The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Pets & Working Animals => Dogs => Topic started by: Penninehillbilly on August 22, 2013, 01:16:29 am

Title: RIP Jack
Post by: Penninehillbilly on August 22, 2013, 01:16:29 am
Last week (haven't been able to face up to it since) we lost our beautiful boy Jack.
He'd been a bit off colour on and off for a few weeks, we put it down to the weather,
On Tuesday I clipped him quite short, as usual he laid there and let me do anything with him, and then took him for a walk, he was trotting round the yard, did his little dance when he realised I was going to walk him up the lane, that night he seemed down again, but ate his tea, OH said he didn't want to go for a walk but he'd got him to go a little way.
Wednesday morning he was laid by his water dish, not moving but alive, I moved him away from the corner and water came out of his mouth. Luckily the vet could see him that morning OH took him down while I saw to the goats. He rang to say Jack hadn't got long and did I want to go down, of course I did but didn't want Jack to suffer any longer than necessary (20-30 min drive), and I would only upset him by being upset. so he held him while it was done. We didn't know, and the vet said she couldn't have diagnosed it, but he had a tumour, (found it by ultrasound) it had kept either leaking or something but his body had kept healing it up, but it had ruptured and bled into his stomach.
How I wish they could talk, or I could have understood, I'm now remembering the times he cried to come through the gate to me and I'd tell him to go and lie down because I was cleaning goat pens out (sharp fork), was he telling me his stomach hurt? yes, the more I think about it the more I realise he was quiet and wanting to be near me those last few weeks.
Well he's back here, down in one of his favourite places, but the house is so empty without him,
He was so good and laid back, but always wanted to be with us, wherever I was he would be there, cats would sleep on top of him, and he had lots of little doggy friends (and human) who would ask where he was if he didn't go to greet them.
I have lots of happy memories, like the time he came down the field, not long after we got him (Manchester dogs home) our pet sheep was coming up and they literally met where the flat land dropped away, they both looked at each other and ran back the  way they had come, really funny to see.
The image I have in my head is of him running through the long grass, chasing rabbits, and they turned but he didn't,
So run free my beautiful boy, if we meet in another life I hope we recognise something in each other,
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: ZaktheLad on August 22, 2013, 07:11:43 am
 :bouquet: :hug: :'( I am so sorry to hear about Jack, so very hard when they go, it really is like losing a member of the family (as indeed they are).  He looked a lovely chap and sounds like he had a fantastic life with you after his harsh start.  Many people disregard rescue dogs but all they need is for someone to give them a chance in life.  You have lots of happy memories of him so hold on to those. RIP Jack.  :bouquet:
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: Bionic on August 22, 2013, 08:11:12 am
Your post brought tears to my eyes. Jack looked suck a lovely dog. He will be pain free now so focus on that and the good years that you had together.
RIP Jack  :bouquet:
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: happygolucky on August 22, 2013, 08:18:22 am
dogs are so much more than pets, I have tears in my eyes thinking about your pain....... :bouquet:  Oohing I can say will help, But we all understand.. :hug:
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: Rosemary on August 22, 2013, 08:19:29 am
 :hug: So sorry to hear about Jack.
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: Clarebelle on August 22, 2013, 08:24:38 am
sorry to hear about your lovely dog, he looks/sounds like a real character. Hindsight is bittersweet, don't beat yourself up over not seeing his pain, it can be very hard to tell if there is anything wrong.  :bouquet:
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: in the hills on August 22, 2013, 08:37:51 am
 :bouquet: :bouquet: :bouquet: So sorry.
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: SallyintNorth on August 22, 2013, 09:14:54 am
Bless Jack and bless you  :hug: :bouquet:
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: kaz on August 22, 2013, 09:44:02 am
So sorry to hear your sad news :bouquet:  I know how you feel after losing my collie just a couple of weeks ago.
Think of the good times you had with him and how he enriched your life. :hug:
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: darkbrowneggs on August 22, 2013, 09:56:26 am
So so sorry  :bouquet:


