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Mac


westiemum
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My beloved Mac, my heart dog went to the Bridge on 20/11/2015 at 6.20 pm, in my arms and I'm finally able to write this - almost two months after he left.

You were imported as puppy from a UK breeder by a notorious SA puppy farmer, probably sometime in early 2000. How unlucky that you wound up in a concrete run in the middle of nowhere, freezing in winter and boiling in summer, 2 hours from Adelaide, valued only for your reproductive ability. Little did we know how our paths would cross some years later - and how happy we both would be that we found each other!

We first met on Monday 13 March 2006 - Adelaide Cup Day - at your foster parents place in the Adelaide Hills who became my very good friends and your Godparents. You were a goofy friendly westie who immediately snuggled into my lap and I fell instantly in love. It was purely by chance that I found out about you through a work colleague who after I was early for a work meeting (unheard of!) and we talked, flipped me an email about 'some dogs that need homes'. So I replied not expecting anything to come of it. Little did I know at that time that your foster Dad had chosen my email from the many he received from people interested in adopting you - and I still marvel that he chose me to be your new Mum. He said I was the only one who asked any questions!! (How could I not!). You came for a two week trial on Friday 17 March 2006 and of course you never left - it was love at first sight. You were 6 and I was 45 - and so ready to fall in love again!

You had your challenges - bad teeth and breath that could clear a room. Badly matted coat and fleas. Your face stained brown from untreated suppurating ear infections that must have been so painful. We gradually got that all under control. Then later that year, running across an oval at Ocean Grove in Victoria - our first road trip together - you suddenly started limping - you had blown your ACL - which your favourite vet repaired on our return to Adelaide. Then as often happens, 6 months later from memory you blew your second ACL which we repaired as well - but unfortunately that repair failed and we went in again with a specialist repair with a visiting surgeon - who became your go to 'repairman'! We used to laugh that between him and our regular vet they had basically rebuilt you!

Some years later your 'personal' specialist surgeon and repairman also performed a full left ear ablation to deal with an absolutely immovable pseudomonas infection - and despite being newly deaf, the difference that seemed to make to your life was huge. A happier, more playful, obviously painfree Mac emerged if that's possible. My beautiful boy was even more beautiful!

Then as a gorgeous 13 year old, at 11 pm on Sunday 23 June 2013, the same specialist vet performed an emergency laryngeal tie-back when your vocal cords paralysed and closed your airway. I cried tears of happiness when I got you back as a new dog the following Tuesday - again the difference your special 'repairman' made to your life was spectacular. As an older dog you slowed down but still loved going to the park in the Macmobile (thanks Perse!) and pottering around, sniffing the pee-mail and rolling in the grass.

Then your eyesight started failing as well as being deaf. You also developed arthritis and canine dementia, at the end often getting caught in corners and behind furniture. I learned to place my bed close enough to my bedside table so you couldn't get caught in the first place! Then gradually your back legs failed you - and in early November 2015 I had to hold up your back end to toilet for the first time and help you up when your back end collapsed - and I knew the time was coming. But it was your beloved Grandma's birthday on 6 November and you were holding up - so we made plans to return you to God on 20 November. It was a peaceful and loving day but my heart broke. You still looked so good - but had lost so much function that I knew it was time. Your Grandma and Godparents were with you as you passed very quietly and peacefully. My great comfort is that you are pain free in God's arms and we'll have eternity together.

In the meantime, I so miss you my gorgeous funny little man - snuggling up under my chin across my chest in the evenings, snoring on the pillow next to me on my bed, strutting around in your Crows jumper as if you knew you were their number one fan, galloping down the hallway following Sarah and and Andy, sitting up like Jacky on the front seat of the car, rolling on the freshly cut grass, growling at Andy, sniffing Sarah's bottom, stealing blue cheese, gnawing bones on the lawn with precious few teeth, wolfing your meals down (you were never fussy!), accepting admiring pats at the coffee shop, road trips and your perfect behaviour at B and B's all over South Australia, sitting on my lap for hours and snuggling with your Godfather on your last day. The house is very empty without you.

I'll never forget the feel off your fur against my face and looking into your beautiful, thoughtful brown eyes. Farewell my lovely - the most faithful loving being I've ever known. Look after Chance, our NY labrador friend who joined you last week and all our other friends who you've joined. I was so blessed to be your Mum. Until we meet again. xxx

 

The first time I ever saw you... it was love at first sight you gorgeous goofball!

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And in your prime in July 2009 just before your tenth birthday:

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Edited by westiemum
To fix mixed font size after DOL migration
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And the day you died - and took a piece of my heart with you... see you again my beautiful little man.

At the park on 20 November 2015, sniffing the air and looking heavenwards...

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And a last snuggle with your beloved Godfather, the hour before you returned to God...

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Edited by westiemum
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What a beautiful tribute to Mac.

I followed his story during his last few months as it sounded just like how my heart dog was in the end , so I knew how you were feeling.

:cry:

You were such a lucky little Westie to have found your devoted Mum.

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I was only thinking about him this morning WM

I am lucky enough to be reminded fairly regularly of this tender love story, because there is a man in the neighbourhood (don’t know where he lives) who walks two Westies. They always bring a smile to my face and make me think of WM and her family.

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Oh, I'm sorry for your loss Westiemum. What a handsome man.

As for leaving a hole - if it helps, I like to think that Loki didn't leave a hole, he filled one that I didn't even know I had. Perhaps Mac has filled that hole for you too.

When you are sorrowful

look again inside your heart

and you shall see that in truth

you are weeping for that

which has been a delight

- Kahlil Gibran

:kissbetter:

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What a beautiful gorgeous boy was Mac. Your post is very special. What a life, what a story, so much adventure and treatment you went through together. I am so sorry for his history before he met you, and for your loss, the hole they leave we feel so much. You gave him the best years of his life - wonderful beautiful years.

He 'looks' in such good shape - such a stunning boy even in Nov. And a real handsome cutie in each photo.

Once in my life, I was so grief-stricken I swore I would never have dogs again. Then I realized that the joy of every moment with them is worth the gutwrenching heartbroken grief we feel when they go to the rainbow bridge.

Big hugs.

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So very sorry for your loss.

This club is a very special club, we dog lovers are all in it together, the pain is very raw, they break your heart.

Take comfort in all the precious memories you have, such a wonderful life, who can ask for more.

Hugs to you.

Ray

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I am so very sorry for your loss westiemum. I don't come into the Rainbow Bridge forum often as it breaks my heart. I also cannot read your tribute to Mac as I know it will have me in tears. Your love for each other had no boundaries, there is no better life a dog could ask for.

Remember, Mac is not gone, he is sleeping in your heart.

Sending you big hugs at this difficult time.

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Oh Westiemum, I'm so sorry that you've lost your darling Mac :cry: It was lovely to read his story and oh my, what a lucky, lucky boy he was to have found you! I know how heartbreaking it is to lose one of your special ones, my thoughts are with you :heart: Mac was a beautiful boy, I was very glad to have met him. I absolutely love Ruffles quote :heart:

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Thank you all very much. As much as I adore my remaining two westies I'll always miss my first boy. he was indeed very special. He went through so much as a puppy farm dog and rescue - and was still a really lovely natured boy. RIP my little man. hug.gif

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