Wiggle - Day 2,952

Wiggle is wobbling on, taking his retirement at a gentle pace but still happy and waggy and as cuddly as ever.

I've been looking back at this day and reflecting on Wiggle's life with me which makes me smile to think of the memories.

July 2008 and Wiggle was so athletic, leaping for his tennis ball: 

July 2009, my most handsome boy:

July 2010, silly Wiggle:

July 2011, running in the field:

July 2012, looking woeful in his towel after a summer shower:

July 2013, flecks of grey coming through:

July 2014, in the field with Sofy:

And last year, in Richmond Park with Haggis, Sofy and Cato:

I so love my Wiggle and all the memories we've shared.

Happy 8th Gotcha Day Wiggle!

Tomorrow is Wiggle's 8th Gotcha Day - 8 whole years since I first met this sad, itchy, skinny boy:

I had fostered quite a few dogs before Wiggle but none were in such bad physical shape as Wiggle when I went to collect him on 20th June 2008:

Soon though Wiggle started to get better and it didn't take long for me to fall in love with this special boy:

And now, 3 months away from his 14th birthday, I love him even more than I thought possible.  Old age has slowed Wiggle but he still has his cheeky ways and every time he looks at me, he melts my heart: 

Sofy loves him too and takes care of her big brother:

I doubt we will celebrate another Gotcha Day but for me, every day with Wiggle is special.

Wiggle - Day 2,924

Wiggle went for his last hydrotherapy session this week.  Sadly he finds it too tiring to swim much and although he is excited and happy to be there, his old body just doesn't have the energy any more.  It does make me sad as its another reminder that he is very much in retirement these days but to give him a treat, we stopped at Subway on the way home so he could have a grilled ham and cheese sub:

Lilly is still with us so today I took the girls to Virginia Water in Windsor Great Park to meet up with Mindy, Cato and Haggis.  All 4 Labbies were very happy to see each other again and wasted no time in having some fun:

Lilly and Sofy are best friends and enjoyed their day out:

Wiggle stayed home but did manage a little walk to the green at the end of our road.  He finds it tiring but he still wants to go out so we go at his pace.  Then he comes home and rests:

Wiggle - Day 2,917

We have Lilly staying with us while her family are on holiday so she has been enjoying the sunshine with Wiggle and Sofy:

Sofy is happy to have her BFF here to keep her company for our walks in the fields:

Lilly seems to like being here and has made herself at home:

Wiggle is happy, having felt the warmth of the sun on his fur he's now keeping watch on me as I type.

This blog entry is in memory of Val, our friend and a very lovely lady.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ASmile4Val

Wiggle - Day 2,910

Wiggle is still wobbling on, taking life at his own pace.  He's happy and waggy which is the most important thing to me and he still shows his cheeky side, like watching me eat with an expressions that says "share with me"

Wiggle still takes Atopica for his skin allergies and is on a low dose of Tramadol, just to keep pain at bay so every day he continues to wag his tail and show me he's happy makes me happy.

Wiggle - Day 2,903

Look!  A mini Wiggle!

The very kind people at Arty Lobster got in touch and asked if I would like a sculpture of Wiggle and I jumped at the chance.  Isabel had found Wiggle's blog and already had plenty of photo's to choose from and a few weeks later, this fabbie miniature version of Wiggle arrived.

I love it, my very own miniature Wiggle!

And as for real Wiggle, well he's fine, plodding along at his own pace and enjoying the warmer weather:

Wiggle - Day 2,889

Poor Wiggle, old age is getting the better of him.  

One downside to getting old for Wiggle is that sometimes he can't go through the night without needing to pee.  So despite being 13 years and 7 months old, Wiggle has puppy pads!  I love him too much to worry about a bit of wee so puppy training pads are the answer.

Another noticeable change in Wiggle is that his walks are getting shorter.  He does want to go out and sniff the grass and potter about but he can't manage to go too far and he often stops for a rest.  It makes me happy to see him out but sad when I then take Sofy out for longer knowing Wiggle used to enjoy our walks in the fields so much.

But despite this, he's happy and interested in what's going on, loves his fuss and cuddles and is my Waggy Wiggle.