The Dog Days of My Life: #10 - Dominie

Dominie at 5 months

We travelled from Berkshire to Devon to meet Dominie. She was sixteen weeks old and had gone to a friend of the breeder but was returned when her new owner became too ill to cope with her. As we arrived at Joan Atkinson's home in deepest Devon we were greeted with deep barks from two dogs and a large puppy. We thought the puppy could not be the one we had come to see as she was so big but we were wrong. She and her parents came bowling into the room and fell on us for cuddles. They were true ambassadors for the Dalmatian breed and were big, splendid dogs. We drove home with our new large black-spotted puppy, Bethan keeping her company in the back of the car.

If a dog could be said to be disgusted Cariadd was just that. She reacted to Dominie as Whisky had to Biddy so many years before. There was no unpleasantness – Cariadd simply tried to ignore her. In fact, if she had really not wanted anything to do with her she could have moved away from her but she allowed Dominie to lie close to her and chew her collar – which was still round her neck – every day. She had a number of collars while Dominie was growing up but would not play with her. I'm sure if she had been a Jack Russell-sized dog matters would have been rather different – Cariadd was always under the misapprehension that she was very small and she preferred the company of little dogs. Though Cariadd wouldn't play with her she didn't mind Dominie chewing her logs!

Dominie had not learnt to coordinate her limbs and fell into our garden pond at least once a day for a couple of weeks after we brought her home. Out walking with her the thunderous sound of her huge paws pounding the forest floor was quite remarkable. If the ground didn't quite shake it certainly reverberated. Over time as she developed and regularly ran with Barry she became a graceful and powerful athlete.

Dominie has never been a brave dog; she is easily spooked by things or events seen or imagined. A log where one has never been before on a familiar path or a Forest Ranger's vehicle are quite enough to make her stand stock still and stare very hard. On some occasions she has refused point blank to travel further along a path she doesn't like the look of. It's an odd feeling when this happens and makes me wonder about extra-sensory perception but as the other dogs are happy to proceed I think there is little to justify such an interpretation. Most of our walks pass through forest land adjacent to the large grounds of a well-known high security psychiatric hospital (formerly known as a Criminal Lunatic Asylum) and it would be easy but wrong (probably) to suggest that occasionally Dominie senses malevolence.

When she was two years old we thought she would appreciate a playful companion as Cariadd was still steadfastly refusing to play with her. They ran and swam, ate and slept together but playtime was not on Cariadd's agenda, at least not with another dog. She played with us! We began the search and tracked down a litter in Devon which had one liver-spotted puppy. Coincidentally his mother was Dominie's half-sister. Gareth named him Buddy and Bethan decided she would like to train him for the show ring. When we took Buddy indoors, his beautiful green eyes glowing, the expression on Dominie's face was one of love at first sight. Dominie had been spayed but we had always thought she would have been a wonderful mother and so she proved. In fact she was much more indulgent than his own dam would have been, allowing him to chew her neck raw and any other part he fancied. She played so gently with him. Cariadd maintained her dignified position as top dog, grumbling at the two youngsters if they became too boisterous around her. Dominie mothering Buddy who was learning to cope with a soft lead
Many people who have not met Dominie before are a little afraid because she looks very stern with her black eye make-up and big ears but they soon realise that she is as soft as butter and incredibly friendly. She loves to meet and greet humans and dogs alike and those she knows she hails with a gorgeous warbling chirrup. These days she is handicapped by hind legs that don't work properly so requires wheels to help her along on our walks. Dominie stops for a sniff

She needs a helping hand on the slopes

Yo ho heave-ho!

It is sad to see this once tremendous athlete so physically reduced but her spirit is strong and she is alert and interested in everything in her domain. She is most insistent that she will accompany us when we go out with the dogs and wants to be in the midst of events indoors. Thus when we are in the kitchen being domestic she whines and squeaks until we help her off her bed and follow her stuttering progress. The legs work for a little while and then she collapses gracefully, content that she has company and there's always the chance of a titbit or two. She remains at the head of the hierarchy. She is fifteen years old now and we know that soon she will be travelling on. She has given us so much joy and laughter and if ever a dog could be said to be kind, then that is the correct description for our gentle old girl.

Dominie and the young dogs

Dominie in November 2008 not long after she started wearing her harness and before she needed wheels.

