Dee

May 1992-December 2004

Dee came to live with us in the spring of 2001.  Janice Ellis had heard about a 9 year old bitch that needed a new home and knowing that we had lost Shula asked if we would be prepared to take on a slightly 'younger oldie'.  We went to visit her at home and decided we would collect her the following weekend. She came "home" and it seemed as though she had always been with us. She very quickly bonded with Megan and even "bossy"  Fae took to her. We quickly realised what a calm steady nature she had and so she was assessed and became our 3rd Pat Dog.  Patients and  Staff looked forward to her visits at the local Stroke Rehabilitation Unit. She retired  in the Summer 2004 having become unsteady on her back legs, her great friend Megan has taken on her role . Dee enjoyed basic obedience and passed her Kennel Club Good Citizen's Bronze Award.  

We have happy memories of Dee attending her first exemption show at the age of 10 where she gained the award of Best Veteran and Reserve Best in Show, handled by Laura then aged 11. You'd have thought we'd won Crufts . At her 2nd show she was again Best Veteran in Show, that was in September 2003. We decided to retire her after that , while she was at the top!!!

She enjoyed lazing on the sofa with the other dogs and until her last few months sneaking upstairs to bed!! something she learnt quickly from the Mwenga Hounds! Everyone that met her was captured by that look, so open and honest. Over the last week of her life that look changed. Those of you who have lost dogs will know it. It's a look that speaks volumes and cannot be ignored, try as we might for our sake. On Tuesday 7th December she passed over Rainbow Bridge. We miss her quiet presence dreadfully.

As you know I look after children for a living and they have a wonderfully simple view of life and death. Ellie aged 3 and Benjamin aged 7 lost their Grandad in November. They have been actively encouraged to talk about him and remember him.  2 days after Dee died Ellie announced that "Dee was in heaven with Grandad" after which Benjamin added "he'll take her to the pub and she'll have to go to the football" ......a very comforting picture.