Goodbyes and Hellos

Sadly dear 'Good Girl' Rosie died suddenly a few weeks ago after a brief illness. She was such an elegant and sweet natured Springer spaniel that her 'people' and all who had known her were desperately sad.

However, after a period of grief and adjustment to getting used to missing one pooch after being used to having a pair - Rosie's people decided to return to full complement and chose another Springer girl - this time a bundle of personality in the shape of the 8- week old Poppy. She is also a black and white Springer, and has the appearance of an angel, a loving nature, and the single-mindedness and demeanour of a guerrilla terrorist. Never turn your head away while there is one half of a sandwich left on your plate - whoosh, gone - and a pup finishing a gulp, and looking up with an over-innocent expression of "I didn't do anything, and, anyway, non-one was actually eating it at the time". Cat flap blocked in? No problem, a swift head- butt or two, and - Oooh, look- cats' plates with food in them! Oooh look, cats' plates - empty. "I didn't do anything". Sudden pukey puppy, until the next opportunity. The frogs in the pond have also learned to step a bit more lively, but Lord knows what will happen when she sees frog spawn.

Just like a human infant everything is new, to be explored and if possible, tasted. Just like a human infant, sleeping all night is for wussies, and her people were getting increasingly wan faced after 3.00 am yelps demanding a comfort break in the garden (what a good girl) followed by an OK-now-we're-up-what-shall-we-do bounciness (not so good). Poor old Mossy, her middle- aged gentleman kennel companion wasn't best pleased either.

Mossy, the other Springer, who at 8 years old is a quite respectable middle- aged gent, had quite a culture shock which he handled with great aplomb, punctuated by a few moments when he had to assert himself (hanging on his ears, attempting to remove his dog treat from out of his very mouth, having buried her own for later). But she adores him, and he tolerates her jumping all over him and running cross-wise under his legs while he walks. He also puts up with visitors melting over the pup, though fortunately most are sensible enough to bring him a treat as well (always take sweeties for the siblings when going to see the new baby), and at least his ears don't get chewed for a bit while they are there.

She is now big enough to go for walks on the South Downs, and the discovery that there was a world outside her own large garden was a revelation. What with piles of cow dung, rabbit droppings, and other dogs and walkers - what more could a pup want? Not very much really. She is a lucky girl to have got such a loving home, and she has brought a new light to a sad family. As the lovely local vet said at his first sight of Poppy, - "No-one could replace Rosie, but (picking her up and giving her a large kiss) - I think you'll do".


© Thelma Mitchell 2003