Foxy keeping Dominie company. The reflective strips on Dominie's harness are very effective!

Dominie is restricted in her movements. Once she's on all four paws she's able to stagger around but with only her front legs working to maintain her position she is easily knocked off balance. Like all sensible dogs she then gives in and falls gracefully (sometimes not quite so gracefully) to the floor. She is then effectively immobilised until lifted by means of her 'Ruffwear' harness and placed where she indicates she wants to be. She's a very patient animal and only vocalises when she needs something. It may be that she wants to turn round in her bed – she can roll from side to side but can't stand up and change position. Sometimes she wants to go outside to relieve herself or to drink from the pond or simply to wander round the garden sniffing. At other times she wants to drink from the two gallon water container in the kitchen which is refilled each day or else she just wants some attention. She's always been a very affectionate dog but can't bestow affection independently any more. Stroking and talking to her, letting her lick one's feet (a great cure for Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) and extremely relaxing) help her to understand that she is still involved in family life.
This morning she fell over and started to whine. Jenna immediately went to her to try and give her a toy. When Dominie showed that she wasn't interested Jenna started licking her. Every time Dominie told her to stop Jenna politely turned her head aside and then resumed when Dominie was quiet again. By this time Foxy had gone to see what was going on and started trying to groom Dominie, again stopping when Dominie asked her to. It was fascinating to watch the interplay between the elderly Dalmatian and the two young working Labradors. The old lady accepted their attentions but strictly on her terms. They were respectful, quiet and calm, understanding that though she may be frail and sometimes helpless she is nonetheless the elder, the head of the hierarchy.
Once Dominie was settled and relaxed again the two youngsters had a rough and tumble together. Jenna and Foxy letting off steam. Jenna is always in the ascendant even though she's a few months younger than Foxy. Foxy restricts Jenna's 'attack' by grabbing her collar.

Although there's a great deal of noise and some clashing of teeth they are simply playing and there's absolutely no aggression in their play fights. Foxy and Jenna both come from Threevalleys Gundogs in Wales and are bred to work cooperatively. Their breeders, Charlotte and Ali, spend hours with each litter of puppies socialising them. Consequently the pups are very confident and friendly.

The eternal triangle!

Foxy: C'mon, Dominie, let's play - Jenna's not looking!


Foxy: Oops! Spoke too soon!
Dominie: Mind where you're stepping, Jenna . . .



Foxy: She's gone - c'mon, c'mon . . .


Dominie: Jenna, Foxy's playing with me. No, we don't want to play chew the bone. No, no, we really don't . . .


Foxy: I'm not saying anything.


Dominie: Ignore her - she'll soon go away.
Foxy: . . . but she's my friend - you're my friend - I want to be friends with everyone.

Last evening Gillian and I were in the dining room and we were gradually joined by most of the non-human animals and Barry. The three youngest humans in the house were in bed, supposedly going to sleep. Foxy, Gillian's fox red Labrador was lying next to Dominie and they were playing very gently. Dominie chewed her muzzle and when she stopped Foxy pawed her to ask her to continue. Jenna was trotting around with one of her toys - she has a basket of toys and rootles through each day to find the particular one she wishes to play with, usually taking it to bed with her at night-time. Some days it's a ball, sometimes one of the cat toys (!) at other times a nylon bone. Yesterday it was a stylised red plastic bone. She walked across Dominie and Foxy several times as if she were pointing out her relationship to them both. We could hear her saying, 'Foxy, you're my friend and I play with you. Dominie's my friend and I play with you. You and Dominie can play with me but you can't play with each other.' It was the typical three-girl triangle!

There was no aggression in her activity - she was simply being aggravating. She soon stopped when she realise they were taking no notice of her antics.

The Dog Days of My Life: #11 - Buddy

Buddy in his prime

Buddy, a real cool dude, modelling this season's sunglasses and scarf - all colour coordinated!

Buddy's green eyes soon changed to hazel. He adored Dominie as much as she loved him and Cariadd, glad to be relieved of the attentions of Dominie, observed their capers tolerantly.Buddy as a puppy playing 'sticks' with Dominie - New Forest

Bethan, then 15, decided she would take responsibility for him and he slept in her room. We worried that she would be too tired for her long school days if her sleep were to be constantly interrupted by the needs of a small puppy. As she was also feeling after two busy nights that the spirit was more willing and resilient than the flesh she was thankful to have Buddy join the other dogs in our bedroom. However he never forgot those first nights and even now, when she comes home, he wants to go into her room with her though he never stays all night.

