Our working cocker spaniel Eilish died in January2012 and we were not really looking for another dog, but we just happened to look on the internet at the rescue centre called CAESSR and saw George. It said he was blind and was looking for a home. We took one look and said we must have him! We made an appointment with John to see him on Saturday 21st April 2012 and soon we were putting him in the car and taking him home. It was a two and half hour drive back and not a peep out of him – he was quite happy snoozing away.
After a few days of bumping his way around the lounge and kitchen of our home, he settled in very quickly. A few months down the line, when we were making dinner, he could find his way from the lounge to the kitchen at an alarming rate!
My husband (Roger) had taken early retirement so he was with George all day – we never left him at alone for very long as we wanted to let him know that we were there for him. When I came back from work he would jump out of his bed and would try and sense where I was. As soon as he found me he would wrap himself around my leg, nuzzling into me and giving me a paw. Later, he would lie on my lap as I watched TV or he would lie at the bottom of my feet.
Although blind it didn’t stop him doing things. He would come with us every morning for a long walk around the fields with our other dog Rowan (blue roan cocker spaniel). He would trot along with Roger on his extendable lead, wagging his tail and doing lots of sniffing. He was such a delight. He was friendly with every dog that we met.
George had two holidays while he was with us – one to Norfolk in July – where he enjoyed his time walking along the beach with me and my friend Doris and her dog Summer each day. He would wag his tail as he walked along – loving the feeling of sand on his feet. I am sure he was a beach buddy in a past life! In September he enjoyed his holiday with both of us in the Scottish Highlands. Lots of nice smells there!
George made lots of friends – furry ones as well as people friends. He had his own little Fan Club where I worked. I would drop him off at the groomers on the way to work and then they would return him at lunch-time so that I could take him home. Many of my work colleagues would rush down to see him. They all thought he was so loveable. They were always asking how George was. I also had to take him to the hairdressers one Saturday – Roger had to go to a tutorial and I forgot I had a hair appointment. I phoned the hairdresser and asked if I could bring George along – she said no problem. It’s the first time at my hairdressers that someone had a dog on their lap while getting their hair done! They all loved him and said that he was welcome any time.
George was eleven in January, but it felt like that we had him since he was a puppy. He just fitted in. He was a loveable, placid boy. He was such a joy to have and it was a real privilege to have looked after him. Although we only had him for a year we packed a lot into this time.
It’s only the past week that he has had problems with his eating and the vet thought it might be a problem with his teeth. She did lots of tests and because his liver test was elevated she wanted to do a scan. It turned out that poor George had a massive tumour in his stomach and intestines and there was nothing she could do. You can imagine how we felt – we were in a state of shock – we didn’t want to lose him. We brought him home for the weekend to say goodbye. We gave him lots of cuddles and TLC and after much heartache (lots of tears were shed) we made the decision to get him put to sleep today. It’s breaking my heart typing this note, but I do know it was the right decision.
He was a dog in a million and we will never forget him.
He has left such a big hole in our hearts.
We love you George and always will.
Michelle, Roger and Rowan (8th April 2013)
