What
happened?
When people ask what we’ve been doing, I always say,
‘Nothing’, or ‘Not much’, because what has been happening in our lives may seem
inconsequential, compared to what other folk have been up to. Time passes and
it’s not filled with exciting trips abroad or fabulous meals in smart
restaurants or trips to the theatre. Nonetheless, our time is fully occupied.
Our oldest grandson was married in August 2021. It was a
beautiful day with perfect weather and it was so good to meet all our family
after such long times apart. Our
grandson and his wife are expecting their first child, a daughter, in March
next year.
In March 2021, Ariella was born to our second granddaughter
and in August 2022 her parents were married before their son was born in
October. We were unable to attend as by then it was impossible to leave Gus
because he fretted so much if he was left alone, despite having canine and
feline company. He needed his own humans – no-one else would do.
In 2021, we
had a dog-sitter to look after the dogs (and cats) but a year later Gus was
thoroughly dependent on us. He missed his sister, as Jenna had died in November
2021, at the grand age of 16, quite remarkable for a Labrador.
Jenna and Gus when young
Jenna in old age
In April 2022, Bertie required extensive dental surgery and
jaw reconstruction. He recovered well, but by May, a month or so after his
operation, he began to be fussy about his food. Bertie was unusual, in that he
was never greatly interested in food, and Labradors are renowned dustbins.
Nevertheless, he had always eaten whatever was placed in front of him, but
quite suddenly he turned his nose up at his rations. Veterinary investigations
showed that he was very ill and not likely to linger long. He still looked the
handsome dog he had always been, was keen to go out for walks, remained the
perfect gentleman he had been since puppyhood, but he was losing condition
rapidly, despite regular B12 vitamin injections and appetite stimulants. We could have stocked a pet food shop with the
different brands of dog and cat food we bought to try and encourage him to eat.
We bought two or three chickens a week and cooked them in the pressure cooker.
Most
things worked for a while but eventually he was eating only minute portions and
plain yoghourt. Our beautiful boy was fading away and we braced ourselves for
his departure and then, shockingly, in August, Gus died.
Gus
Gus was a big, strong
dog, with the heart of a lion and the gentle temperament of a capybara, always
inclined to avoid trouble. He had the sweetest smile and the most beautifully
shaped front paws. He had developed arthritis in recent years, which was being
well managed, and always enjoyed his walks. One night, he was crying and I had
to get up to him several times, to soothe and comfort him. (Our dogs have
always slept upstairs with us, often on the bed.)The next morning, after he had
taken the morning air, he was suddenly unable to stand and I could see the pain
and fear in his eyes. That was his last day with us. He was nearly thirteen.
Those
of you who have read earlier posts may recall that we called him Augustus
Lazarus Cooke, because as a newborn pup he had to be encouraged to breathe. Just
at the point his breeder was about to abandon her efforts, he took a breath and
never looked back. He remained very puppy-like in his ways.
We had expected Bertie to be the first to leave but he clung
on until one day he was no longer coming to lay his head on my lap to have his
ears stroked and was not interested in going for a walk. So that day, in
October, Bertie departed this life. He was eleven.
Roxy with Bertie
Now, abruptly, we were reduced to one dog. Roxy is seven years
old and has never known life without another dog.
It is clear that she is
missing her companions and although she enjoys the company of our daughter’s
working cocker spaniel, Arthur is not a Labrador, and more importantly, he doesn’t
live with us.
Arthur Roxy and Arthur with Barry
Every time she goes out she gravitates towards other Labradors.
There’s only one remedy . . .
What happened next?
‘Dogs’
lives are too short. Their only fault, really.’ Agnes Sligh Turnbull.