People often wonder why we always have our dogs upstairs with us at night. Why not keep all the mess downstairs? We would rather have them close at hand so that if they are ill in the night or want to go out, particularly when they're very young, we can attend to them. It means we have disturbed nights but that's a small price to pay for peace of mind. Dominie has limited mobility and Frodo has unpredictable idiopathic epilepsy and we feel we could not leave them alone. Buddy occasionally decides to stay downstairs but it's rare.

Buddy and Dominie share a bed

Bethan wanted to try her hand at dog-showing. To this end we attended 'ringcraft' classes and entered Buddy for his first show. They were both shaking with nerves on that occasion. They had a certain amount of success in subsequent shows though Buddy never developed his 'second thigh'* – I mean, it must be there or he wouldn't be able to function, but it's not well enough defined. To the untrained, uncritical eye he looks just fine!

Dominie didn't like letting Buddy out of her sight. On one occasion, a special Dalmatian event where everyone really did have spots before their eyes, Dominie broke free of us and rushed into the ring to be with him which caused some mirth. Naturally Bethan was deeply embarrassed. I sometimes think teenagers are in a permanent state of embarrassment when their parents are in the vicinity.

Eventually Buddy got bored with the show-dog scene. Some dogs thoroughly enjoy strutting their stuff but for him trotting round a show-ring didn't measure up to running through the forest with Barry and the other dogs.

People who are not familiar with Dalmatians assume that they are like the stars of '101 Dalmatians' and will welcome any attention at all times. In fact they are quite reserved but friendly when approached with respect. They were originally bred to clear the way on the roads for the horse-drawn carriages and to accompany and protect their people against marauders, highwaymen and thieves. They were also a handsome, eye-catching accessory to the equipage, one running ahead, one running behind the rear wheels. The best – and smallest – ran between the wheels. The breed standard still demands that they be fit, athletic dogs capable of running for hours at a steady pace.

A common question Dalmatian people hear is 'Where are the other 100?' when walking or running with one. Two or more Dalmatians exercise the mathematical brain – 101 minus 2 or 3 is . . . umm . . . 98? 97?

'What's his name? Spot?' is another witticism we all hear. The funniest remarks are the ones relating to colour. Dalmatians have black spots – everyone knows that - but actually some have liver spots. 'Do they start off brown and turn black as they get older?' asked one interested walker while another on a different occasion asked, 'Do they turn brown when they're old?' Some think that liver-spotted dogs cannot possibly be 'proper' Dalmatians. Yet others are amazed to hear that the puppies are born white and their spots develop later.

All dogs are individuals. They may share some characteristics in common but they develop their characters uniquely. Buddy was very secure in his position in the tribe (that includes humans and cats) He loved his special human, Bethan, and by association all her relations. When Gillian's first baby was born Buddy was very unsure about this noisy, absorbing small mammal with the interesting smells. He would look and then retreat to a safe place where he could rest and not have to consider his reactions. Gillian was worried about him but we have never left small babies or children unattended with any of our dogs. Once Marnie had reached a more independent stage and was toddling about Buddy discovered that she was a source of unexpected and delicious treats and was therefore a creature to be accommodated and encouraged; he became as much her acolyte as the other dogs already were. Subsequent babies (five so far, two more for Gillian and three for Gareth) have been met with enthusiasm – more sticky fingers, more discarded spoons, dishes, fruit, finger foods, rusks.

He's never been a noisy boy, our liver lad. He shows his affection by gently nibbling the fingers of returning tribe members. In his younger days he caused much merriment among Bethan's friends through his habit of sitting bolt upright on the sofa, pushing his spine well back against the support cushions. Should anyone sit next to him they were subjected to 'the lean' as he gently, insistently rested his weight against that person and waited for 'the scratching of the chest' that invariably followed. He also loves being massaged; Bethan was the first person to introduce him to this and he luxuriates in it, eventually becoming glassy-eyed and completely relaxed. This is why he so much enjoys being groomed.