Losing a treasured friend is very hard.  We all have our allotted time here on this earth, but it is just a part of what we are - people or animals - and there is more to this life that what we see.  I am sure he is still there, still being Jack but in another way.  Dogs give us so much and ask so little, but just be grateful for the lovely happy times you shared


Perhaps you could give another dog a chance to enjoy the happiness that Jack had?
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: Mammyshaz on August 22, 2013, 10:43:55 am
 :bouquet: so sorry Jack is no longer withnyou. The pain will ease but the lovely memories will always stay strong  :hug:
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on August 22, 2013, 12:54:48 pm
having just acquired two border collies who already have a big clutch on my heart, I can only imagine how awful it must be. He looked beautiful.


RIP
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: TheGirlsMum on August 22, 2013, 02:37:36 pm
So sorry
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: HappyHippy on August 22, 2013, 02:49:09 pm
It's over a year since I lost Boris  :dog: and I still miss him every day  :'(
I'm so sorry for your loss but I'm sure Jack is pain free and chasing rabbits now (bet he's catching them too  ;))
 :hug: :hug:Karen x
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: jaykay on August 22, 2013, 03:00:42 pm
Oh bless him. I'm so sorry  :hug:
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: Sudanpan on August 22, 2013, 03:36:33 pm
What a cracking looking boy - remember the lovely eyes and the wagging tail


It's an absolute gut wrencher when you lose your faithful pals


 :bouquet:
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: shygirl on August 22, 2013, 04:44:25 pm
this thread makes me cry. really sorry for you  :bouquet:
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: plumseverywhere on August 22, 2013, 05:57:59 pm
So sorry for you  :bouquet:
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: Brandi on August 22, 2013, 08:03:39 pm
At times words are hardly enough but wanted you to know that we are thinking about you. What a beautiful beautiful dog and a very fortunate one to have been able to share a happy and kind life with people wholoved him. I heard someone say recently that a dog is the only animal who loves his owner(s) more than he loves himself. Struck a particular chord with me as we've always had collies, take care
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: philcaegrug on August 22, 2013, 09:53:53 pm
Dogs' lives are much too short. We had westies and sadly both died within a few months of each other at about 12 years old. I told my wife  "that's it I don't want another dog to go through this again". Two days later we were in the dogs home and came back with a lovely collie /cross something as the house seemed empty without a dog to welcome you home. Very sorry for your loss but try to remember all the good times and the love you gave each other. You may think it too soon but there are a lot of dogs needing a good home. You never forget any of them . :hug:
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: Penninehillbilly on August 22, 2013, 11:47:59 pm
Thank you so much for all your lovely words, I set myself off again last night, couldn't see by the time i'd finished, sorry to ramble on but I had to let it out, and reading your lovely replies has set me off again. Can't let him see me like this, he's struggled as well.
We have talked about going back for another but somehow this time I just can't, not yet, we have usually had 2 dogs at a time, most middle aged when we got them, so we've seen a few come an go, but none were as special as Jack, and it seems wrong to think we can just go and replace him.
I remember the picture in the hayfield so well, we'd had him about 12 months and he's settled down and looked so relaxed and happy.
I think Colliewoman? says somewhere there is a group who get the 'free to good home' dogs (collies?) off the adverts, maybe when we are ready I'll find out who they are.
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: colliewobbles on August 23, 2013, 12:03:52 am
So sorry to hear you sad story and what a stunning boy he was.  I know the group who save the 'free to good home' collies - just let me know when you are ready and I will put you in touch.

 :bouquet:  Donna x
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: Old Shep on August 23, 2013, 12:39:07 pm
so sorry  :bouquet: :bouquet: :bouquet: .
Jack looks a really lovely dog  :love: :love:
 
The group Collie woman knows are very good plus there's Freedom of Spirit Trust for border collies in Bingley (not too far from you) (but only when you are ready  :bouquet: :bouquet: )
Title: Re: RIP Jack
Post by: SallyintNorth on August 23, 2013, 12:41:37 pm
One day your next dog will be at one of those centres and will call you.  You will just know when it is time. :hug: