Mainly my problem was the deadlines and this: We have had some heartbreak in the last weeks. First we had to give Zip away.
He * reeeeally * needed to have a job and a farm. It was a heartbreaking decision, but we knew it would be the best road for everyone involved to find Zip a farm to live and work on.
We did that also so that we could concentrate on the two dogs we already had. There were a lot of issues with Zip trying to herd our OLD dog Hooch, nipping at his hindquarters etc. Now Hooch was absolutely deaf and completely blind in one eye already, and going in the second one... He couldn't deal with this active young adult dog.
So- a really old farmer came to take Zip. I think the guy may have been about 150. He just really thought Zip was great. He'd had Blue Heelers in his life, and was absolutely willing to take him on. I am sure he and Zip will be great friends. I think this man will spend SO much time with him and be constant companions. I wish Zip the very best, and he will always have a special chewed up place in our hearts. Goodbye, Buddy Zip.
We only had about 2 more weeks with our dearest Hoochie. He was a liver colored Cocker.
15 and a half! Nearly unheard of for a Cocker. Poor thing started falling. He fell down the steps to the basement. He fell off the deck ... several times. Thankfully and miraculously, he wasn't hurt in any of these falls, but I knew it would come to that very soon. So far only his pride was hurt. I did NOT want him to hurt himself in an accident and be in pain at the end.
It was SUCH a tough decision, especially on the cusp of giving Zip a new home. But we had to say goodbye to our dear, sweet old friend Hooch.
So we are down to one doggie in our house now. Little brown Hallie the Cocker.
She's 9 now and has never been a healthy dog since the day we got her. If she lives to even 11 I would be surprised. I already see the cataracts coming in both eyes. And she ALWAYS had ear issues, so I think she can hardly hear a thing. So much for the reputable breeder we bought her from. She was our third Cocker, and after her I would never have another. No how, No way. The poor thing. But we are all talking breeds of hunting dogs at our house. Hooch was a first class Pheasant dog, and Dad wants another hunting dog. So come this Spring we will be on the 'hunt' for a new family member. It has been hard already to not run out and try to find a new wet nose to ease our pain. But Hooch was our best friend for so long, it feels proper to really grieve him and take our time. Hallie came on the heels of losing our Honey in an accident, and although we love Hallie, it never was right. No one could replace Honey, and no one can replace our Hooch. Once we work through our sadness and come to think of happier memories, we can move on and open our hearts to new fuzzy puppy love. I think Yellow Labradors, English Setters and German Shorthairs are at the top of the list so far.
Pets are SUCH a part of your heart. People without them can never understand. I have cried every day these last few weeks. Even before Hooch went because I knew it was imminent. The loss of these two dogs has put me into a great emotional turmoil and I am not myself.
It's so very hard. People understand the grief when a person in your life has gone, but they never get it that your pet is the same thing.
Rest in Peace~ my Dearest, Sweetest Friend Hooch.
We love you and will see you again.
I will REALLY try to get good at this blogging thing! I will have lots of eye candy in the upcoming days, I promise!!! :)
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