As any dog-walker will tell you, regular haunts mean meeting lots of other dogs, and their owners. At one time, Ollie enjoyed the company of the same afternoon gang. We could have up to eight dogs in a very happy pack, and they would play together as we chatted walking around Beetley Meadows, or Hoe Rough.
Sadly, some of those dogs have since died, or owners have moved away. Each year, the old canine faces become fewer, and new ones arrive to replace them. But the boisterous new arrivals rarely interest Ollie, and he still scans the paths and fields for a sight of some of his ‘best mates’.
Just lately, we have been hearing some bad news about some of Ollie’s oldest friends and companions. Winston is fifteen now, and has recently suffered a stroke. He can still come out, but only for around ten minutes a day. Big Rocky the Newfoundland has suffered a complete collapse of his back legs. His owners bought a special cart to wheel him around in, as once in the river, he can still swim to his heart’s content. But he can no longer walk without assistance, and wears a harness with handles so that he can be lifted in and out of his cart.
Yesterday, I heard some sad news about Spike, the Rhodesian Ridgeback. He was born in February 2012, the same time as Ollie. For many years, they were firm friends, and used to enjoy the rough and tumble of dominant play. But for some time now, I haven’t seen him around. I spoke to his owner yesterday who informed me that he has a complete deterioration of his spine, and can hardly walk. If he stands still, he falls over. The prognosis is not good, and they are just ‘keeping him comfortable’.
Earlier this year, Buster the Lhasa Apso died unexpectedly from kidney failure. Paddy, the Collie who lives next door, is over fifteen years old. His back legs have crossed-over, and although he can still manage to walk, it is upsetting to see him struggling.
Some of the old gang are still the same. Toby the Jack Russell, as mad for his ball as ever. Poppy the Lakeland Terrier, still lively at ten years old. And a few of the new arrivals are slowly being accepted by Ollie too. Marley the black Labradoodle, and his terrier partner, Duke. Buddy and Walter, the frantic yellow Labradors, and Flossie the young Whippet, who trembles with delight every time she sees him.
Ollie is one of the ‘old guys’ now. Respected, sometimes avoided, but still in charge of his walking grounds.
At least as far as he is concerned.
Makes me think of my own fur baby and how lucky we are to have him in our lives. He brings so much joy.
LikeLike
Thanks, Sami. Glad you enjoyed the post.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
sad reality, Pete. hope Ollie gets new friends. cheers! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Wilma. They do try to play with him, but he keeps looking around for his ‘missing’ friends.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
I am sorry for Ollie, but you, his best friend and caretaker will walk with him. Best wishes and greetings, Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
He still has some pals, Michael. And yes, he will hopefully have me too. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂🙂
LikeLike
This breaks my heart. I know well that losing a pet to aging is devastating. But dogs go to heaven too. That makes me happy I will see Skid and his wives again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Lara. It seems that I had overlooked the passing of time for dogs, when concentrating on my own ageing.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We all do Pete. But I have had dreams of Skid lately. I miss him so much I ache.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure you do. I can’t even imagine life without Ollie now. x
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
So sad to know that Ollie misses his friends. Our Rosie can only play with other dogs at daycare because walking her is futile. She’s so protective of my daughter (her owner) that neither dog nor human can come near. We have to hear about her fun times from the day care folks 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a shame about Rosie. Ollie is pretty friendly with most people, and with all other dogs. He is a little suspicious of walkers who don’t have a dog though.
Thanks, Lelia.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
This is quite sad, Pete. It is what happens with very old people too. They start losing all their friends and siblings. I suppose with veterinary interventions, dogs are also living longer now. I don’t recall seeing such old dogs around when I was a girl.
LikeLiked by 2 people
My grandparent’s dog lived to an old age, but it was rare back then, as few people could afford Vet bills, and nobody had insurance. Some of the very old dogs around here are quite pitiful to see, but their owners are so reluctant to have them put to sleep now.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s wonderful that Ollie is such a social dog. I’ve only owned one dog who did not do well with other dogs, and that was quite a problem. It’s not fun if your dog wants to fight (not play) with others. I ended up walking him at the crack of dawn before I went to work and then had to find isolated places for him to get a run in. I hope that Ollie can meet some new friends to replace the old ones.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Pete. There are a couple of anti-social dogs around here. They have to be kept on a lead, and away from all other dogs. I think that having a dog like that would be quite depressing, and take away so much of the joy of waking your dog.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike
So sad to hear, Pete…
LikeLiked by 1 person
The time passes so quickly, you forget the dogs are getting old too.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Warmest regards, Theo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Theo.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This one got an emotional reaction from me, Sory for the terse reply. Warmest regards, Theo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Aw bittersweet. I’m glad Ollie is still able to get out and about. I understand how he feels though. There’s something special about our old friends even as we continue to make new ones. They can’t be replaced.
