TIME, PATIENCE, AND LOVE…
Irecently read the sad letter from Tracie Charles (February issue). I also had a very close twosome; we’ve always had a multi-dog household of five or six retired Greyhounds, Lurchers, and Galgos.
Boris was a Lurcher, and from the very beginning had a lot of problems with his back. He was constantly having check-ups at the vet’s, but he had a great zest for life.
He was around three years old when I took in Brendan, a retired Greyhound. Boris was quite big and butch looking; in contrast Brendan looked so dainty, almost like a china ornament! But these two boys were so close; they’d play tug and chase, and slept and ate together.
Boris passed very suddenly and unexpectedly, just a few days before his seventh birthday; it was a shock for all our family. For eight weeks Brendan would just pick at his food, did not care if he went for a walk or not, and did not play with his toys.
I took Brendan to my vet’s at least four times in the first six weeks after losing Boris.
My vet took blood tests, just to be certain there was no underlying condition, but all came back clear.
Brendan was grieving and I had to let him heal in his own time.
After eight weeks, his eating greatly improved, and he enjoyed walks once more, but this was in Brendan’s own time. He formed a nice bond with Murphy, another retired Greyhound, but it was never the same as with Boris.
Even years later, if the family were looking at photo albums and someone said ‘Boris’, my dear Brendan would jump up, ears up and tail wagging. He never, ever forgot Boris.
All I can advise Tracie is to love Phoebe and in time, hopefully, her heart will heal. I’m amazed at how like humans these dogs can be — their grief is no less than ours; time, patience, and love is all that those left behind need from us.
I wish Tracie and Phoebe all the very best for the future.
Albert (currently recovering from surgery) with his favourite toy, Pheasant, who seems to have lost his legs over the years, but remains his constant companion!
TAKE YOUR TIME
I’m really enjoying Toni Shelbourne’s articles on settling rescue dogs into their new homes.
We recently rescued a cross-breed dog. We know nothing of her background (she was found as a stray) or the experiences she has had to date in her short life.
I know other people who have taken on rescues who seem to be in such a rush to socialise them and introduce them to a wide range of different environments and experiences.
But I think, with our little girl, it will definitely be a case of slowly and surely, a strategy that Toni seems to advocate as well.
Observing your dog, and picking up on all the signals
Toni mentions in her articles, is a good starting point. All too often we don’t observe our dogs enough and fail to pick up on what they are trying to tell us.