Although as a child I had a dog called Penny, we, as a family, had never
had a dog before and had never planned to have a dog. Although it was
something the girls always desperately wanted! And I have always been an avid dog lover, we just didn't have the time, the patience or the commitment needed.
We were asked to care of Moss, a Border Collie, for a week, whilst his owner found a new place to live, one that would allow dogs.... a week that turned into 2 weeks, 2 weeks that turned into...well, forever!
He turned our lives upside down!
He was a bright eyed, bundle of fur and energy...and of course joy!
He would jump up at us and knock us flying, he barked at everyone who walked past the house, let alone entered it! We were constantly tripping over him as he herded us around the house....and a couple of times he mistook me (and a few other people) as a sheep and nipped me, leaving me with several nasty bruises!
We fell in love with him at first sight, but it took a while for us to get used to having this hyper, giddy, very demanding new family member permanently around....We just hadn't planned for it!
But during the ten wonderful years that he was with us, he grew into the most loyal, lovable, intelligent, compassionate member of our family that we could have ever wished for.
He taught us so much and left behind a legacy of true love.
He loved people and would spend hours sitting at our garden gate waiting for people to pass by and stroke him, he had regular visitors and was very well known and loved by most of our neighbours.
At the time I was a child minder and he adored kids...he was so gentle and loving towards them. He even helped one little girl that I cared for get over her fear of dogs....to the point that even after I no longer looked after her, she would call round and visit us regularly, just to see Moss!
He had an incredible bond with our cat Suzy, they were the best of friends and she missed him terribly when he left us.
His passing at the age of approx 16 - 17 years old left us all devastated and he left a huge hole in our hearts that will never heal.
We were asked to care of Moss, a Border Collie, for a week, whilst his owner found a new place to live, one that would allow dogs.... a week that turned into 2 weeks, 2 weeks that turned into...well, forever!
He turned our lives upside down!
He was a bright eyed, bundle of fur and energy...and of course joy!
He would jump up at us and knock us flying, he barked at everyone who walked past the house, let alone entered it! We were constantly tripping over him as he herded us around the house....and a couple of times he mistook me (and a few other people) as a sheep and nipped me, leaving me with several nasty bruises!
We fell in love with him at first sight, but it took a while for us to get used to having this hyper, giddy, very demanding new family member permanently around....We just hadn't planned for it!
But during the ten wonderful years that he was with us, he grew into the most loyal, lovable, intelligent, compassionate member of our family that we could have ever wished for.
He taught us so much and left behind a legacy of true love.
He loved people and would spend hours sitting at our garden gate waiting for people to pass by and stroke him, he had regular visitors and was very well known and loved by most of our neighbours.
At the time I was a child minder and he adored kids...he was so gentle and loving towards them. He even helped one little girl that I cared for get over her fear of dogs....to the point that even after I no longer looked after her, she would call round and visit us regularly, just to see Moss!
He had an incredible bond with our cat Suzy, they were the best of friends and she missed him terribly when he left us.
His passing at the age of approx 16 - 17 years old left us all devastated and he left a huge hole in our hearts that will never heal.
They will not go quietly,
the pets who've shared our lives.
In subtle ways they let us know
their spirit still survives.
Old habits still can make us think
we hear them at the door
Or step back when we drop
a tasty morsel on the floor.
Our feet still go around the place
the food dish used to be,
And, sometimes, coming home at night,
we miss them terribly.
And although time may bring new friends
and a new food dish to fill,
That one place in our hearts
belongs to them...
and always will.
the pets who've shared our lives.
In subtle ways they let us know
their spirit still survives.
Old habits still can make us think
we hear them at the door
Or step back when we drop
a tasty morsel on the floor.
Our feet still go around the place
the food dish used to be,
And, sometimes, coming home at night,
we miss them terribly.
And although time may bring new friends
and a new food dish to fill,
That one place in our hearts
belongs to them...
and always will.
