. Small price to pay I reckon.

Cassie (Charmill Cassandra) and Shelley (Dheripark Brighid), sadly no longer with us, always loved and very much missed Cassie was a wise old bird, Shelley mad as a hatter

What beautiful dogs. How old were they?

I think it`s time for another "Shaggy" dog story. "Gina" (an Airedale) came to us as a grown up dog, used to children from a dog rehoming place, I think behind the Boot at Honiley, I`m talking of about 1974. The lady there was a very nice lady and she knew we had two young daughters. Gina was `first reserve` as we had fallen in love (or the girls had) with a young Lab called "Benji of Leamington", the lady did say "come back if he doesn`t fit in. We soon found out he didn`t, carry a plate of food through from the kitchen to the dining room - he could grab the food off it as you passed - but his final down fall was when he put his front paws on my 3 year old daughter`s shoulders and sat her down, to snaffle the food she was carrying on her plate. I can`t tell you the whole story of Gina, suffice it to say she was a wonderful dog, loved by all, but she had her "Moments"!! Moment 1 - she was a "Nanny dog" if we picniced in the park and for any reason left the two of the m (girls) on their own on the rug, she would circle them as a guard dog. Moment 2 - picnic, by Kinlochrannoch, Gina has taken herself off and disappeared into the heather, with her Ginger appearance, she wouldn`t be visible again until she chose to return - she did return this day, as we were sitting down to the food, unfortunately she was preceded by a sheep, luckily we grabbed her as she passed. Moment 3 - she had "greeted" the arrival of the postman in the garden, he had kicked her and reported her to the police - policeman visited and she rolled over on her back in front of him and he said "Oh she`s just a soft thing - we`ve had trouble with that postie before!" Moment 4 - take her for any walk in the country, she could always find a puddle (preferably muddy) and lower herself into it - "please don`t make me sit by her in the car Mummy" Moment 5 - plumber`s wagon delivering central heating stuff, dumps it on front lawn in our absence - we return to find lorry still at the gate and driver standing by the goods, Gina lying by his feet, gently gripping his trouser leg Moments 6,7,8 etc. - when earthly desires moved her she was an escapologist, she produced two puppies who made life a misery for her, forever pulling the fur and whiskers round the nose that clusters on this sort of dog, this went on until she lost patience and picked them up and just tossed them against the wall - didn`t seem to injure them and it wasn`t long before they returned to carry on the fun. Gina didn`t rule the animal roost in our house, we had a Siamese cat - Kandy - who used to sit on the table and as the dog walked by her, hang over and sink her claws into her rear end. Anybody ever kept a Siamese cat? I can tell you a shaggy cat story about that one - most destructive beast I`ve ever come across - even bit the doctor

Hey Roger, are they "moments to remember " or what? Lovely to read though. Thank you. I was once told you have to have an aura about you to possess a Siamese, I had to think about that one as you don't see many of those out and about invading other's gardens. They most likely rule the roost. I love this thread and it's contents.

Beautiful Bohica, I hope we hear more. You didn't mention his name. He looks like a 'Rebel' to me.

We can't help but love em' can we MR. the pair you have shown look adorable. The only trouble having pets is they are not with us long enough Take lots of photos folks they are well worth it as I am sure you are aware