I'm not really sure that this counts as a blog, as it's more of a reflection; but I feel inclined to share it anyway.
Last night, for an obscure and irrelevant reason, I found myself reading Some Dogs Are Angels.
Despite the fact that I have read it many times during writing/proofing (and yes, I know it’s still full of typos and errors – what can I say!), and I have previously read it once for ‘pleasure’, every time I do read it, it still manages to suck me in. That’s silly really, but there you go, that’s how it is!
The book practically begins with the explanation about my Grandmother’s beloved Miniature Poodle, Peri, and last night, I was sufficiently captivated by the plot to read all the way up to the story of her return as Briony, more than 25 years later.
I was struck by how I had related the tale of my use of Gran’s situation as a training exercise whilst in Berlin, and I recalled only too well the mixture of my sadness, as well as my belief in her folly in deciding not to get another dog after Peri.
And then I suddenly realised that now, if I were faced with a position similar to hers, I would do exactly the same thing.
Gran was truly a dog lover, not just a dog owner. (Refer to my Sept. 2014 blog if you don’t ‘get’ this) She loved Peri with such a passion that nobody could have replaced her. She was wise enough to know this, and she also knew that going from a situation where you are totally loved, to one where you are merely loved somewhat, can be a tragedy for a pet.
Of course, this is not the case for all those whose owners pass on. Certainly, to find a new home can be a great gift for many animals who might otherwise simply face being PTS. and there is always the chance that many might find their lot actually improves.
But how crushingly sad for them, if they have once been adored and cherished, to suddenly find that they are not.
In many respects, I think I've now become like Gran in my attitude towards our dogs. I love them all so much that I couldn’t bear to think of them going to homes where anyone loved them one iota less than we had.
Gran deprived herself of 20 years of dog companionship for fear that she might cause hurt to a being she treasured so much. I can’t help but wonder at what age we will feel the same and stop doing what has already brought us so much joy…
Last night, for an obscure and irrelevant reason, I found myself reading Some Dogs Are Angels.
Despite the fact that I have read it many times during writing/proofing (and yes, I know it’s still full of typos and errors – what can I say!), and I have previously read it once for ‘pleasure’, every time I do read it, it still manages to suck me in. That’s silly really, but there you go, that’s how it is!
The book practically begins with the explanation about my Grandmother’s beloved Miniature Poodle, Peri, and last night, I was sufficiently captivated by the plot to read all the way up to the story of her return as Briony, more than 25 years later.
I was struck by how I had related the tale of my use of Gran’s situation as a training exercise whilst in Berlin, and I recalled only too well the mixture of my sadness, as well as my belief in her folly in deciding not to get another dog after Peri.
And then I suddenly realised that now, if I were faced with a position similar to hers, I would do exactly the same thing.
Gran was truly a dog lover, not just a dog owner. (Refer to my Sept. 2014 blog if you don’t ‘get’ this) She loved Peri with such a passion that nobody could have replaced her. She was wise enough to know this, and she also knew that going from a situation where you are totally loved, to one where you are merely loved somewhat, can be a tragedy for a pet.
Of course, this is not the case for all those whose owners pass on. Certainly, to find a new home can be a great gift for many animals who might otherwise simply face being PTS. and there is always the chance that many might find their lot actually improves.
But how crushingly sad for them, if they have once been adored and cherished, to suddenly find that they are not.
In many respects, I think I've now become like Gran in my attitude towards our dogs. I love them all so much that I couldn’t bear to think of them going to homes where anyone loved them one iota less than we had.
Gran deprived herself of 20 years of dog companionship for fear that she might cause hurt to a being she treasured so much. I can’t help but wonder at what age we will feel the same and stop doing what has already brought us so much joy…