Bugger!

[Bill Rutter]

Not my best of days. We have known for a little while now that my oldest dog, Giz, a Staffie bitch was not long for this world. She has been going blind, getting less mobile and subject to ever more odd behaviour but this morning she came in from the garden limping from yet another minor stumble. It pained me to do it, but I had to own up to the plain fact that her time had finally come. So, at 4:10pm we arrived at the vets and the deed was done. I am gutted - she was my pal. My other Staffie, Ellie, is lost at the moment. Giz was a rescue dog and, out of courtesy, we rang the nice lady that arranged for us to adopt her to give her the news. The result? We are off tomorrow to examine the possibilty of rehoming a 15-month old boy Staffie called Levi. If it all works out and the two dogs get on...........

Goodnight Giz, God bless and thanks for ten wonderful years.

[squirrelciv]

Sad news Bill Hope the new mutt works out for you though.

[guest7]

Sorry to hear your news bill, that's a big old sad empty space in your house I'm guessing.

Cheers
GC

[themoudie]

Aye Bill,

Our condolences to you and yours.

Hope Ellie returns and she and the wee feller can get on.

Staffies are my daughters pals, but with a psycho queen moggie adopting her, one wee beasty at a time is plenty.

Kat and I will be with you Bill.

Bill and Kat.

[robG]

Those of us who have canine chums all know that this will happen ,but its the hardest thing in the world to do whats best .I'm sitting here with Sam my German Shepard for company and he is the best of chums to all of us , but I know one day I'll have to do the same as you .


I'll raise a glass for you both ,

                                 Bill and Giz .

[002]

Having had a Staffy for 10 years and a Staff/Doberman for 15yrs plus cats before them.
Also had to take them for their last trip I really do know what you are going through.
It really is a big loss.

All the best Bill.


Jethro

[Bill Rutter]

Thank you all. It's nearly 3:30am and I am just off to work - and there was no lump of fur at the bottom of our bed for me to "accidently" tread on on the way to the bathroom, bless her. You are all correct though,  in that we know what is coming but it doesn't make it any easier. But this sad time is easily outweighed by all those fun years. I will let you know what happens with Levi, the prospective new addition.
Thank you all again,
T'other Bill.

[Andy M]

Sad news.

I've been there three times now, it doesn't get any better. Having introduced Gooner our Alsation-Collie cross to two cats I bet the two dogs will be just fine. Let 'em get on with their sniffing and looning round on neutral territory and they'll be mates in no time. Glad to hear you are trying to take a rescue dog, it's so sad when you look at the place Gooner and the cats came from and see how many they have at this time of year.

Andy

[Bill Rutter]

Yes Andy, Dawn and I want to go down the rescue dog route again. We have been to see Levi. He is a lovely dog but has issues with food in that feeding times could easily end up in a fight so, unfortunately, we have decided to look elsewhere. We popped down to our local Dogs Trust and have found a very friendly young Staffie bitch who has yet to be assessed. Could be the one. There is also the cutest of Staffie/Jack Russell crosses called "Tigger". She is a bundle of fun, but is earmarked for a new home soon. If the prospective new owners don't come back we will be informed. There is no rush. The next dog has to be right for not just us but our little Ellie.

[Andy M]

You can't save 'em all. Better to get one that's going to have a nice happy life with the whole family. Someone who's not got other pets will take Levi I'm sure and he'll be better off for it too.

Andy

[002]

And you got to be careful with Staffs !
When we got ours(Jasper),in the early 80s mind you so not quite as popular then.
We had an old cat....She WAS the Boss...beat 7 kinds out of him.
He hated cats but never bothered with Sooty,chase all the others in the neighbourhood.
When she went,he pined for her.
When Jasper was getting on we got a pup,Staff/Doberman cross.
Great,played together,quite rough on occasions.Slept and ate together.
But when Beezer got to 18months old all hell broke loose.
The old Staff must have felt threatened,wanted to make sure He was still top dog.
Blood and Snot everywhere.Couldnt keep them in the same room.Difficult in a small council house.
If youve ever seen a Staff fight its Bloody frightening.
The old Staff trained the younger I'm sure of it !  Two dogs together was a bit difficult,might have been different with a bitch.

Jethro

[Bill Rutter]

Yes, got to be a bit careful although with Ellie being a bitch it is much easier for us as she can have a pal of either sex. Two dogs? Oh no.....they'd be fighting over who's the boss and you are right Jethro, a Staffie fight isn't a pleasant sight. Our two had a bit of a "set-to" a few years back and just a little nip on Giz's hind quarters ended up adding £500 to my credit card bill (actually it was £250 x 2, as Giz undid all the stitches so it all had to be done again  ) Funny isn't it? Here I was the other day complaining of how much it was going to cost my to get two of my teeth filled, and yet I never for one moment begrudged paying for Giz to get better.

[Bill Rutter]

We've had a look at another nice dog but it didn't work out well when the two dogs met - a bit of a kerfuffle over a l-e-a-d showed that May, the prospective new dog, was a far too possesive. Our Ellie took it all in her stride, she didn't really give a monkey's. I think, seeing how Elllie is coping on her own, that we will remain a one-dog family for now. I love my dogs, but they are a tie - I have not had a decent holiday in years - so perhaps in my later years I will get another, who knows? Thanks again for your kind thoughts everyone.