Noses are exceptionally important to dogs – through them they learn such a lot about the world around them. For Buddy his nose took the place of his under-developed second thigh and became a mighty muscle in its own right. If he wants attention he will nudge a hand, an elbow, a lap-top. To begin with the nudges are gentle, little more than a light tap, a glancing touch, but if not acknowledged they become increasingly insistent until they cannot be ignored – liquids are spilt from cups and glasses, pens create illegible hieroglyphics, books are cast to the floor. His nose's greatest strength lies in opening doors. All around our house, at BNL (Buddy's Nose Level) there can be seen evidence of the nose at work. Perhaps his greatest achievements have been in the conservatory. This leads from the kitchen via internal sliding patio doors and it is where the cats are fed twice a day. It is here that Buddy keeps watch and scent. If the cats are eating something particularly toothsome he applies his nose to the door and pushes until he has gained access. Thus, to foil him, we have to lock the door, but still he waits knowing that, of right, he has first call on any morsels left in their bowl.

In inverse proportion to his liking for food is his dislike for water. It stems from his puppyhood when he had a bad case of 'Dally rash' (canine folliculitis) and had to have daily baths with foul-smelling shampoos from the vet. He will do his utmost to avoid getting his paws wet which can be challenging for him when the ground is sodden. He will take great detours to circumvent puddles. If we go in the water, perhaps at the coast, he will follow us in quite happily but then he really thinks he's more of a human than a dog and if the humans are paddling then he should do likewise.

He has always been a very confident, friendly dog, happy to meet and greet other dogs so long as they observe the courtesies. This confidence has been knocked somewhat as his vision is now impaired due to uveitis** following a bout of severe meningitis two years ago which nearly killed him; I'm sure it has caused him to age more rapidly. He is now thirteen and sees shapes and shadows, light and dark, dim outlines, movement. 

Consequently, if he gets sidetracked by an interesting sniff, he loses his sense of where we are. Sometimes he finds people to whom he can attach himself, which they find charming, particularly when they discover why. At other times he trots off resolutely, often in the wrong direction. Occasionally, although he may be close behind us, he will turn round and pace away at increasing speed. I send Jenna to guide him back. His beautiful hazel eyes are clouded blue now and many people comment on them, often asking if he has cataracts. His sense of smell is still acute but his hearing is failing and he is growing old, our boy. Old age comes suddenly to dogs, it seems. We learn so much from them and we still know so little about them. All the while he has energy and youth around him he will continue to strive and thrive – a lesson for us all, I think.
Buddy (13) and Tia (7) share a sofa - July 2009

*Second Thigh: the part of the hindquarters, corresponding to the human shin and calf, from the stifle to the hock.
**Uveitis: a condition where the part of the eye that supplies blood to the retina becomes inflamed. The inflammation causes proteins to leak out resulting in cloudiness in the eye.

Dominie and her wheels

Today Dominie earned her wheels. Last Autumn (September/October 2008) Dominie, then fourteen years old, was having enormous difficulty walking, because of acute discospondylitis. Her front legs were fine but the back legs were not cooperating so that the front legs worked extra fast to compensate for the weakness of the hind legs. The net result was that because her very strong front end was trying to compensate for the weaker hind she would overbalance and fall on her nose. Also the back paws were 'knuckling' – the messages reaching her hind legs were not telling them to lift highly enough so that her paws were bent under and she was not walking on her pads. A course of NSAIDS gave her relief and, once she'd stopped it, allowed her to heal. We bought a 'Ruffwear' vest – absolutely wonderful! It saved my back from further strain and so pleased were we that we bought a spare harness on the principle of 'one on, one in the wash'. By Christmas Dominie was walking strongly enough to undertake an hour's walk.

Recently, though, she has deteriorated and though keen to accompany all her canine friends on their outings, she has found it increasingly difficult to stagger along and it has been no fun for her, or us, effectively to carry her for most of the walk. Today we set her in her wheeled carriage - a harness supports her hind legs, though they still touch the ground and make the walking movements, and the front half of her body is released from carrying the back end. Once Dominie had realised that she could now move freely she rushed along through the forest, only overbalancing once when she stopped for a particularly attractive sniff. It was wonderful for her to be independent again and now she is sleeping deeply, having relished her supper.

