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Saturday 9 May 2015

Hard decisions..

Almost 4 and half years ago, we adopted a rescue dog to be pals with our girl Millie. Millie was a cross staffie with collie and very energetic, and we needed a lovely calm dog, who might be able to calm her down too. We were so lucky to have a wonderful cross staffie with lurcher dog join us. We called him Reiver. He was a dark version of Milie and larger and he quickly became a beloved member of our family. Having reared five children with my first husband, we had no time to take on animals as well. So this time around,with my second husband and all the children now grown up and living away, we could have time to have a couple of fur babies. This is what they have become. Our dogs have lightened our lives and become so much a part of everything we do. This big dog we called Reiver, and he thrived. When we first had him, he was very insecure, having been really badly treated by his first owners. As a puppy he was left in a small bathroom all on his own for the first year of his life. When he was found abandoned, his back legs didnt work and he had to be carried around. He was just one year old when he came to live with us, and gradually he learned to trust and love us. He didnt like men, and it was a couple of years before he felt able to kiss or lick John my husband. He slunk away whenever he saw a broom, so one can imagine what that represented to the poor darling. At first he could not jump up on to anything, gradually easing his big body up to sit beside us. However after a couple of years, his legs became stronger and he started to be able to feel strong enough to jump , but over this last year, he has been going down hill. The repidity that this reduction has happened has been utterly awful. Now the poor darling can barely walk, his back and front legs refuse to obey him and he cannot stand well, and keeps falling over. We had originally taken h im to the vets, because he had a developing bald patch which was gradually taking over his whole back... however after a lot of tests, we were no clearer what was causing this.. Then the legs started to play up more, and in the last two weeks the front ones went. We are crying inside, because we have had to make the choice of letting our brave loving boy go to the Rainbow Bridge where he can run free again, and on Monday the Vet is coming to help us ease him into the next part of his journey. We are devastated to have to make this choice, but there is no option. The feeling is that has to have been a brain tumour that has acted this quickly and with all the tests in the world, it is not going to make him better. Whoever those Beasts were who had him first, gave him this legacy and I hope they rot in hell for what they did to my darling boy. I shall miss him so much, but his pain has to end.. He tries so hard to do normal things then just falls over and looks at me. I feel that we are right to choose for the Vet to come,but its so hard to say goodbye. He is only 6 and should have had a lot more years of loving yet to come. My boy Reiver and his sister Millie, looking out at the garden and no doubt watching the squirrels**

6 comments:

  1. My heart goes out to you and your dear boy, I know the right decision is VERY hard to make and tears us apart, but the quality of life is important and I like you wouldn't like to see a dear fur baby suffer.
    Sending you a big {{Hug}}
    Rose H
    xx xx

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  2. The time is never right, nor easy, regardless of the age of your love. Somehow we are never really ready to part. My heart goes out to you. So, so sorry Janzi. The thing to remember is, that our beloved fur babies give us far more joy and pleasure than pain, knowing how much this decision hurts. He was blessed to have had a life with you! Sending you love and strength.

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  3. I just adore people with rescue pets. It killed me to hear stories of "people" who treat animals like this. I hope something can be done and the choice is excruciating but what is heart warming is that you will make the best choice in his interest by you love her and she found a true home where Reiver flourished. All the besr

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  4. Thanks for sharing, i came across many blogs thrue other bloggers and leave a comment, i follow blogs that shares the same hobby,s as i...love to visit again...blessings

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  5. My heart is pained for darling Reiver. Such a sweetheart who deserved so much more out of life. But he was very lucky to have found loving people like you and your husband to give him a bit of happiness through your love and devotion.

    I've had to let a pet of mine go in the same way and to say it is difficult is not enough.
    I feel for you both deeply today and I will hold you and Reiver in my heart.
    God Bless the little Darling.

    And believe me there is no punishment severe enough for people who harm pets. They should receive a million fold the pain they cause. And I fervently hope they do.

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  6. our first night without my brave boy was so sad and draining, but Millie seems not to be too put out by his absence. I hope she continues this way. We let her smell and sniff him when the vets had gone, so she knows he is gone I think.. We buried him in the garden under the old oak tree, where Sasha his sister dog and my son's cats all lie together forever.. a lovely peaceful spot. deep down so no foxes can get at them.. thank you all for your kind words and thoughts... Although he was my pet, we all loved him, and he had such a heart, we had ours broken when he had to leave us, but I know that it was the right thing to do, even the last day he was struggling even more.. RIP my darling Reiver.

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