my dog

[col craddock]

My dog is nearly 18 years old. Anybody watched Heartbeat ten years ago<Claude Greengrass's dog Alfred is a spitting image.He wont be around for too many more years I dont know what Ill do when the time comes

[Louisa 69]

Just enjoy the time you have left with Alfred.

[funnygirl]

Bury him!!!

[FKNelectro]

nearly 18? what kind of dog is it?
18 is very old for a dog, normally they live for 12-14 years dont they?

[col craddock]

DOB November 24th 1990. hes a lurcher/ labrador/ bedlington hybrid and absolutely gorgious..........if somewhat greying now!

[Denise_uk]

Bless him. Is he managing reasonably well for his age?

I had a beautiful long coated German Shepherd bitch. She wasn't all that old but I loved her so much I'd already decided that when her time came I was going to ask our vet to come to the house to put her to sleep so she could cuddle up on the sofa with me and fall asleep with her head on my lap. I never got the chance though - against my better judgement the family talked me into kennelling her for the first time in her life when she was 8 so we could all go on holiday and she died of gastric torsion after 3 days in the kennels. It was 4 years ago. I've never forgiven myself and never will.

[col craddock]

Thanks denise yes hes doing just fine if generally a lot slower.You know,shorter walks less play time, reduced sniffing time, general lethagy, sounds a bit like me.....

[puss_boots]

One of my cats is 18 and although he is a bit doddery on his legs he is fine and dandy. I cannot imagine a time without him, it will be a very sad day when he pops his clogs.

[Denise_uk]

lol. I know the feeling too! It sounds as though Alfred has a good life Col. Enjoy every day with him and make his life happy. It helped me so much knowing that Amber had a happy life with us. x

[bigmamma]

Oh , bless , that's some loved dog you have there . It's always hard to think what you will do when the dreaded time comes , I have a dog and hate to think of not having her around one day. : xxx

[PatriciaH]

I used to think people were cracked when they said the dog is like a member of the family, now im older ( tongue in cheek here ) i know how they feel ,
i think dogs that look like alfred are gorgeously cute... hope hes got a good while longer with you col

[rosiewesti]

Alfred was a great looking dog and character if I remember correctly!

18 years old is grand going, I know you love him very much and he loves you too, this is what you have to remember all the good times and his funny little ways - no matter what you will never forget him.

We had a cross Labrador/great dane a big cuddly lump! that crashed into everything, well his tail did most of the damage! - you could be watching TV and Donald would get up wagging his tail and opps there goes grandmas vase!!
Sadly he had to be put to sleep at 11 years old and to this day I will never forgive myself for making that decision although I know deep down I made the right one.

You have probably guessed by my user name what my dog is called and what breed?
lol

[Denise_uk]

Please don't laugh folks because I'm sure some people will think this is completely pathetic, but if I had the time over again I'd have Amber's ashes made into a diamond:

www.lifegem.com

I'm sure there'd be a company in the UK that would do pets. As I said, please don't laugh. x

[Denise_uk]

Also, meant to say to rosie - you made the RIGHT decision for Donald. True love is being able to do that and put your own needs second to theirs rather than see them suffer because it's too painful for you to make that decision. You're a TRUE animal lover rosie. x

[rosiewesti]

Why would we laugh? I think that's a great idea if you can afford it. Its a lovely idea.

[puss_boots]

Just had a mental pictures of col craddock wearing a necklace made ou of his dogs teeth.

[Denise_uk]

My husband is horribly scathing about the whole diamond thing, then factor in that 'it's only a dog', and you have his opinion in a nutshell! I'm going to write into my will that I'm made into a diamond just to pee him off! lol. Mind you, knowing my luck he'll pawn me!!!!!!!!! Hahaha!

[col craddock]

I am surprised and humbled by your responses.This has been serious sentimentality for a short time and I appriciate it a great deal.
Now CB returns to its normal inane levels Oh hello legend.....
Rosiewesti When I was a child we had a cairn terrier, cou;dnt afford a Westie ,mores the pitty

[rosiewesti]

Cairn Terriers are wicked!
Yes my dog is a westi called Rosie!!!
We also have a parsons jack russell called...wait for it... Tinkerbelle Fairydust!!! (Named by our 18 year old daughter) although we call her tinks or stinky! - she is such a scardy cat!
We recently lost a westi at age 15 although it was very sad and I was extremely upset we had only had him for 4 years.
I dread the day Rosie leaves me, she is like a little polar bear all fat, soft and cuddly!! (well not too fat - just middle age spread - but then don't we all!)

[shaneystar2]

My last dog before Shaney was a cairn terier ..his name was Mickey ..he lived to the grand old age of 17 . My dear old Shaney (GS cross) who I had put to sleep last July ( age 13 )is in the front room in his casket .I still say goodnight to him .Soppy lot we are !!