We know it can't be long before our gentle Dominie travels on but for now she is happy, alert, alive to everything and everyone around her, greeting all her many friends with her chirruping, warbling welcome. We wish for her, as for all our loved ones, human and non-human, a peaceful, pain-free slipping into a final sleep in her own home, surrounded by familiar things.

Tomorrow we venture forth again and hope this time the other dogs don't get tangled in the wheels of Dominie's magical carriage.

.

ABC Wednesday Round 3 R is for . . .

Rainbow Bridge . . . and Relief . . . and Remembrance . . . and Reminiscence

I'm not superstitious but last Friday 13^th developed into a bad, sad day.

Our Gentle Dominie took her last trip to the vet. For several months she had been unable to walk unaided but seemed otherwise happy, alert, involved in everything around her. For some time she had rear wheels to assist her hind legs when we went out. When she could no longer control those we put her in a 'DoggyRide' so that she could accompany us to the forest. She would walk for ten or fifteen minutes, helped along with a hand under the back of her harness, then ride for the rest of the time. Back at the car she would walk again for a few minutes, catching up on peemails and poohmails. She greeted visitors vociferously and made her wishes known. When she whined she was telling us she was hungry, thirsty, wanted to turn round, needed to relieve herself or simply wanted to give and receive affection. During the last couple of weeks she cried more frequently and insistently in the daytime needing more lifting and turning. She didn't seem able to get comfortable though she slept more soundly at night.

In the past we have always found the advent of a new puppy – or baby – or kitten – has sparked interest in our elderly companions, both animal and human. We hoped Gus's arrival would help Dominie but although she was mildly interested, licking him and nudging him, she really had little energy to cope with his persistent attempts to play. She was unable to escape his attentions but enjoyed having him snuggle next to her when he was tired and quiet. Dommydom had a strong maternal instinct and was always a kind and understanding mentor to pups but she could no longer teach and this puppy needed to learn.

I have always said to pet people that one knows when the time comes to say goodbye. Perhaps that is true but human nature is largely optimistic and, though it's a cliché, where there's life there's hope. We saw the warning signs but chose to interpret them for our comfort. We asked our lovely vet Nadia for impartial advice, knowing in our hearts what she would say and what we had agonised over for weeks. It fell to Barry to take the Dom to the vet. Our menagerie is well-known there and the nurses are kind and caring.

When Barry came home he needed to be alone so I took the three adult dogs for a long walk in the forest. It was raining hard and the wind was blowing but it cleared my mind and dried my tears and I reached home drenched but more relaxed than I have been for a very long time. It was a strange evening and we felt Dom's absence keenly. The rest of the pack was quiet but watchful. Jenna was particularly questioning and depressed – she would often take Dom a toy or lick her nose. Frodo would also wash her and that had always seemed to please her. Monty Ocicat, who had spent a lot of time cuddling up to Dominie latterly, was prowling and restless. Gus, the puppy, took over Dominie's cushion in the kitchen where she would keep me company each evening as I prepared supper. He sleeps on it now in the same attitude as she did, with his head hanging over the edge, nose pointing to the floor.

The thing we noticed most was the silence. We had become so accustomed to her calling to us ever more frequently and now there were no requests. We realised clearly for the first time how much attention she had demanded and we acknowledged the relief we felt now that she was at peace. We had kept her too long and her ever-louder and more determined calls recently had been telling us it was time for us to let her go. She wasn't in pain, simply tired and worn out. Dominie was a big dog with a robust constitution and my keen desire that she would die peacefully in her sleep was never going to be realised; all the years of running with Barry and walking with me, of swimming in the ponds and lakes and playing with pups and young dogs had kept her physically fit, mentally alert and made her heart strong. We often watched her as she slept, running effortlessly in her dreams, but her waking hours were frustrating.

We all come from stardust and to stardust we will return. Dominie has her place in the cosmos now. Rest in peace, gentle girl, dream sweetly and be free to run again once more. You gave us all so much love and trust, our gentlest girl, so many memories for all our family.

'The one best place to bury a good dog is in the heart of her master.' Anon

'When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.' Kahlil Gibran: 1883-1931
Dominie (Theakston Terrisa) 25.04.1994 – 13.11.2009

Thank you to Denise Nesbitt for initiating and hosting this meme.

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A Life Full of Animals - part one

 

A Life Full of Animals - part one

I have never known a time in my life without animals, apart from the three years I was at college.

