Yesterday, I had to have pts, my 15 yr old Jack Russell, Shifty. We got him the day after my Mum's funeral, 15 years ago, having lost my Labrador, Chance, the day before my Mum died, both of a stroke.
Shifty soon lived up to his name- after the Irish rogue relation in the comedy series, 'Bread'- and he and Debbie's kitten, Asti, kept us very entertained, although students were horrified at first, seeing him dragging her round, often with her whole head in his mouth, until the realised that as soon as he dropped her, she went back for more! They played for hours, and as Debbie said in the other thread, we wasted rather too many hours watching them!
When he was two, he was kicked in the head by one of our horses, we dont know which one, and I will never forget Debbie and our neighbour Catherine, carrying him up the track from the field, unconscious, blood pouring from his nostrils. I thought that he was dead. He still had a pulse and was breathing, very shallowly, so I rushed him to the vets. Miraculously he pulled through, even though he was unconscious for two days and had severe brain stem swelling. But sadly, it changed his personality, whereby you could have trusted him with even a tiny child, and although fine with us, if a stranger went to stroke him, he would let them and then snap as they took their hand away. He would then look totally bewildered as though he realised he shouldnt have done it, but didnt know why. So we tried to keep him away from the yard when we had people coming, but if he got out on the lane at all, he terrorised joggers and cyclists! We fenced in everywhere we could!!
When Becky came to live here, with her two large German Shepherds, if anyone came to the gate, they would shrink back seeing the two big dogs. I used to say, dont worry about the GSD's, they are soft as lights, but DON'T touch the little Jack Russell!!
I will never forget the first time Shifty met Revous, Bec's bigger GSD, and I thought there would be a scrap. Shifty was ratting in a stable, and Revous went in, I thought, after him. I heard a yelping, but soon realised that it wasnt Shifty- one large GSD hurtled out of the stable, squawking with fright, a snapping pair of JR jaws up his rear end!! It was so funny to watch!
As Shifty got into his teens, he seemed to get short spells when he was quite vacant, as though he was going a bit senile. But was still very happy in himself and also changed back to the little dog who loved a fuss from everyone, not just the family. So odd that he did change again, but it made his last years easier. From also being a fussy eater, he became a total pig, just like my Labrador Noeni, and would eat almost anything!
So he had a good innings, rather longer than we thought he would given his injuries, but my flat feels very empty today without him. These are some of the last pics I took of him, this last week. RIP old man, hope there are plenty of rats to chase where you are now.
