Dedicated to those that pay the ultimate price so others can live in peace.

Extract from

 The Shoes of the Fisherman

By

Morris West 

….Yesterday I met a whole man.

It is a rare experience but always an illuminating and ennobling one. It costs so much to be a full human being that there are very few who have the enlightenment or the courage to pay the price.

One has to abandon altogether the search for security and reach out to the risk of living with both arms. One has to embrace the world like a lover and yet demand no easy return of love.

One has to accept pain as a condition of existence. One has to court doubt and darkness as the cost of knowing. One needs a will, stubborn in conflict but apt always to the total acceptance of every consequence of living and dying.



Sadly and with a heavy heart Millie had to be returned to the rescue centre

As a carer for my 88year old mother who can only sit in an armchair all day and not be able to move we decided that as we used to have a much loved dog it was a good idea to get a small one which would help to alleviate her boredom and constant thoughts of pain and to enable me to get out for three half hour walks a day up the local hills.
As a continuation of the previous post Millie finally ate her food after me worrying she was not eating.
Mum was made up with her but didn't like the way Millie kept jumping up on the furniture which was no big deal to me as I just kept picking her up and putting in her new bed which was all part of training.
Come 10:00pm mums diabetic blood sugars were raised significantly along with her blood pressure which all indicated she was getting stressed and at her age that's not good.

Plans were to put Millie in the kitchen with her bed but as soon as I shut the door she started whining and scratching at the door. After half an hour of trying without success I decided to put her bed in my bedroom as all she wanted was to be with company and not be left on her own. 1:45am Sunday Millie start to whine and sat up in her bed obviously just wanting reassurance so I gently petted her and she raised her paw for me to hold and licked my arm.After a couple of minutes she settled down and not a peep was heard until I got up and let her out into the garden at 7:00am.

Normally I check on mum before getting her breakfast but had decided that Millie had to have her walk first so out we went up the local hills for half an hour which she loved and what a beautiful morning it was.Getting back I let her go in the garden and watched as she tried to jump over the pond,yes you've guessed in she went.She scrambled out and looked very pleased with herself . I got the hose out and washed her down with no problem at all,how she loved being dried with a towel.

Went to see mum and she was very bad in bed, the excitement and stress had got to her which we had not expected at all.It was at this point that I decided mums health had to come first and that Millie would have to be returned to the rescue centre.I rang them up and they said it was ok to bring her back they would find room for her.Getting into the car park at the centre and opening the boot Millie knew where she was, she sat in the boot with her head lowered in despondancy as I took her name tag off.

I'm afraid I was just choked and very dewey eyed as I handed her back as I still am.I feel I have let a lovely animal down which I have never done but I know I have done the right thing as a carer.

Mum is still in bed (Tuesday) and hope that she will improve to get back in her chair.

So if I could make a plea to anybody who would like a 6 year old Beagle called Millie please contact
http://www.appledown.co.uk/ and enquire, I think she would love to live on a narrowboat with the freedom and constant company of a couple who would give her all the love she needs and would give back double the love shown.
She has no problem with children and takes no notice of other dogs and would make a great companion for someone.It is important to stress that she does not like being left alone due to her previous owners.So if you can help please do.

Woof Woof Woof Howl Woof.Dog speak for hello I'm Millie a 6 yr old Beagle

Millie 2 hours after leaving the rescue centre.

Millie is a 6 year old Beagle that has been at the http://www.appledown.co.uk/ rescue centre for two weeks,she was owned by a couple who had to give her away due to work commitments.They had to leave her indoors all day and wondered why she chewed everything and went mad at people passing the windows,they had tried pulling the blinds down but she wrecked 3 sets as she could still hear people passing.

When I opened the car boot to take her home she jumped in and would not get out as I wanted to give her a walk around the field before we left,so I had to lift her out as she laid on her back.She was constantly pulling on the lead so I shortend it so she was level with my legs,this helped a bit but not much.It was a calm journey home of about 7 miles with a few whines from the rear.

She doesn't seem to know what a toy is and is unresponsive when her name is called so I think a bit of tender loving care is called for.We went for a half hour walk tonight so she could do her buisiness and not too far as I think her leg muscles need strengthening up as well as mine but she still has not eaten although has drunk plenty.I rang the centre and they said don't worry she will eat when she's ready,so we will wait and see.