My earliest memory is of Bob the Collie, for whom my father laid a place at the table. There followed Sombre the Smooth-coated Collie, Ginger the cat, Punch the Springer and Judy the kitten.

The first dog Barry and I had was a yellow Labrador called Whisky. She was three years old and she was my birthday present from Barry when I was in my final year. I couldn’t keep her at college so Barry kept her in the officers’ mess at RMCS Shrivenham, where she led a very convivial life. She was a patient and very friendly dog, and eventually a great companion to and protector of our young children. 

Whisky with Gareth

We thought her not to be a natural guard dog, barking only at buses and ladders, until one night in Northern Ireland when Barry came home very late, she barked menacingly at him before she realised who he was and was then abjectly apologetic. She was not averse to helping herself to choice morsels from other people’s shopping baskets, when the opportunity presented itself, and enjoyed ‘picking’ blackberries, too.

Biddy with Gillian

As she aged and our children grew, we decided to get another dog, to ease the pain of Whisky’s passing, when the time came. Thus we acquired Biddy, a 7-month-old smooth-coated Jack Russell terrier, (JR) the long-legged variety now known as Parson Jack Russell. She had already been cubbing and never lost her penchant for searching underground, once disappearing for several hours and emerging mostly brown, rather than her usual tan and white. She was enormous fun, always seeking to ingratiate herself by sliding round on one shoulder in front of one of us and submitting. She was very much Barry’s dog, loving to huddle inside his jacket. When he wasn’t around, Biddy’s preferred companion was Gareth, particularly in the forest. She was expert at climbing trees.

Biddy and Gareth

After Whisky died, Biddy was lonely, missing her old companion and so we got Leo, a rough-coated, short-legged Jack Russell. He had been a stud dog and in our innocence we thought we would have no problem keeping him and Biddy apart when she came into season. How wrong we were! Biddy had five adorable puppies, and we kept Daisy and Sam. Daisy was a very pretty broken-coated girl and liked sleeping in the cat beds we suspended from the radiators, for by now, we had a cat, a beautiful brown Burmese.

Leo

Susannah, Gillian and Gareth with Biddy and her five puppies

Daisy

Daisy, Sam and Biddy at the seaside

This came about because Susannah had wanted a rabbit. We had experienced heart-ache with Gillian’s previous rabbits and so persuaded Susannah that a cat would be preferable. We called her Alicat and we were encouraged to breed from her. JRs are reputed to be cat killers but when we brought Alicat home, Daisy jumped on my lap, watched by the other three, and we never had a problem. Of course, each of our then three children had a different favourite kitten and soon our menagerie grew, until by the time Bethan, our fourth child, arrived, we had four JRs and nine Burmese. We also had guinea pigs and pet mice and gerbils, all of which reproduced at will.

Sam with Susannah and Bethan

Bethan with Barry, Sam and Daisy

Sam was also broken-coated and immensely strong for his size. He loved collecting logs, the bigger the better. He really was a big dog in a little dog’s body. He and Leo did not get on once he grew up, so Leo went to live with my parents. Sam’s life was short and sweet. Out running with Barry one day, he ran off and was knocked down by a car. He died unexpectedly after surviving a few days with the vet. He was six years old. Biddy had spent much time licking his ears and little Daisy was somewhat overlooked. Clearly, Sam was his mother’s favourite and she pined for him.  We commenced our search for our next dog. 

I had long wanted a Dalmatian and soon Cariadd joined our family from Wales. She was smaller than the JRs when she first arrived, but soon outstripped them and proved to be a good problem-solver.

Biddy and Cariadd

Cariadd. Bethan, Biddy and Daisy

Barry holding one of Cariadd's longer 'sticks', watched by Bethan

She specialised in carrying long branches, more like young trees, through small gaps and was the perfect running mate for Barry. She also had a terrific smile, which worried people who were not familiar with dog smiles. We were sometimes told, ‘Your dog’s snarling at me.’

Many breeds of dog smile, or snark, some with closed lips, others with varying degrees of tooth display and nose wrinkling. I must admit it can look quite alarming!

I believe that once you have two or more dogs you can never go back to just one. Dogs need dogs and the one that’s left alone becomes depressed. A ‘new’ dog, whether baby puppy or older dog, rejuvenates the survivor and rekindles his or her energy and enthusiasm.

