Towards Kingdom Life?

Not exactly the lion lying down with the lamb, but getting close - or what do you think?

Farewell Rumble

On my flight back from Ireland I watched the movie 'Marley and Me' - very much what we all experience with our pets. Not necessarily the characteristics of this particular labrador, but generally the place of a pet in the family and the value added, as well as the learning curves through the frustrations of 'delinquent behaviour' and all that comes with training (or trying to) a dog, and the attachment/bond that arises with the animal and the various other members of the family. This has certainly been true of our dogs.

Rumble was a labrador X dalmation - but more labrador. We called her Rumble because on the night that we brought her home as a puppy, she seemed to be making a purring sound. She never learnt to 'fetch and bring' a ball/ stick etc, but was very enthusiastic in chasing around when Judy did the playing. Even when they got older and Judy didn't see so well, Rumble would nudge her to the ball or the ball to her so that she would get it. Rumble aged graciously, and very noticeably towards the end. We thought about 5 years ago when she was unwell that her time had come, but she recovered well after her infected uterus was removed. She had a minor stroke, and then last year soon after we came back from our trip to England and Mexico she suffered a major stroke - and we thought that was definitely the end. But after a few days of just giving her water to keep her hydrated, she got up and started staggering around, and then got stronger gradually and even lost the 'tilt' to her head. What a 'hard core' dog she has been. We put a pool net on and she fell in 7 times, and then seemed to be able to walk around the pool again without falling in. Until recently - when she really became 'frail care material' in becoming weaker and less continent. And then she fell in the pool again, and must have been there for a while because she was in shock, very cold, and shivering. So she was placed in the sun and Paul put a blanket over her - and she seemed to recover from that as well. Amazing, as she was drawing closer and closer to being 16 years old.

As Marley's owner did, so did we - wrestle about when would be the time for her to go to the Happy Hunting Grounds. It is so hard to make that decision. She became weaker and thinner, and had to be carried from her sleeping nook to the sunny grass patch and back again - but she was still eating well and enjoying her food, and happy to have her head scratched and attention paid to her - and would still watch with interest while the younger generation (Bess and Bonny) chased sticks and each other. But then it sort of seemed obvious - she could no longer get up and walk, and couldn't even use her back legs to move herself around, but had to struggle and pull with her front legs and would almost get stuck rolling on her side and trying to get back on her tummy. And so, on Tuesday 14th July, we bid farewell to her and Ned took her to the vet. A faithful dog from beginning to end - only barking when there really was something wrong so that we would know to listen for her bark and follow up on it. Perhaps she is once again encouraging Judy to run around, and enjoying the freedom to run again herself. Thanks Rumble, for being the pet you were. You certainly added value to our lives and our family.

Rumble and Bonny

Rumble is now 15&1/2 years old, has survived one small and one massive stroke, and fallen into the pool seven times since we put the net on. A number of times we have thought she was on the way out, but she rallies each time - a 'hard core dog' in Paul's words. She enjoys being with in the same area of the garden as the other two, although she just lies around and keeps an eye on what is going on even when her eyes are closed. She still enjoys mealtimes, and eats standing up and then sitting down, and then lying down as in this picture - it is too much to stand until she has finished eating.
Bonny is probably going on for 1 year now - we got her from the SPCA in January and she was approx. 8months old then. Food time is very exciting, as can be seen by the eager, expectant look on her face - 'please, sir, can I have some more?' - as she looks to see what is going on in the kitchen. She is a Husky cross springbok - which comes out when she 'pronks' around when we carry her dish to her eating spot. It is still very hard for her to sit, wait, and 'shake hands' before diving into her food!
Bess is now middle dog, age wise, though top dog heirarchy wise. She is as sweet as ever, but just barks too much - a typical terrier trait. Her picture doesn't feature today!
Ah, the joys of pets.

AFLAC Scam

Watch out for it!
Police say that the gang usually is comprised of four members, one adult and three younger ones. While the three younger ones, all appearing sweet and innocent, divert their 'mark' (or intended target) with a show of friendliness, the fourth -- the eldest -- sneaks in from behind the person's back to expertly rifle through his or her pocket or purse for any valuables. Be on the alert!!

This is a photo of a recent attack.

New Puppy

Meet Bess - a pavement special from the SPCA. She joined our family on 1 Feb.2008 and is allegedly a Bull Terrier Cross. When you look at her face and see her 'smile', this is possible to believe. But as for the rest of her, only time will tell. We wonder about bits of Pointer/ Daschund...... But whatever her ancestry, she is quick-learning and pretty much knows her place in the heirarchy, although Ned still has times of plonking her into the submission posture to Judy - the oldest (and smallest) of the ladies now.

Rumble tries not to pay too much attention to Bess. She is 14 years old, a very good age for a Labrador/ Dalmation cross. She is a bit wobbly at times, having had a bit of a stroke a few months back.


Judy at 16 years of age is pretty sprightly considering - she still catches the occasional bird to supplement her diet. Judy is a Staffie/ Fox Terrier cross, and has been a very good 'ratter' since she joined us at 6weeks old.

One has to face the reality that one's pets do not live forever - hence the new blood brought in at this stage, when the older girls are still able to 'train' the younger and teach her our ways! In time we will get another one to be company for Bess (and be trained by her hopefully) when one of the old girls passes on to the eternal 'hunting ground'! Dogs being a 15 year committment (sort of on average), Bess and her future companion will be the last pets we acquire. A sobering thought!