Sadly this year saw the passing of Pepper's
son, Anthony and Bo's
much loved Shar Pei, Golly who contracted Leukaemia.
Golly
2002 - 2007
Dear Jenny,
I really don't know how to start this letter for you, my face is flooded
in tears and will be till the end of this writing. When we got Golly
16.1.2003 and we took him to our home I actually was afraid of him. I
never had a dog in my life and didn't know how to treat him and be with
him. I slowly realised that he was like a little baby and lost my fear
of him. I started to love him more and more every day and we deeply
bonded to each other when I was sick for a year and he always was there
for me. Golly, my little boy, was an adorable, gentle, happy, caring,
lovable, playful, devoted, protective, . . . boy whom we loved so much
and miss every day so terribly. He couldn`t control his excitement or
hide his feelings for Anthony and me but that was what made him so
lovable. Golly had different relationship with Anthony, they were ,,best
friends,, and with me ,, I was his mummy,, who let him to do what he
wanted because when he gazed into my eyes, he always melted my heart. I
never knew that a dog can take such a huge part of my life and heart.
Golly`s days normally started sitting next to my bedside or Anthony`s
wanting to go for his walk (walky, walky or weewee). Even I was tired I
always got up for him as I felt guilty to stay longer in bed when my boy
needed to go out. He loved being in car. He always was so proud to sit
next to me and had to see everything what was going on. When he got
tired, he just lied down next to me and was peacefully sleeping with his
paw in my hand and I just slowly stroked him while I drove my car. He
loved to be off the lead when we took him for walk. As soon as I let him
from the car that was it. He run away to say hello to other people and
dogs. He was always showing off in front of us and messing around and
showing he was the big boy. If I called any other dog ,,darling,, or
stroke them he got jealous of
them and was gently fighting with them. He
never bite any other dog even he was bitten so many times. Sometimes he
didn't want to come back to me because he knew I would put him back on
his lead and he started to have his mad moment like running big circle
after circle after circle around him till he got so tired that he could
hardly walk back to my car. It was so funny. He made me a laugh. As long
as he had his long walk I knew he was happy, relief and tired. I loved
him so much that I sorted out his passport that he could go with us on
holiday in car. I was supposed to pick up his passport same time when he
got ill. He had even his pet first aid box and RAC travel box for water
and food. Anthony always said I`m mad and spoiling Golly.
When we got home he normally first went to look for Anthony and if he
wasn't in Golly went on his bed. He loved his bed. I made it for him as
comfortable as I could. His favourite place at home was balcony. He was
like little child excited about anything he could see or move. Our
balcony faces to river and he got mad about ducks swimming there.
Everytime Anthony or I went out he went straight on balcony because he
knew he could see us there to go or coming back. When was sunny day he
loved l
ying there and sunbathing, I was always worried that he could get
too hot and was regularly checking him and made sure that his bottle of
water with his name ,,Golly`s water,, was ready in fridge. He loved it
and he loved his food too. He had a great appetite. Whatever he loved he
knew he would get it again. As soon as I opened his special box with his
treats no matter if he slept or was in other rooms he ran straight to me
and happily waiting for his treat and always taking it on his bed where
he enjoyed it. When I cooked I always had someone sitting next to me,
waiting if there is something for him and he knew that his mummy always
would give him something what he loved.
There was something about new toys when I got for him. He always played
with it all day and as soon as Anthony came back from work Golly had to
bring him and show him his new toy, wanting to play with him. He had his
little box, full of toys, he played with one or all of them. He kept
taking all of them out of box and then running around choosing which one
to play with. It was really funny to look at. He was the happiest boy
when he had both of us in. When one of us wasn't in , he always sat or
lied behind main doors or balcony and waited. As soon as he could hear
somebody is coming he went mental.
He was very clever too. I loved playing with him on our bed. Anthony
didn't like it so we were just doing it when he wasn't in . We had a
good laugh together jumping and playing or I was hiding under duvet and
he couldn't find me. I tried to do it with him when Anthony was in but
he would never do it because he knew Anthony wouldn't allowed him.
Clever little boy.
Golly was very patient but Anthony sometimes was starring at him or
laughing different way what Golly hated then these two started to fight
and play. It was really funny.
He was so special that I was allowed to take him to my work that he
could see my elderly patients. My colleagues called Golly ,,my next of
kin,, because I treated him like my little child. I always told them
when they asked me why I`m so mad about him that Golly gives me
unconditional love and devotion and he was always happy to see me no
matter what that I cannot say about people. And if I would have a big
house I would get for him at least one or two other friends and shar-
peis again.
When Golly got more ill and I took him to vet on Friday I knew there was
a little chance but I still prayed for a miracle that my little boy
would be fine. When vet phoned me and told me about Golly`s condition I
broke down and cried and cried. I picked him up and even he was so
unwell he run straight to me and I could see on his eyes how happy he
was to see me. Next three days we were with him 24 hours a day. It was
strange he slept most of the time on my side but these days he wanted to
be on Anthony`s side so I took a sleeping bag and on side he had Anthony
and on other side me sleeping on carpet with him and making sure that he
was all right. We wanted him to feel how much we loved him and at the
same time we cried and couldn't understand why our little boy have to go
when 4 weeks ago he was still so happy and strong. On Saturday he ate,
he drank , wanted our attention but we knew it was just thanks the
steroids and hoped for miracle. On Sunday was the worst day for him and
we knew we had to let him go. And still my brave little boy when Anthony
got back home from work he stood up and went to greet to the doors. On
Monday Golly went to balcony doors and looked at us like he wanted to go
to his favourite place for the last time. He sat there and I covered him
in one of his blanket and inside just cried and cried because I knew
that it was his last time there. I still don't understand why such a
little precious boy had to go? Why him? He was still just baby and he
should be still here with us and be happy and have loads and loads love
from us. We keep asking these questions every day, some moments I just
broke in tears and want my baby back but I know it wont happen . His mum
Annie would be proud of him. He was the best boy.
Love
Bo
Golly left a huge hole in their lives.
However, fate is a funny thing and not two months later, Blu came into
my life through rescue. For Blu my home was 'last chance saloon'
as he had been rehomed through rescue but for Blu and his new owners it
had not worked out. Blu was on his way to be put to sleep when I
received a call from a rescue coordintor to ask if I could help out.
And what happened next is a story in itself which I will write when I
get the time. However, the long and the short of it is, that Blu
has found his forever home with Anthony and Bo. And..... so far............ so
good.....