The End of an Era
Jessie has been part of the family since I gave in to the argument, “Phantom is lonely, and he needs a friend.” She had been surrendered to the RSPCA by her family who were moving and unable to take her. She seemed like the most likely of the dogs available at the RSPCA and also the ACT Dog Pound, especially as a vet had told me to get a different gender from the current dog. Phantom visited her at the RSPCA where they ignored each other which I was told was a good sign. Once came home they got on well together to the extent that a couple of weeks ago they both were eating from the same side of the cat bowl.
Jessie aged about 9 or 10
Jessie was a cross between a Staffordshire terrier and a Labrador. She had the appetite of a Labrador and the protective instincts of the staffie in not wanting another female on her territory as we and her “cousin” from Sydney were to discover. She liked to have a bit of a tussle every now and then and would initiate it by getting Phantom by the neck. He would comply by rolling over they would have a lovely time rolling around for a few minutes. She ensured that Phantom knew he was not “Top Dog” by scraping him on a leg when he was curled up on a bed she wanted. Being a gentleman, he always arose and gave it to her, moving to a seemingly less desirable bed. She enjoyed sleeping anywhere she wanted, sun baking, running around the back yard with Phantom and a visit from Son No. 2 when they would indulge in some special Jessie and “boy” play. Together they were a pair of happy, even tempered, relaxed dogs rarely barking unless it was to issue a “possum alert” about the possums traversing the power lines in the back yard or in previous years Jessie would run around the back yard barking like a mad thing when she sensed thunder. Fortunately her hearing diminished and she missed out on the bulk of thunder during the last couple of years.
We're having fun
Jessie developed arthritis some years ago and also liver and gastrointestinal problems. She managed well and each time I thought the end was near she’d demonstrate a whole new level of energy. However, she was uninterested in eating on Wednesday evening and again on Thursday and combined with restlessness and other symptoms I decided it was time. Fortunately Son No 2 was on holidays and able to drive us to the vet and to dig a grave for her.
Phantom loves holding a lead & here he has Jessie the week before when she was ready for a trip to the vet for an arthritis injection
Phantom doesn’t seem to have noticed that his friend is absent. While he likes to meet dogs during walks he is focused on human interaction at home and at the moment he always has a human available. Think it might be rather different if he was left home alone for hours on end.