Why Bob?

I the summer of 2011 Bob suddenly became ill. He couldn't get up the stairs at my daughter's flat and had difficulty breathing. I knew he had a heart murmur, the vet had detected it when we first got him.

Anyway, the vet decided to put him on some heart medication and he was fine up until Christmas 2012. On Christmas night he couldn't get up the stairs again.  It just came out of the blue. No warning, no gradual decline or anything. He just couldn't get up the step after a walk.

So I took him to the vet the next day and it turned out he had an ulcer on his eye.  It probably was caused by him scratching it on something or with his paw.  Anyway, then we embarked on the treatment for his eye and after some problems with wrong medication and more heart trouble it seems that Bob is on borrowed time. 

I can't describe how I feel.  He's my friend, companion and confident, though I often comment that he doesn't really like to express an opinion. I can't imagine what life will be like without Bob.

He did come good for a few months but just yesterday his breathing became very laboured and he has no energy. I'm carrying him out for his walk, which is I walk he gets carried.

We are off to a new vet tomorrow to get a second opinion so well see how that goes.

Life in the UK

In 2008 I decided I wanted a change so, I moved half way round the world to the UK.  That sounds a bit flippant I know but it was the easiest move and one of the better decisions I've made.  

It is always hard leaving close family and friends but everyone was supportive. I am not alone here I have one of my daughters and son in law. And, of course I have my Bobby!

My family thought I was cracked when I said Bob was coming with me  but there was no way I could just abandon him.  My cousin tried to find him a new home but it wasn't really an option for me.

It's not an unusual thing to transport pets now.  I must admit I prefer not to dwell on what happened to Bob on his long journey from Australia to London. I don't think he did any duty free shopping in Singapore during his stopover.  I only know he arrived safely even if slightly jet lagged.  I was at work the day he arrived and so my daughter was at my flat to greet him.  

I was really excited to see him and the reunion was a bit subdued, he was tired but the next day he seemed fine. The neighbours children had been waiting for his arrival and came in to see Bob and had bought a present, a squeaky toy which was a great hit. 

So life in the UK began for us.  

In the beginning .......

I have always had pets.  My Mother and Father had a dog when I was born.  He was a bitser called Baldy. I think Dad found him and brought him home.  Once Baldy went missing for a week or so and we thought he'd come to a sticky end, then one evening he turned up at the door.  His feet were bloody and we always thought someone had taken him but he had found his way back. 

               Maxi   

Over the years there was a steady procession of dogs, rabbits, budgies and goldfish.  When I married in 1970 I had a corgi called Sansy.  I had to leave him with Mum mad Dad because my husband was a farmer and thought Sandy and sheep probably wouldn't mix too well.  I hated leaving him but he was well looked after by Mum.

We had another series of dogs, kelpies, one in particular we called Tracey because she was born around the time Cyclone Tracey hit.  Anyway, when my girls were little we got Tip a wonderful black kelpie/German Shepherd.  He was a great companion. Then we got Maxi a Chihaha/Jack Russell. She was a real character.  She'd lie on Tip's back on our verandah and watch.  When someone or a dog had the audacity to pass by she'd bark and Tip would run down and clear the six foot fence.  He had no intention of attacking anyone.  

Walking with Bob

Bob is the first dog I've had that I have walked regularly.  Maxi wouldn't walk on the lead and we always had a big backyard so walking seemed unnecessary.

Anyway, Bob loved his walks right from the first day.  To my surprise he was very well behaved.  He walked alongside me, didn't pull on the lead and when we came to the edge of the road he understood, wait and then would walk on when I said OK.  

Now, I don't know if he just understood or if he had been trained. He still really enjoys his walks and loves to get out and sniff his way along.  I call him the sniffer dog, he could earn a living at Heathrow.  Especially if he had to sniff out food in the suitcases.

Here's Bob out for a walk in the snow.

Every time I go out with Bob I just feel such joy.  He usually goes out with such purpose and nothing slows him down. Not even the snow. Having said that if it's raining he just stands on the porch and looks at me as it to say, "you are kidding". He has one of those tails with the long hair on the end. I call it his flag and it's always wagging.

Lately, Bob has been sick so he finds the walk a bit more difficult.  He has a bad heart now and wants to go but can't walk as fast.  I don't mind it just takes longer.

He is still determined that he is the master of the walk.  We have to go where he wants to go.  If I try to go in a direction he doesn't want to go, he just stands still.  Believe it or not, I must be cracked because I actually ask him where he wants to go and he turns his head and points the way, every time!!

Then along came Bob....

In 2003 after about 13 years we lost Maxi.  I was living alone by this time and she had been great company.  So, I was alone and feeling very sad. I decided to take a look at the Internet sites for a rescue dog. I am not sure how I came up with the idea of taking on a rescue dog.  I looked at the RSPCA and went to a the local council  dog shelters. I saw many dogs but not one of them was quite right. 

Then by chance I looked at another website called PAWS and there he was.  He had been named Beckham. My daughter and I went to visit him at the house where he was being held until someone bought him.  We were sitting on the sofa waiting and as soon as he came into the room he ran over and jumped up next to me mad put his head in my lap.  I was sold.  We put him in the car and he jumped up on the back ledge! So Erin nursed him all the way home. I called him Bobby after Greyfriar's Bobby, a favourite story of mine.

                 Bob made himself at home right from the start

He had been found by the dog catcher wondering the streets with no collar or microchip. Unlucky for the people who lost him but very lucky for me. 

Bob had some funny habits at first.  He wouldn't sleep in his bed, preferring to be outside on a garden chair.  Also, when I walked him he would walk right on the edge of the footpath and not on the grass.  

Anyway, Bob has been with me for 10 years and I now live in the UK. And this blog will be some anecdotes about my Bobby.......