“Always Together “
I was six months pregnant when we got Dusty
we had only been in the States for a couple months and had
just come from England my husband at the time was in USAF.
Dusty was advertised on the Base Channel the words basically read
‘Save from the Pound’ Male Cocker Spaniel 4-5 years of age
my husband and I went to the home to take a look at Dusty it is so
clear in my mind right now how he was so friendly and came straight
up to us to be petted Dusty’s owners could not keep him they were
military with two little girls who obviously liked to chase Dusty around
as if he was a toy the man was not sure of his career his wife was
expecting their third child and Dusty (lucky for us) was the last
on their mind even though I did notice they had a young pup there.
The family apologized that they did not have time to brush Dusty!!!!
they must of been busy the last few months they also gave us Dusty’s collar
of course too busy to walk him also I refused the old Kennel in the
back garden we took Dusty home.
I bathed Dusty twice until the water ran clear I cut what matted fur off of
his body that I could until we could get him groomed.
Dusty settled in well he slept on our bed he was a loving dog
yet when you went to stroke him on his head he put his head down
like he thought he would get hit we were told by the old owner
that Dusty had been in several homes and apparently abused
the man took no time in telling me how to punish Dusty if he had
done something bad!!!!
Like I say Dusty settled in well he enjoyed walks on the Beach
even though I always remember we would let him off his lead so he
could have a good run he never came back when we called him,
it was like a game to him.
One day his old owners had walked by the house apparently everything
turned out well for them and they were staying in the Military the
children wanted to come in and see Dusty I think they were surprised to see
Dusty had his own Chair with his blanket and he was kept in doors,
there were several hints of taking him back the children even asked
there was no way I would give him back.
Then it was time for me to go into hospital and have my daughter,
I was worried about leaving Dusty I was in hospital for two days,
my husband looked after Dusty between visits to the hospital
I came home Christmas Day Dusty would not come near me that really
upset me in fact he followed my husband around the house,
it took a few days for Dusty to come around when he realized he would
still get my attention and love even though there was another member
of the family when ever I held my daughter I would always call Dusty
up onto the couch so he would not feel left out Dusty showed his protection
over Laurie one day when a neighbor came by and just went straight to
the bassinet to pick Laurie up Dusty jumped up immediately with his paws
on the bassinet I have so many photos of Laurie and Dusty one of my
favorites being when Laurie was young and had fallen asleep on the couch,
Dusty laid right next to her Lauries head resting on him…..
A few months passed and I wanted to get a companion for Dusty,
we drove to an animal shelter that is where we got Shadow.
I wanted a small dog I remember so clearly Shadow just sitting in a cage,
looking like a grumpy old man as if he was fed up of people looking at him
and walking off we took Shadow that day he too was a Male Cocker Spaniel,
apparently they say he was about 5-6 years of age his owners bought him
to the Shelter as they were moving they had picked Shadow up
a few years ago from the same Shelter we were advised to take Dusty out
of the house and let Shadow in gradually letting them both get used to each
other I did not want to mess around with that so just let Shadow straight in
Dusty of course came straight up to him after sniffing each other for a while,
they both settled down Dusty continued to sleep upstairs however
I noticed Shadow ventured upstairs only a couple times and would rather
sleep down stairs a couple days later I noticed that one of Shadows eyes
was like a clear marble but he had no problems at that time with his sight.
A while later we moved out of Military housing as my husband was
medically retired we moved to a village about ten minutes away,
Dusty and Shadow settled in well there the garden was bigger for them,
we often took them both to the beach for a run Dusty of course running off,
and Shadow trying to keep up with him Shadows sight was not too good,
and he started bumping into things as long as he had Dusty near he was fine.
My husband then went to work for the Prison Service we moved again,
to prison housing we lived there for just over a year at this point
Dusty and Shadow had to be kept in the Kitchen at night as Shadow had
started to do his business around the house Laurie and I would walk them,
there was an open area at the back of the house like a field when we got
out of the house Shadow would pull as if he wanted to go back as soon as
we said “Where’s Dusty” he would wag his tail and walk right next
to Dusty Laurie would hold Shadow as he did not pull of course I took Dusty
he was still not good on his lead and would love to pull so hard and
dig at the squirrel holes whilst Shadow would sit and rest.
Then my husband had chance for promotion to Memphis we were all excited,
until we checked into Airfare prices we just could not afford it for
Dusty and Shadow my Husbands main priority was to get us all there safely
mine was to get both Shadow and Dusty with us there was no way any body
would want to take on two old Cocker Spaniels one basically blind
I could not separate them and I did not want to abandon them
how would I know that they would be treated right???
Basically what happened and my Dad says “a blessing in disguise”,
I truly believe this we had a few weeks until we were to move
Dusty and Shadow went to be groomed my husband went to pick them up,
the lady said Shadow was great but Dusty had a lump/cyst on the back of
his leg something I never saw Laurie and I bathed them both every
week Dusty showed no sign of pain also when she tried to trim his back area,
he snapped several times she was concerned because of Laurie.
When they came home that day you could see the lump and Dusty
kept biting it until it bled because of everything it is hard to explain unless
you are me but I knew or felt it time for Dusty Laurie blew her bubbles
as usual for Dusty to chase I sat outside and cried and called Dusty he
came up to me and just laid down I rubbed his belly crying he kissed my face,
and I told my Husband to take him the vet said Dusty should of gone
along time ago he did not seem too happy I could not go even though
I feel I should of been there with him I just wanted to remember him how
he was that afternoon Shadow did not seem too bad that night he started to
notice Dusty was not there for two nights I slept in the sitting room with him,
I did not care if he did his business anywhere we all gave him so much attention,
but the second day I could tell I did not know until after Shadow but a good
friend told me that when dogs have companions especially older pets,
when one goes the other goes into a deep depression and basically
dies of a broken heart….
Shadow was not too bothered about taking snacks as he used to,
we had to pick him up to walk him I cried so much and it hurt to see him
without Dusty I kept asking people what I should do my husband even
said that we would take him with us to Memphis in the car….
people suggested hinted but did not say out right what they thought,
because it had to be my choice.
Shadow would go into cupboards and lay down and only I knew that he
was not right two days later and two days after I lost Dusty.
I begged my husband to take Shadow the vet said Shadow was at least 14
and a good temperament for his age my husband explained the whole situation,
moving Dusty… the vet did the kindest thing for Shadow and let him go to sleep
and to finally go to Dusty.
The day my husband took Shadow to the vet he said “come on boy
lets go see Dusty” Shadow got up quicker than I had ever seen him
and wagged his tail it has been three months now and still hurts so much
only people who have ever loved a pet can understand the pain that goes
with loosing them the day Shadow left there was a rainbow
I hope this was a sign to let me know he met Dusty yet it
seemed too quick.
I am so thankful that I shared the last few years of both
Dusty and Shadows lives that they were shown love,
I considered it a retirement home for them both I do not have too
many memories but know that in time I will it is early days as yet,
and still quite painful to think of them.
I thought that when it was time to write this that it would be easy but it
is not Laurie misses them both and asks so many questions on what it is
like in heaven it is hard to explain to her why I had to let them go
and what heaven is like she asks if we will see them soon
I tell her not soon but eventually we will all see them again
until then they watch over us and make sure we are safe.
So for now boys Dusty and Shadow,
thank you for being part of our lives if only for a few years
at least you are both together again running and catching bubbles.
We love you and you will both be forever in our memories and heart
the love I had for you both I did not realize how strong it was until
you were no longer there.
Love to you both!
Forever in our thoughts.
Sam and Laurie
| Dusty & Shadow |