When our last JR, Daisy, died, we had to find a companion for Cariadd, and this came in the form of Dalmatian Dominie, from Devon, four months old and a really big puppy. She was as soft as butter, a little dog in a big dog’s disguise. Cariadd, not noted for her maternal instinct, allowed the youngster to chew her neck and never grumbled at her. Dominie was not well coordinated as a puppy and fell in our pond every day for a week as she thundered over the bridge, but she grew into an athletic dog who could turn on a sixpence, giving any chasing dog a great work out.

Dominie with our eldest grandson, Callum (now 25 and an expectant father)

We were very taken with our Dalmatians, delighting in their elegance and intelligence, and it was good to have not one, but two big dogs to which we could reach down a hand to be nuzzled. As Cariadd aged, and, sadly, dogs age too quickly, we decided to look for a third Dalmatian. Bethan had enjoyed building obstacle courses for Cariadd and was keen to try showing a dog. Dominie, beautiful though she was, was simply too big and Cariadd had never been keen on the show ring.

We thought it would be fun to have a liver Dalmatian, so green-eyed Buddy left his home in Cornwall to live with us. His eyes didn’t remain green. He was a handsome boy, devoted to Bethan. When we brought him home, Dominie’s expression was one of pure joy. We could almost hear her saying, ‘My puppy, oh, my puppy.’

Dominie with baby Buddy

Labradors are renowned for being greedy, but Dalmatians can match, if not outpace them. Ours all learnt very quickly that food was freely available on work tops and we had to find places they could not reach. Naturally, they didn’t attempt to thieve while we watched. We were careful about not allowing them ‘dangerous’ foods, like grapes or macadamia nuts, but even so Buddy demolished a chocolate cake and lived to tell the tale. Our grandchildren still laugh about that.

Buddy does the leg work while Dominie waits

In the meantime, the cats were ruling the roost, and attempting to find a way into the fish tank for a tasty fresh snack. When they had a spat, as cats do, they would find a dog to curl up with. The cats never attacked the dogs, just each other. Sometimes, a dog would stand between two arguing cats, to calm them down.

Cariadd and 6 Burmese

After Buddy came seven-month–old Frodo, from Lincolnshire, a dog bred primarily for looks rather than temperament. He was always gentle and loving with everyone in our household, particularly Buddy, but reactive with unfamiliar dogs, not a good trait in a show dog. He became my Velcro dog and remained so until his death seven years ago.

 

Frodo the Faller

DoggyRide

Gentle Dominie has made us think very hard recently. She cannot get up on her own but can walk short distances once she is on her feet. We keep questioning each other about her quality of life, wondering if we're doing the right thing for her. She is old but not like other old dogs we have had for she is very alert and welcomes all comers to the house with her usual warble. She notices what is happening around her and gets upset when the other dogs go out and she has to remain behind, albeit with a human in attendance. She enjoys being a part of what is going on, particularly if it involves food. Her appetite is very good and she is ever ready for refreshments. She vocalises her needs and waits patiently until the dumb humans in her family interpret her needs correctly. Many would say that she should be euthanised but that would not be fair to her because, in short, though her back legs don't work the rest of her is in fine condition. Thus we always reach the same conclusion - she is not yet ready to travel on.

Dominie has been 'wearing' hind wheels to compensate for the lack of messaging to the atrophied muscles in her back legs when we go out but recently has been overbalancing and cannot really manage on them any longer. To support her on a walk of longer than ten or fifteen minutes is hard work, pulling human neck and back muscles; it is also probably not very comfortable for her as the harness straps pull tight on her but she enjoys the stimulus of change of scenery, fresh air, new people or dogs who come up to make friends.

Therefore we have bought a dog trailer. It's called 'DoggyRide' . Designed in Holland, it resembles a baby buggy and can be pushed or it can be attached to a bicycle and towed. Dominie had her first outing in it yesterday. We made sure it was well padded and set off up the hill. At first she looked rather uncertain about it but enjoyed it when a couple of cyclists stopped to say hello and make a fuss of her. After that she was squeaking and we wondered if she wanted to turn over. In fact, she wanted to relieve herself. Then, with support, she walked to the pond and drank from it, paddling her front legs in it. While Jenna-the-Labrador chased after her ball and Buddy Liver Spots and Frodo the Faller stooged around, Dominie lay and watched, snuffing the air. A few minutes later she walked on for a short while and then was happy to go back into the buggy. It was an enjoyable outing for us all and Barry and I agreed that it was a worthwhile investment for even if Dominie doesn't get extended use it will surely serve the other dogs in due course.

