A Very Sad Weekend

Sadly our much beloved old dog, Hamie, had to be put to sleep on Saturday. He had been a very much loved member of the family for the past 11 years, almost to the day, since being adopted from the National Animal Welfare Trust in Watford.

He was aged at around 5 years old and was housed on the hard to rehome block, he was a trained sheepdog who was probably kicked out from a farm during the foot and mouth outbreak in 2002. He was a difficult dog, who didn`t really like people at all, but once he attached himself to you that was it! He was a brilliant guard dog who would never let anyone into the house, car or garden if he was there too. Territorial, I think, is the right word for him.

As he was ” difficult” it was always a problem if he had to go to kennels, until we found Mike and Linda at Collaton Kennels. They loved him – especially Mike, and Linda said he`s not difficult but just a  ” quirky” dog, as long as you let him have his own space and don`t try to crowd him he`s fine.

It was during a stay at Collaton that we discovered he was going blind, the signs had been there for a while but, as he was with us every day, we hadn`t really noticed as he knew his way around his own house and garden, and his regular walks, blindfold! He was getting an old boy at least 15 years and possibly 17, he still ate like a horse and loved to go walkies with his little brother.

He appeared to be good for another couple of years but on Friday night/Saturday morning suddenly deteriorated rapidly. The poor boy was exhausted and, although the vet was great and suggested things that might keep him going for a little longer, it really wasn’t fair to see him suffer and it was , sadly, time to say goodbye to a much loved friend.

The little dog, Ice, came to say goodbye to him, at the vet`s suggestion, and this is something I find very interesting and food for thought. In the wild animals live in packs, and they die, we all do, and they disappear but the other animals know why – it happens.  So her theory is if the other dog doesn`t see him and he just disappeared  he knows he`s gone – but where to? and he will keep looking and pining for him. Let him see Hamie after he`s gone to sleep and he knows he`s gone and he knows where – just as would happen in the wild.

Little Ice came in and looked at him and lay down, he was very, very sad for the rest of  the day but seems to have perked up now.

So bye Hamie darling – rest in peace, you`ve had a wonderful life.

PS he hated having his photo take !!!!!!