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OT: Hector 2004-2016


In 2004, RW's very old Cocker Spaniel was declining fast. We wanted our then-young Golden to have a companion, and we had more-or-less decided on a Springer Spaniel. In fact, I was at work discussing this over the phone with RW when I overheard one of my co-workers mentioning that one of her Springer Spaniels had just given birth to 14(!) Springer/Black Labrador mix puppies. Not on purpose, of course: the Springer's human found out the hard way that "invisible fences" are good for keeping your dogs in, but are bad at keeping other dogs out.

We visited her house, and one picked us out. When the squiggly ball of playing puppies would roll all over the yard, one stayed with us. As puppies, and as adults, Hector and his brothers and sisters were virtually indistinguishable from Flat-Coat Retrievers; he was mistaken for one hundreds of times as we hiked the local training trails.

Hector was never as athletic as his purebred Golden older sister, and peculiarly enough given his parents, not a big fan of water. But he was unfailingly loyal. When they got out of the yard, the Golden would lead us on really annoying chases that would often end several blocks away; Hector, on the other hand, would sit at the front porch and wait for someone to let him back in the house. He was great with children, and much more human-friendly than our Golden, who often acted more like a Shiba Inu. Or a cat. All he wanted to do was be with his people, and preferably, a bunch of other people as well. At the off-leash dog park, he was way more interested in the other humans, than the other dogs.

We moved, and our vast old backyard was replaced by a smaller one. However, he was old enough not to care as much about the lack of space, and there was a popular park nearby to explore, although on leash. Since our Golden, who was once a magnificently agile dog with amazing endurance, aged out of doing walks, Hector got all of the walk attention. The couple of times the Golden did escape, Hector followed her, and made sure she got back home.

A couple of years ago, he started to get arthritis, and his long hike days were over. Still, he adapted well to being a more sedentary city dog. However, a couple of months ago, his vet removed a melanoma growth on his gum. The vet thought he had got it before it had spread.

But, it turned out, he hadn't. Hector declined quickly. He was put on puppy hospice drugs, which created a brief burst of energy and vitality, but we knew that they were not going to do anything but keep him happier as the inevitable happened. Last Saturday, he took a severe turn for the worse, and essentially stopped eating and drinking.

The end came this morning. We were hoping to have Hector around for at least a few more months, to teach the new puppy how to live and work in our pack. But, no such luck.

Farewell, Hector.


Look- it's trying to think!

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Quick, play dead.

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How are you?

Look- it's trying to think!

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I'm very well thanks CTS. You know, it doesn't matter how old you are or how big you are, or what your socio-economic or family status is, doesn't it hurt like a bee-itch when they go :(


Many people say they're part of the family, and I did too but in Jet's case I found out he was actually part of me. I thought I was doing ok for the first couple of weeks after he died and then I hit the wall. I had no clue how bonded I was to him and found myself bargaining with a god and a devil I don't believe in, thusly: "Please, please, please let me have him back for one more night of cuddles and I promise I'll give him up again tomorrow..." Just like a heroin addict - and I thought the physical pain would kill me. I was convinced I wasn't going to make it through the night. That night my little girl dog, Emma, and I had an early night where I thrashed about trying to get rid of the phantom pain in my right arm, (which I still get) and eventually cried myself to sleep with tears in my ears and sweet little Emma felt my upset too.

It's the first of Spring today so things are looking up. We've had a reasonably mild and short winter. Some outstandingly bad days, one of which saw me taxiiing home from work in a helluva hurry when I heard that my street was flooding from the monsoon rains. It's going to have to flood at least 6 feet deep before my two can be washed over the fences, and they'd probably die of exhaustion from hours of swimming well before then. As it turned out it was the other end of the street that copped the worst of it.

And I can report that my office now has women in the two top roles. Our Chief Counsel and one of her Deputies. Two very experienced and knowledgable ladies leading from the front. I've worked with these ladies for 15 years and couldn't be more pleased.

On your other post I linked to a blog concerning my 'rehab' dog Ricco. Though never cruelly treated he was owned by a guy who just didn't have enough clues, and the stars aligned last November, when the guy phoned me asking if I would take the dog from him as he wasn't coping, the dog stressed him out, couldn't manage the dog etc. Though it was too soon for comfort after losing my big man Jet, I recognised the opportunity to get a good dog away from a well-meaning but ignorant owner, so I agreed to take him on. Initially it was with a view to rehoming him but once I realised how little schooling he'd had (exactly none because, having spent $1000 on a pedigree pup he wouldn't then spend $70 on evening puppy school classes) it was clear he'd have to stay for a lot longer than intended. Then the guy returned on New Year's eve wanting his dog back but I wouldn't let him go. In the best interests of the dog I felt I had no option but to stand my ground and keep the dog with me. I'll get him up to speed eventually but the process really is like teaching old dogs new tricks.

He's a big handsome larrikin, though not a particularly good example of his breed - his conformation is wrong in a number of ways/places, but he's got a lovely gentle nature and is excellent with kids and other dogs, though cats remain fair game. I'm tempted to say that he's 100% German Shepherd and 50% Goofball (

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Well, the high places have been daunting me thanks to some injuries and other issues. Will be finding out if there is a "fix" shortly.

Look- it's trying to think!

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I'm sorry to hear the news. He's gone to dog heaven :(

Slipknot watches My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic

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Here's hoping!

Look- it's trying to think!

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