LikeLiked by 1 person
His canine concerns reflect our own lives indeed, Susanne.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
At least Ollie’s well with the world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, just still missing some of his old companions.
He had a good walk today. He must have, as I wore myself out trudging through the mud. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always sad to see pets deteriorate, even if owned by others. Dogs are very social creatures and I am sure Ollie misses his mates. I can only imagine how hard it is for the owners. It is hard for us when one of our ‘grand dogs’ takes ill. They are definitely important members of the family.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very much so, Maggie. Even after seven years, I really cannot imagine life without Ollie around.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I understand, Pete. They are best friends.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The story about Ollie’s old friends in heartwarming and I must admit that I, myself, am now experiencing some of the same kinds of stress that your dear little puppy friend must be experiencing with the passing of some of his old friends. The happy and positive moral to this story is that Ollie still has you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, John. I have also lost dear friends as I got older, and can perhaps understand how Ollie feels too.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, pets are heart-breakers sometimes. We had a small border-collie-mixed-with-something who was deaf. She was completely fierce and fearless against any bigger dogs that didn’t understand she was THE big dog. It was cute and kind of scary sometimes, but she pulled it off. We think it may have been her deafness causing her to miss some cues and causing confusion on the part of bigger dogs.
LikeLiked by 1 person
One of the dogs (a Spaniel) around here is deaf and blind.. He wears a small coat warning people of that, and you have to approach him carefully, so he can smell you. He manages really well on just smells alone.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a sad reminder of the passing of time. My Lacey had a BFF who passed away a couple of years before my baby did. We’d walk by her house and Lacey’s tail would droop when she realized Lada couldn’t come out to play.
LikeLiked by 2 people
He does that outside the house of a dog whose owner moved away. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I dont like to think about them getting to the end and would do anything to keep Jackie going as long as possible, however I sometimes feel that the decision to try and keep them alive when suffering is obvious is doing nothing but lining the pockets of the vets.
I remember my Gran, a lifelong dog breeder, always wanted to be put to sleep once it was time and she no longer knew her mind or body, sadly she had to suffer a few more years before nature took her as no one would give her the injection.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I agree. Once they have no quality of life, (or us) the kindest thing is to help them pass peacefully.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is sad news about some of Ollie’s mates. I’m glad Ollie doesn’t seem to be slowing down and still enjoys his walks and exercise. He may not enjoy a walk up here, though, the rain is horizontal today 😦
LikeLiked by 2 people
He never cares a fig about rain, Mary. It’s just me who moans about that. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
At least Ollie is still fit, and you look after him so well. Feel sorry for Big Rocky, so ignominious to be wheeled about when you’ve been a big healthy guy, but nice that he can still swim.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He is a character in his cart, no doubt about that. And he loves the water. 🙂
I do my best for Ollie of course, but these events do make me realise the passing of time.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 2 people
For all of us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is certainly sad news all around, but Ollie is young at heart and I’ll bet that’s what keeps him going!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like to think so, GP. He will be 8 in February, and he’s not slowing down too much. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good sign!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh dear, sad news about so many of Ollie’s mates.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It makes me realise how quickly time is passing, Peggy.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sad to hear that Pete. I hope Ollie more playmates soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
There are many who want to play, but Ollie keeps looking for his old friends. He doesn’t understand where they have gone.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sorry, I missed typing “finds” after Ollie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks for reblogging. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I never knew that walking a dog could be so much fun, most of the time anyway…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you have to make it something more than it is. Otherwise, it could soon get very boring. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You make it sound fun!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It can be, when it’s not pouring with rain! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m grateful that Pete is still in good health! I was reading this interesting post the other day, about how we measure their age: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/11/28/scientists-have-come-up-with-better-way-convert-your-dogs-age-human-years/
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, Nicholas. I am reading the link now.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting read Nicholas 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Arlene! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I was still using the old 1-for-7 formula, so it was interesting to see how this has changed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do that too so our mixed breed will be turning 14 by February next year or more based on this write-up
LikeLiked by 2 people
This reminds me of the decline of humanity , it is uncannily the same.
For some we loved, the loveliest and the best
That from His vintage rolling Time has pressed,
Have drunk the cup a round of two before,
And one by one crept silently to rest.’
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, FM. To be honest, it makes me worry about Ollie, which does seem rather selfish.
Best wishes, Pete.
LikeLike