On the 10 September 2004, I became the owner of Buckthorn Duke a 9 Year old black and white greyhound. He and his sister had been handed to the Rugby and Coventry Retired Greyhound Trust two years before when their owner could no longer look after them. Sari Pearce, the owner of Rugby and Coventry RGT, was able to find a new home for Duke's sister but for some reason Duke was continually passed over.
I met Duke and fell in love with the old fellow. He was wary of people and did not have pretty markings - black and white head with a "parting", a black patch on the right side of his body and a small black patch at the base of his tail. He needed someone and so did I.
He has been my companion for the last four years. He was there for me when mother had a massive stroke and became bedridden. He listened to all my fears and rages as I looked after her. He was there when she died and I was close to a breakdown with loss. He was there as I had to go through my parents’ belongings and the trauma of selling their house (our home as I had moved back there). He was there through all the disruption of our having to find a new home and move a hundred miles from our friends, here to South Yorkshire. He was there helping me meet new people here - many people will talk to a dog owner or the dog.
The last six months he had aged. He still wanted to go for his walks but not too far. He had lost the wonderful almost equine trot and plodded. He still enjoyed his food particularly if there was some home made gravy. He still told me off if I took too long getting dressed - it was delaying his walk. But his back legs sometimes failed a bit.
On Sunday, 28 September 2008, we went for our short walk as usual but midmorning he tried to get up and his legs were no longer under his control. He managed to get to his feet, but his eyes were staring and twitching and he held his head to one side. Stroke!
I managed to get him to the emergency vet, half an hour away, but the news was bad and just before lunch time I
I met Duke and fell in love with the old fellow. He was wary of people and did not have pretty markings -
He has been my companion for the last four years. He was there for me when mother had a massive stroke and became bedridden. He listened to all my fears and rages as I looked after her. He was there when she died and I was close to a breakdown with loss. He was there as I had to go through my parents’ belongings and the trauma of selling their house (our home as I had moved back there). He was there through all the disruption of our having to find a new home and move a hundred miles from our friends, here to South Yorkshire. He was there helping me meet new people here -
The last six months he had aged. He still wanted to go for his walks but not too far. He had lost the wonderful almost equine trot and plodded. He still enjoyed his food particularly if there was some home made gravy. He still told me off if I took too long getting dressed -
On Sunday, 28 September 2008, we went for our short walk as usual but midmorning he tried to get up and his legs were no longer under his control. He managed to get to his feet, but his eyes were staring and twitching and he held his head to one side. Stroke!
I managed to get him to the emergency vet, half an hour away, but the news was bad and just before lunch time I
had to make the decision to put this wonderful old dog out of his distress.
I am proud to tell you that for the short period of four years Buckthorn Duke was my companion.
I am proud to tell you that for the short period of four years Buckthorn Duke was my companion.
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