Last week on Thursday, was International Dog Day. This day that celebrates our four legged canine friends, is intended to be a reminder that there are many dogs who need to be rescued from homes which fail to provide care, and other difficult situations. The day aims to also put the spotlight on dogs who are homeless, and encourage people who are looking to introduce a dog into their family to consider a dog who is need of a loving home.
To celebrate International Dog Day, I thought I’d introduce you to the most important little characters in our household.
Oscar
Oscar is a practical poodle who doesn’t have time for nonsense. For Oscar, life is about having fun, helping out in the garden, bushwalking, rounding up chooks and guinea fowl, and generally being involved in anything that is happening, at any given time.
Resting after a busy day
Molly
Molly, my little maltese/shihitsu, came to me in 2007, when she needed to be re-homed. This was at a bad time of life for me, when I had recently moved to Bendigo, and was suffering a form of grief, after the breakup of my marriage.
Before I moved, I had three dogs, but was only able to bring one – Matilda, the toy poodle – with me. You can imagine how it broke my heart to leave the other two behind. I had the idea that it broke Matilda’s heart also, to leave her mates. She had never been a lone dog and seemed to be stressing, so I began the search for a mate for her. I heard about Molly, who belonged to my niece, and very soon, she had arrived. It took a while for them to become friends but they ended up being great mates.
In those days, I was doing quite a lot of trail running. Molly on her tiny little legs would run 10k easily with me, and often more. Molly has now almost reached the great old age of nineteen years.
The vet seems to think that those years of running have given her a very strong, healthy heart and a long life. She’s still getting excellent reports from the vet at her check ups. Today, Molly only cares about two things – food and sleep. She’s old, cranky, scrawny and ragged around the edges – very much like myself these days!
Matilda
I can’t talk about my dogs, without including Matilda who came to me as a tiny toy poodle in 2000. Matilda was apricot in colour and much tinier that Oscar’s size, though they are both toy poodles.
From the first day, Matilda clung to me, and forever after was always by my side. When I moved to Bendigo, and was not in a happy state, I knew that Matilda could always sense that I was sad, and tried her hardest to cheer me up.
Before the move to Bendigo, Matilda walked with me every day at 5am, whatever the weather. I was younger then and didn’t feel the cold as much as I do these days. When I started running Matilda would run with me. It must have been a sight. It’s not often that you see a toy poodle out running.
What was probably a more unusual sight was both Matilda and Molly running with me. They actually kept me going, because I knew they loved it so much. Very sadly, Matilda died in 2016, when I was on holidays in USA. I never really recovered from losing her as at the time, she was the best friend anyone could ever have.
I really can’t imagine life without my dogs. Thinking of the time in the future when I’m unable to have them makes me feel desperately sad. I hope you’ve enjoyed meeting my four legged friends.
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Lovely to meet your dogs! We’re approaching a year since we had to put our dog down and I’m still to heartbroken to even consider another. I’d like to one day, but maybe not as a renter. I respect the rules in the lease unlike many but also wish for any new pet to be allowed to be a “full” member of the household in all locations.
So sorry to hear that you lost your dog. A year is very recent and I can imagine how hard it is for you to replace him. I feel strongly about landlords allowing tenants to have dogs. It’s in humane not to allow it. My tenant has a dog and I‘Be never had a problem
So lovely to meet your dogs this way Jen, a great way to celebrate International Dogs Day! #lifethisweek
Thanks for popping in again Deb
Your dogs are so adorable and special. I’m a dog person too so I totally get it. I hope you have many more happy years with your furry friends.
Thanks Ness. I agree that yes, they are adorable. 😂
Never too late to tell your dogs’ stories. Thanks so much for introducing us to your 4-legged family.
Thanks for popping in Jill
Loved meeting your pups past and present – they’re all gorgeous! Teddy Roosevelt is only 2 but I already worry about the day when he’s not here anymore 🙁 Molly is a testament to your first rate dog mumming, 19 years is incredible! What a special little lady! I love the quote “everyone thinks they have the best dog and none of them are wrong.” So true!
Hi Sammie I love that quote. It’s very true. We’re trying to live in the moment with Molly.
What cuties Jen. I haven’t had a dog since becoming an adult (any pet really).
We had boxer dogs when I was growing up and our last one passed away in 1985 when I was at Uni.
Hi Deb. You’ve reminded me that my son had two boxers many years ago. They were gorgeous dogs. It’s very sad for everyone when they pass away
I am so pleased to both read about your dogs and to know of the love you have for them and the meaning they can bring to your life.
I have not really been a pet person but in 1994 our then adult kids convinced their parents to get a dog as we had moved into a brand new house in a brand new area. She was a bit of this and that and more lab than kelpie. Our son loved her so much yet we were the ones who did the clean ups, the vet visits and more.
She moved with us to a different house and whilst she did have some yard, it was not ideal. She was a nervous dog and a very active one. Our son left her in our good hands..when he left home and formed a relationship in 2004 and then, oh so sadly dear Loopy became very unwell on the June long weekend, and my husband (and the vet who came to our place) made the call that she need no longer suffer.
Our son and his sister raced to our place when they heard the awful news, and together with their dad, buried her in our backyard. I was sad she died. However, neither of us wants to manage a new dog in retirement and renting. We say g’day to our kids’ dogs when we get to see them.
Thanks for sharing the post for Life This Week. Loved reading yours. Next week’s optional prompt is Self Care Stories. Hope to see you there too. Denyse
Hi Denyse, pets can definitely be a difficult issue at times. We were been left with a few of our children’s pets when they left home too. Thankfully all worked out well at the time, but I do understand the difficulty you had.
Jennifer, I love meeting your past and present dogs. Dogs are loyal and they’re wonderful to have around, especially during hard times. Thank you for linking your post with #weekendcoffeeshare.
Thanks for visiting Natalie. I’m pleased you enjoyed meeting my friends
I’m reading this with Kali aka Adventure Spaniel snoring beside me. At almost 13 she’s getting on a bit, but my heart breaks at the thought of one day being without her. They truly are so very special and it was lovely meeting yours.
It’s more than heartbreaking when our four legged friends leave us Jo. I’m sure it will be the end of us if we out live Oscar. Btw Kali is a gorgeous girl
Loved meeting your adorable critters.
In college I developed allergies that have kept most pets out of our picture. My allergies don’t include reptiles but for some odd reason, my wife was not interested in any of them.
Thanks for sharing.
I’m not surprised Gay. Reptiles would be a step too far for me too
Fabulous celebration! So much joy on their furry faces!
They are usually very happy that’s for sure
They are lovely! I’ve had a dog most of my life, but at the moment my work and living situation doesn’t allow it. I miss it every day. I’ve mostly had German Shepherds, with the exception of one beautiful American Bulldog.
Hi Maria I hope you’re able to have a dog in your life soon.
Hello and happy Sunday 😊. You have such lovely dogs living with you. Was lovely to meet you all 🤗
Hi Liz thanks for popping in
Oh my, they’re all so cute. My inlaws recently lost their Tiny Teacup Poodle. He was 14 or 15 I think. So cute and fun. I love when pets have IG pages. They are fun. Growing up we had lots of dogs. A poodle, beagles, english setter, german shepherd. My hubby isn’t a fan of pets so we haven’t had any.
My Matilda was a tiny teacup. They’re gorgeous little dogs with big personalities. Thanks for visiting Kirstin