04/08/2024
Long Read:
Last month I had an article included in the inaugural Zine published by LOOP Art and Photo Space.
The Zine sold out so I'd like to re-print it here for you.
ANGUS
It struck me the other day as I was remembering the many dogs I’ve shared my life with, that searching the internet for a prospective dog to adopt is rather like online dating. You find a site, fill in the search criteria you feel is relevant to the future success of your relationship, press enter, and come up with nothing because it’s far too restrictive and nothing matches. You end up broadening the search from teacup to monster and end up with many potential matches (in itself very sad) whether they are appropriate or not.
The first photograph of Angus I set my eyes on had me falling head over heels with this scruffy black and white stray with a huge grin. A bit like Tramp in the Disney film Lady and The Tramp.
There was a limited back story, but I did know that he was busted out of the Mildura Pound where he was languishing on Death Row at the age of around 18 months. He was now in Woodend and looking for his forever home, which of course, was going to be with me!
A date was set for a meet and greet. (this was 16 years ago, so no formal checks were done) and I bundled my old girl, Kia, into the Ute and off we went. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.
I had a full on Oh.My.God. moment when I first saw him. He was, indeed, black and white and there was no denying that he was scruffy, but his coat was dull and dry, he was as skinny as a rake, stank to high heaven and was bouncing off the walls of the pen like he was on speed.
Our first walk was a drag up the road and back with me hanging on for grim death and I narrowly missed a spray when his bowels exploded on the pavement, honestly how could I take him home?
But I did, with all the windows down trying not to gag from the stench. My old girl was not impressed.
However, that first memorable journey was the start of a long and perfect relationship, for all 3 of us.
He and Kia became inseparable, causing all kinds of mischief and nearly sending me insane. They’d go on adventures without me, a clear reason why he ended up in the pound, and would return home filthy, happy, and sometimes covered in leeches!
We travelled to Outback Queensland several times for work, where he won the hearts of all who met him. Swam in dams and rivers and camped in the middle of nowhere – the Back of Bourke to be exact!
With Kia in her dotage, he watched over her and kept guard in her final hours, never leaving her side. Taking to his kennel for a week after she crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
Self appointing himself as Master Meeter and Greeter of all dogs when I started my own business as a Professional Dogwalker, he came everywhere with me, enjoying hours and hours of adventures. He was in his element.
As the years crept by and the black in his fur began to turn grey, he became a star of a short film and a tv commercial. He was a consummate professional and was humble with his newly found fame.
We welcomed several new dogs into the household, but he was most dedicated to the tiny, rescued puppy that found her way into our arms from a particularly unpleasant situation. Taking her under his scruffy wing he taught her that life wasn’t all that scary and there were people and dogs out there that were friendly, fun, and caring.
The devil also taught her to chase the postie…but we won’t dwell on that!
When he broke his leg at the age of 13, following an altercation with one of our younger dogs over a freaking Cheezel, I knew we were going to be on borrowed time, and when we had to make the hard to decision to amputate 12 months later after he developed osteosarcoma, it was a no brainer.
Facing the challenge head on he was hopping up and down the front steps 2 days after coming home from hospital, he even came out with me to join the walking pack again. It was like he was relieved to be free of the useless leg he’d been living with.
I knew there were some nodules in his lungs so the possibility of the cancer having spread were very real, but we chose to embrace life with everything we had.
We met other tripod dogs, and shared stories. This really helped me to focus on the good things in his life rather than get emotionally bogged down with the knowledge his time with me was now finite.
When he went off his food and opted to stay in bed, I knew we were at the end. He’d bounce back for a couple of days then fall heavily in a heap. He struggled to do the things he always loved, and he would look at me with such understanding and knowing on his face.
Our cats sat with him, and our 17-year-old Dowager Duchess pug cross lay with him. His protégé pup was quiet.
I watched him fade away with such overwhelming grief but knew that he’d had a life many dogs can only dream about.
The day he crossed the Rainbow Bridge was so painful for me but a perfect, and thankful release for him. Free from pain forever and remembered with so much love by so many.
Rest in Peace sweet boy: Angus 2007 - 2021
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