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Definition Of A Dog Owning Optimist


ricey
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Hi all,

Hobbes my possible pit bull is now somewhere between 13 and 15 years old. I have had the pleasure of his company for the last 12 years. I was introduced to him when my wife found him with no collar at our local 'off leash' dog park. Intact male, no collar or tags, trying to mount a spayed Staffordshire bull terrier that belonged to a friend of ours. Of course, we had to take him home and try to re-unite him with his owner. We never found his owner, so we adopted the big boof head.

Back then, our vet said that Hobbes was about 3 years old. If the vet was right, Hobbes is now 15 which is 3 years past the usual life expectancy for his breed.

I just renewed his registration for another 3 years which probably entitles me to the 2014 award for "Dog Owner Optimist of the Year". Thing is, apart from his deafness and a touch of doggy senile dementia, Hobbes still carries on like a young pup. If our vet was right about Hobbes' age, I'm betting that he makes it to 18 years old. And I really hope he does......

ricey

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Hi all,

Yes, Hobbes is a much loved member of my human/canine family. We (my lovely wife Jo and I) probably look after our dogs better than we look after ourselves. Me, if I need medical tests or medical stuff, well I might get around to it if or when I have the time and the inclination. Can't be stuffed going to the doctor unless its obviously life threatening. But our dogs....... well that is altogether different. Hobbes has got a tiny limp? Off to the vet! Lizzie's bark sounds a bit hoarse? Vet, here we come! Lulu's scratching at her tail? Hi ho, hi ho, it is off to the vet we go.......

It has been some time since I have prowled on DOL and I can't remember how to post photos. Once I work out how to post photos I will post a few photos of Hobbes; some as a young dog, and some as the grey faced dog he is now. Still magnificent though, with presence and attitude. Still my best dog, ever. Not sure that I will be able to deal well with his passing when that happens. Still not certain that I'd be able to have another dog after him. I'm getting just a touch teary and there is this awkward & inconvenient lump in my throat.

Cheers,

ricey

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Yes, I am back. Troy very kindly turned a bind eye to my decade of indiscretions on DOL. Such a kind man and I will not disappoint him this time.

My Hobbes is getting old quickly, far more quickly than I am ageing. Hobbes is 13 to 15, while I am 58. On the averages I have at least 20 and possibly 30 years left but Hobbes won't have more than 3.

When Hobbes goes, I won't be ready, and I won't be ready for another dog. I will get into a bit of serial dog fostering but not the commitment of another dog.

There is a rescue group here in WA called 'Staffy and Bull Breed Rescue' (they are known as 'SABRE') that specialise in the sort of dog I like and when the time comes I will be putting my hand up.

I love everything about Hobbes; I will finish with a quote from Harlan Ellison's apocalyptic novella "A Boy and his Dog"-

"Do you know what love is? Sure I know; a boy loves his dog".

ricey

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