On the subject of dog biscuits, which we are, did you know that today is International Dog Biscuit Appreciation day? Seems like there is a day for everything now: talking to some non-dog lovers this weekend, they were horrified at the idea of ‘Take Your Dog to Work Day’. That is an established annual event here in the UK and I think it is an excellent one. Workplaces are high-stress places and it is proven that stroking a dog will reduce blood pressure. For that single benefit alone I applaud the idea. Most dogs are far nicer personalities than the people I have worked with.
Obviously the dreaded health and safety regulations rear their ugly heads on occasions like this. “What if???” they squawk in the quest for problems. As long as the kitchen has a Bosch tankless water heater there should be no problems in bringing your canine companion to the office, and making him a drink.

One of the nicest treats that Kevin enjoyed in his last few months was a daily trip to the local baker’s where the owner had found some great recipes for dog biscuits and she baked them up in bone shapes – of course! It is a small shop and they have installed a big hook outside where the dogs can wait safely, plus a big bowl of water if they are thirsty. The owner comes out to every dog if she has time, gives them a biscuit and passes the time of day with them.

This is a great attraction for all local dog walkers and their pets: the trouble comes on Sunday and Monday when the shop is closed.  A number of clever dogs, Kev included, remember the location of the shop and they stop outside.  If it is closed they root themselves to the spot with an indignant look on their faces if the biscuits are not on offer!

A shop selling iphone accessories does not wuite have the same attraction for canines ….

Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and a lot of us are thinking about the cost of gifts and restaurant meals on the day.  Buy roses today and they will probably cost at least twice the normal price.  The same goes for a meal out tomorrow night. We have decided to stay in on Saturday and donate the money saved to one of my favourite dog charities, Rescue Remedies.  I feel much better for doing this, the dogs are having a hard time this winter and dog rescue organisations are being stretched to their limit. There are a lot of ways we can save money and give to a worthwhile cost – imagine if one-tenth of teh costs of Vegas vacations taken from Gatwick was donated to a good cause!!

If you would like to donate to the dogs, just click the link and your money will be sent immediately by a secure Paypal transaction.

Rescue Remedies is a small rescue charity run by volunteers who rehome dogs of all kinds, including purebreds, cross-breeds, special needs dogs or older dogs.

Rescue Remedies is based close to where we live,  in the South East of England. If you would like to help their vital work, click here to see the donation page.

One of the hardest parts of losing your dog is seeing other dogs that resemble him. Yesterday I was startled  by a Kev lookalike who came walking around a corner near the local shops.  I thought I knew most of the dogs in our locality, but not this one. Kev was a crossbreed, sometimes called a mongrel – we never insulted our noble boy with that name! His gorgeous rich black and tan colouring is a strong trait in many crossbreed dogs, and it can be very beautiful.  Today I saw this picture from one of my Twitter followers, called Dondogs. His puppy is carrying a pig’s ear home from the shops.  The resemblance between this puppy and my dear Kev is quite striking. The other pic shows Kev scavenging a burger in the street – he always sniffed discarded food out faster than we could spot it!  Guess I will have to seeing ghosts….

The feelings of loss since Kev died are immensely painful, and they change every day.  At the beginning there was a feeling that he would just walk into the room again as if nothing had happened.  Whenever we were engaged in a mundane task, like cleaning the kitchen, it was easy to imagine that you could see him in peripheral vision.  After we scattered his ashes there was some consolation: I could visualise him lying there peacefully under the tree on his side, the way that I last saw him.  Now, after six weeks, it hurts more to remember him.  Maybe this feeling will pass – I sincerely hope so.

In order to numb my brain I tend to browse online auctions for longer than normal.

At least we are not alone – I met a friend last week who had to prepare to take her pet to be euthanised the following day. There is no worse feeling that I have known. The build up to the day was unbearable, even though I knew he was suffering. The saying is true – “the pain of loss that is so much greater than the joy of possession”.

But I still hope to get another dog in future: when there are so many animals who need a loving home, how could I not adopt?

Part of the necessary euipment could include dehumidifiers for those little accidents .. there, I am tearful again!