Jan./Feb. 1989 —– Jan. 5 2002
Dog
Jamie had been at the vets for 10 days
– in a cat cage –
recovering from Parava virus.
His former owners didn’t come back for him
so my son-in-law phoned me and asked if I was interested.
He knew I was looking for another dog
after losing my Dachshund.
It turned out to be the best phone call I ever had.
Jamie was a mongrel – with really cute ‘Queen Anne’ legs.
He was a medium-sized dog.
I bonded with him so quickly and
he seemed to appreciate the fact that he had fallen on his paws!
Early on in his life he twice went missing and
he was accused of chasing
and then killing a neighbour’s chicken.
My husband wanted us to
either have him put down or get rid of him.
I was distraught. By then I really loved that dog.
Anyhow we fenced the garden in really securely and
took him for a weekend at a farm
where he was no more a threat to the chickens than a fly!
I well remember the first time I took him to the beach.
On the way there I stopped at a pet shop and
bought him his first ‘‘grown up’’ collar.
We had a wonderful time.
When he was about 4 he went lame.
Again my son-in-law (who is a vet) came to the rescue and
repaired his cruciate ligament on his left back leg.
He made a perfect recovery.
He was excellent at catching balls.
We spent hours playing ball in the garden and
he would always bring them back and drop them at my feet.
I didn’t have to train him to do this.
We would go for long long walks
but as soon as we were home again
he would find his ball and ask for a game.
My son and his friends would have contests to see
who had the most stamina – them or Jamie.
Jamie always won!
He was my dearest friend and confidant.
Always there for me.
So very appreciative of my cooking!
He accompanied us on several holidays –
he was a much travelled dog.
In fact it was in holiday in 2000
that I realised his cough wasn’t clearing up.
He was 11. Again my son-in-law checked him out and
discovered that he had cancer of the throat.
He operated to cut away what he could and
then referred us to the Harley Street specialists for dogs –
The Small Animal Clinic.
They administered six doses of radio therapy and
told us the prognosis was 3 months to a year.
Animals are so brave and he fought back well.
Cancer won the battle on Saturday 5th January 2001
16 months after his last treatment.
Again my wonderful son-in-law came and put him to sleep
as I cuddled him on his own front room carpet
with no fear and masses of love.
The thing that comforts me
now is how young he looked afterwards –
and so peaceful.
I loved you so much Jamie –
you were a really special dog –
and thank you for sharing your love so consistently with us.
We were so fortunate to have you.
I love to think of you playing with my other dogs –
Merrylegs and Chum.
I told you so much about them.
I will never forget you and
only wish you could still be with us.
Mum
| Jamie |