As Promised

Hi team,

bit delayed this one due to a disturbance in the Force.  No, not the latest star wars movie.  I had a bit of a wobbly the other week and have been told I had a small stroke, or as close as you can get to one.  A TIA they call it.  Just the body being told by the body to slow down a bit, drink (water) and take care of yourself.  All good though.  Must have been, because I drove myself to hospital.  So it was brought to my attention by absolutely everybody (including a cleaner) that if you have an existing condition that you need to slow down for, then maybe you should do.  Scare the sh1t out of me, so it is less stress at work, and more time thinking about and maybe playing golf.  Maybe I will eventually change old habits.

I thought I would try and relive some of the better moments I have had with the dogs in my life.  Most families I knew growing up had a pet.  Be it a cat or a dog, and in some cases both.  We always seemed to be blessed with one or both for most of the time I remember.  My grandparents in Tamworth had a Ginger cat called Timmy and a Red Setter Labrador cross called Penny.  My memories are they were old when I met them and didn’t live much longer having two rambunctious toddlers running around with my sister and me.  Penny used to love her walks, however, wouldn’t go anywhere unless she was carrying the lead.   Sort of defeated the purpose, but seemed to work.

We moved into our new house that we rented from the government, and were promised a dog.  Along came the most placid and loyal labrador called Suzy.  We had to call her Suzy because my grandfather couldn’t remember names very well and all girls were Suzy.   Probably not quite PC these days.  Suzy went everywhere with us and particularly on Sunday Mornings when I used to do the Paper Run.  Some may remember that papers were sold door to door in the 70’s, not at the 7/11 or servo only.  I used to do a paper run 6 days a week during my first years in High School and at times earned more money with tips etc than my Dad working 40 Hrs/week.  Saw some sights too, wandering out the door not wanting to miss the paper.  Various states of undress, sobriety and new found friends.  One person complained though and said my dog was vicious because she barked at them and that was the end of my Dog on the Worksite.

Suzy passed away and we had Timmy the ginger cat.  A lot like Garfield.  Would only eat fresh mince and then would lie on your chest whilst you were trying to get some sleep.  Had to move him because he was so heavy you couldn’t breathe.  That and the toothless breath and loud purring keeping you awake meant for some long winter nights.

Then I joined the Navy and I missed the companionship of a dog greatly.  Someone to sit with and discuss the days issues, throw the ball for, go for swims.  You get the idea.  After having had a dog for my whole life, the next 10 years were pretty empty for the companionship that I had been used to.

After Adelle and I married, we decided that a dog was needed by us both in our new home.  Little did we know that owning a dog as an adult is way different to a child.  Dog proofing a yard for starters, vets bills are another.  Unfortunately our klutz of a dog combined both of these for quite a while.

It should have been a sign when we bought our first dog from Pets Paradise.  I put my hand into the pen to decide which of the two German Shepherds we would take home.  One of them crawled to my hand and dropped their head on my wrist and hand and looked so comfortable.  Aaaww this is the one I thought.  The other one (his sister) just sat in the corner watching.  I hate spending money and we decided to only purchase the one.   Unsuccessfully, we went back the next day to buy the girl as well, but she had gone.  Disappointed, we returned home to our first borne and a new way of life.