When I was a child one of the most imposing dog breeds was the German Shepherd, which was usually known as an Alsatian. These dogs were widely used by the police, and as guard dogs on domestic and commercial premises. The beauty of the German Shepherd is that this intelligent dog can be bred to defend people and property, and to attack intruders. But this is not a mindless fighter.  You only need to look into the eyes of a German Shepherd to appreciate its intellect and noble origins.  They make great family pets as well, and we know several families where a German Shepherd has been adopted as a much loved pet.  Of course I am probably biased because our precious Kev was a Collie-German Shepherd cross. To me, he was the most gorgeous creature in the world and he communicated volumes to us without words.  The aspect of his face or the expression in his eyes gave the message he wanted to send, and he understand everything going on around him.  It is acknowledged that brighter breeds of dog have a vocabulary as wide as a two year old child and I agree.  Our lovely German Shepherd cross was a fine example of the breed qualities and he is sorely missed.

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!

Today we lost our lovely Kevin the Collie, the love of our lives.  Our dear boy had a growth on his ear that had developed from his chronic ear infection and eventually it started to affect his balance. I reported last week that we risked an operation – kill or cure – and Kev survived that despite his weak heart.  But the growth could not be drained so the procedure gave him no relief from his pain.  We had to make the tough choice to let Kevin go, and relieve his pain.  Until the last he did his best to overcome the discomfort and his beauty remained. Kev’s Dad is away because his own Mum is critically ill, so I (Kev’s Mum) and his Nan took him along.  Even as we arrived at the vet’s surgery we met two ladies who thought he was a cute old boy. On hearing of his predicament they burst into tears. So this old rescue dog, who was on the streets four years ago,  had four women crying over him at the end. When we went inside we made sure our darling boy was comfortable on a sleep number bed.

Our lovely boy is now at peace over the rainbow bridge and the last trip we made together was to church, where we lit a candle together.  Rest in peace, my darling Dudie boy – Mum and Dad love you very much.

The good news is that Kevin came through the operation. The vet did not use ACP as the pre-med, after Kevn reacted badly last time. Instead he used a mild opiate, then cleaned up his ear and examined the growth on the outer lobe. The bad news is that the lump is a solid mass of tissue, possibly malignant. So that means there was nothing that could be achieved to help Kevin’s balance problems: that problem still persists. His heart stood up to the anaesthetic, and his blood test readings were quite good for a dog of his age. But we have to be aware that he has lost a kilo in weight over the past few months – without needing to take Leptovox, so the growth is likely to spread.

I am sorry I have been a little bit quiet lately, I have been under the weather since my ear was ripped in an attack by a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Although I am well in myself, and not nervous at all, my ear has been infected continually since the attack. Last week I went back to the vet and they wanted to sedate me so they could clean my ear. But when they gave me an injection my heart rate fell to below 50 – a dog’s normal heart rate is around 150 beats per minute. Major panic to try and revive me, of course, and although I was conscious I was very lethargic for more than eight hours. Of course Mum and Dad were very worried about me, and Dad sat with me at the vet’s to make sure I woke up properly. The vet wanted me to stay there for observation, but Mum Dad and Nan gave me twenty four hour care. I was really unwell for more than 24 hours, and not eating, then Nan’s neighbour came round with a juicy Venison bone which was too tempting!!