Camera Critters #68

When we take the dogs walking I usually take my camera (Canon Ixus 980) It's small enough to go in a pocket or to carry in my free hand ready for action. In the other hand I carry the ball-flinger to keep Jenna-the-Labrador entertained. As Gillian and Paul's dogs are staying with us at the moment it keeps them busy too.
Last Thursday we were strolling along, Barry hauling Dominie, Buddy and Frodo catching up on pee-mails, the Labradors hurling themselves into every puddle and pond they came to and me scanning for activitiy. Then I saw a roe deer; she was in an area where we often see deer. I tried to photograph her but she was some distance away and wary. We would eventually pass the other side of this small area and I was hopeful of seeing her again.
At one of the new ponds, excavated earlier this year when tree harvesting was being carried out, Frodo and the Labradors swam and drank and paddled and played. When Dominie was independent she loved to swim and so Barry lets her roll gently into the pond where she can enjoy the sensation of water on her body, drink some of it and revisit earlier times for a little while. When she's had enough she lies in the sun to rest and lick herself while Buddy and Frodo pace about, sniffing here and there and the Labradors chase the ball.

Barry guides Dominie into the water as Buddy watches. Jenna has collected the ball on this occasion.


Now Tia has the ball. As usual Jenna is wearing her transmitter collar so that we know which direction to worry in when she disappears!
Foxy, Gillian and Paul's fox-red Labrador, learnt long ago that treats were far more satisfying to retrieve than a slobbery ball so stopped trying to keep up with Tia and Jenna. I don't often take titbits out with me now but she still looks hopefully at me, my hands, my pockets. She is slowly realising that she is a retriever and she can sometimes get to the ball before the others, so long as she has a headstart - that is, if I fool the others into going in the wrong direction first. They can never quite believe she has found it and will go on looking until they realise she has it, then Jenna takes it from her! Foxy never objects - she really is a very sweet-tempered dog.

Foxy has the ball. Jenna and Tia haven't realised where I've thrown it and are quartering the ground beyond the pond.
Dominie's pleasures in life include meeting new people and dogs. Most people stop to enquire about the reason for her wheels.Some dogs are spooked by the unfamiliar silhouette she presents but usually the dog greetings follow the routine and etiquette they always have. She particularly likes little dogs and on Thursday she met two out with their humans. One of them was a rescue dog - we meet quite a few of these in our perambulations, from small cross-breeds to retired racing Greyhounds to working breeds that have proved too much for their original owners or breeders. The sky was ever-changing and threatening rain - indeed wehad a torrential downpour later in the evening - so we proceeded on our way. Sure enough, when we reached the opposite side of the stretch where I had spotted the doe, there she was again. Now she was accompanied by a young buck who appeared to have only one antler. Barry took over ball-flinging duties - we knew if Jenna caught sight, sound or scent of the deer she would have been off!

The deer are beyond the pond between the two groups of small trees. Frodo is paddling and slaking his thirst.

Frodo, my velcro dog, accompanied me as I slowly approached the pair, happily paddling and keeping an eye on me. The doe and buck were aware of me but seemed unfazed, looking at me now and again and then resuming their grazing.

He looks at me while she looks in the other direction.Deer slot
Eventually, after I had been watching and photographing and moving closer for about seven minutes, the doe went into cover where she continued to watch me for a while before vanishing.
The buck looked long and hard at me. I wonder what happened to his right antler? Finally he decided that discretion was the better part of valour and left the scene . . . but unhurriedly, at his leisure.

I don't think I'll ever get over my excitement at seeing deer - they are truly beautiful elegant creatures and their ability to melt into the shrubs and trees is amazing.

Next time we'll take Barry's Canon 40D with a telephoto lens and hopefully the photographs will be much better quality. Of course, the mere act of taking it with us will probably guarantee we shan't see any wild animals!

Thank you to Misty Dawn for creating this meme and to Misty and Tammy for hosting it.

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