Sunday Musings

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

'It's either me or the dog'

 

When I had my own children naturally I wanted to instill in them a love for nature, animals and of course pets.  We had a gorgeous GS when Jessica was small and then along came Rosie.  Six years later along came Sophie and three years later our first Birman Cat Banjo.  Banjo is now in the latter years of his life and an amazing cat, not like other cats that I know.  He loves Dogs, I've never seen his claws and he turns on the kitchen tap when he wants fresh water and opens the fridge if he is not happy with the food on offer. He is now 19 and has arthritis and epileptic fits.  Every time we go to the Vet we go all five of us go as we always think this may be the end.  We cherish each day we have with him.

 

Sophie was my wild middle child.  ( she is now a wonderful young woman)   She had her first pony at ten and I spent every morning in the stables which were a ten minute drive away with her to feed, water, muck out and often plait tails and manes for shows.  I lugged a horse box behind an old 4X4 to bring her to shows and often picked her off the ground when she took a tumble.  Sophie is a terrific horse woman and more than a bit of a Horse Whisperer with a special talent with all animals.  When she was 11 she volunteered at our local Dog Shelter and one day she arrived home with Grace.  A Border Collie who was totally wild, gorgeous but who wreaked havoc in our house.  Sophie adored her and was sure she had saved Grace from sure death which we couldn't disagree with.  We tried to rehabilitate Grace but I was pregnant with Chloe and just couldn't give her the attention she needed.  We brought her to classes and she was extremely bright and loving but not right for us.  My husbands patience was at breaking point and he called all the children into the kitchen to have a discussion about what to do.  The conversation went along these lines.  'We need to make a decision about Grace and I want you to go away and think about it but,  'It's either me or the Dog that has to go".  The three girls retired to the lounge and spent a good twenty minutes debating.  They came back into the kitchen and Sophie said.  "Dad. we've thought very hard, it's been a very difficult decision.  We love you very much but we have decided that we will keep Grace and that you can go"!!!

 

We sat there and didn't know what to say.  Plan B was hastily cobbled together and my DH came up with a plan that if he could find a suitable home for Grace that we could visit often and take her for week ends and holidays might that be agreeable.  The girls debated again and agreed.  It took three months  to find a fantastic home in the country with a woman who had already three Border Collies.  We gave her a large donation which amounted to about two years Dog food Supplies and all went to her home to bring Grace.  Grace is still there in the country and we are still in touch.  

 

PS My breeder was in touch yesterday to say the birth is near!!!

[F, Calla & Luca]

Lucky Grace. What a delightful family you have!

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

This is a great story!  I love that the girls could tell their Dad that they had chosen the dog.  It really speaks to the kind of great parents they have.  Lucky Grace met up with your family.

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Once again - a wonderful story!  Glad you were able to come up with a Plan B that worked for all!!

[Donna K & Quincy]

A child choosing between dad and a dog, the dog will win every time, DH didn't really think that one through. Looking forward to hearing when you little doodle baby is born.

[Pat and Traveler]

Wonderful blog, nicky!  Sometimes there are pets that just don't fit, even in the most animal loving of homes.  I'm remembering the salamanders...which eventually got returned to the lake where my daughter found them.  Talk about stink!  Their water probably should have been changed every day, which didn't happen.  And the geckos--which involved live meal worms in the fridge, and crickets in their cage.  It was rather pleasant to hear the escaped cricket chirping from behind the couch...

[Lorraine Bromley]

I have no doubt that you saved that collie. But to realize that it just wasn't right for you likely made everyone's life so much better, including his. I had to separate the two yellow lab x that I rescued from certain death. It got apparent that they just competed for everything and likely growing up abandoned and in a cage we would likely have learned to same thing. We had young kids that we were concerned would end up getting caught in the middle. Cinnie  (short for cinnamon) went to a farm with four boys and became the dog she was meant to be and the pet that she was allowed to flourish as. She died with in a year of Jazzie at a very old age. Happy in her life. Just as Jazzie had been staying with us.

[Dori & Rua]

Love your musings, Nicky!  Reminds us about making idle threats, huh?

 

I bet you are SO excited about the pending birth!  Get pictures!