I've always tried to be honest about our life, celebrating how rewarding it is to adopt and be loved by a rescue Labrador and those of you who have read from day one will know that we've had some low's too during this time, losing Dolly.
Today is about high's and low's, sadly this time it's to share the news that Sir H will be making his way to Rainbow Bridge tomorrow......
When Sir H arrived in April 2008, I didn't know how old he was, only that he was "around 10 or 11" and had a poorly paw. I didn't know that Sir H would be Master of Glare's, a grumpy old man and yet on other occassions, a cuddle monster.
Over the last few months, Sir H has slowed right down, getting more wobbly on his back legs and unable to use his front leg. Although Sir H can potter around for a short while, he can't go far and in recent weeks, he's had a lump appear and grow on his bad leg.
Sir H is totally unique - the most un-Labrador like Labrador I've ever known. And ever had the pleasure to share my life with. Sir H doesn't play with toys, has very little inclination to run, isn't greedy and at times is fussy about what he eats. But he's just so loveable!
For Sir H, the simple pleasure's in life are the most important. Sniffing the fresh air on a sunny spring day; rolling on the grass, legs waving in the air; wallowing in a nice muddy puddle and when he chooses, having a cuddle. And rolling in snow, as demonstrated in one of my favourite photo's!
Apart from his mobility problems and the lump on his leg, Sir H was unwell in the night with a poorly tummy and it's been heartbreaking to see him trying to go to the toilet but be so unsteady on his feet. My old boy deserves his dignity, and there's a saying: better a day early than a day too late.
I don't think in his mind Sir H has given up, far from it judging by his excitement when I got him a special extra supper of honey roast ham and mini sausages. But his poor old body is just too frail now and I can't let him carry on.
So today we went to see Malcolm our vet and as he said, individually, we may have had options with Sir H's different problems. But the lump on Sir H's leg is attached to the bone so the only option would be amuptation. And that's just not an option. After his bad reaction to anaesthetic last year, Sir H can't have any kind of surgery.
I would love to think that Sir H could be made well again, but I can't risk him becoming so unsteady that he falls down the stairs and stopping him coming up to bed at night would upset him. As it is, I help him up each night and if he wants to go before me, he cries until I help him. I've always believed in quality over quantity and the reality is, Sir H is an old dog. Although his time with us has been short, just over 2 years, I hope that he's been happy, even if he doesn't show it!
Tonight is Sir H's last night with us and we've given him lots of cuddles, lots of kisses and taken him out in the garden so he can roll around in the grass.
Wiggle has been quite unsettled. He worries if I'm upset and I'm sure he senses that all is not well. Sir H was his big brother and I'm sure he will miss him just as much as me.....
