When we met you,you were an aggressive cantankerous,belligerent dog, who hated people, kids,other dogs and any type of animal. You particularly disliked drunks and policemen, but I’m sure thats because your previous owners had been drug dealers.
My cousin brought you to Edinburgh from London as your owner had been given jail time and his wife had become so scared of you that for nearly a year you had been lying on a concrete balcony in your own urine and dirt. My cousin had got you back to some sort of condition, but could do nothing with your temperament, so he brought you to me. I’m told I have a way with animals,and he thought maybe I could help.
I was blessed the day you came to me. It wasn’t easy that first year with you, you were a big boy weighing in at over sixty kilos, and at times your will was so strong I wondered if we would ever get you to the other side, but in the end we got there and you turned out to be
the best friend I ever had.
Whenever things went wrong in my life you were there, to listen, to comfort and never to judge. You converted the skeptics of the breed and everyone who met you loved you. When I was diagnosed with Epilepsy,you developed the uncanny knack of knowing when I was about to have a seizure.And when I was attacked by six youths you kept them at bay(while people stood by and watched)until the police arrived. I truly believe you saved me from certain
harm that night.
I will never forget the day we lost you. You had not been at all well, but had been at the vet the previous day and we had been told you were on the mend,so we started to prepare for my birthday party the following day. At six O’Clock my son and I went to get you for your walk before dinner and you were gone,
curled up on my bed like you were sound asleep.
I don’t remember very much after that except the horrible feeling I was living in a nightmare and any second I was going to wake up and there you would be, waiting for your walk. But it wasn’t to be my darling boy. The vet said you didn’t suffer and that you had had a massive heart attack and died in you sleep. The cause, Leptosporosis,and only four weeks after you were vaccinated. I curse the day I had you vaccinated, and will never do it to another of my dogs. Losing you through my own fault was more than I could bear. And knowing this could have been avoided will stay with me for the rest of my life.
I only hope you can forgive me my darling boy. Every day when I wake up I think of you.Every night before I go to sleep I think of you.The day you died I didn’t just lose a dog. I lost my soulmate,for I truly believe that’s what you were. Your loss left a space in my heart that can never be filled,and I know that while you are always with me in spirit, when my time comes it will be you that greets me on the other side.
You are sadly missed by all your doggy friends, and you stamped your mark on so many people that I don’t think you will ever be forgotten. You touched so many lives that wherever I go you are always mentioned with love and affection. A true friend.
Goodnight Mr Woo Woo,
| Shamus |
| Feathers |