Such a sad start to 2018 our beautiful Cocker Spaniel Byron passed away on Sunday.
Before I explain about Byron there is a little story to tell about another new addition to the family. His name is Chip and we have had him about 6 months.
Whilst sitting in my craft room I looked out the window and saw this dog looking up at me. Went outside to have a look at his collar and see if there was any info about him. No collar and one very timid little pooch. We fed him, let him stay in the utility room overnight and the next day we took him to the vets to see if he was chipped. Nothing, so we took him to the dog rescue home where they would keep him for a week before rehoming. When we were walking away I looked back at him and his little face looked so sad (it was like he knew that he was being abandoned again). My heart melted and I told the girl that if he wasn’t claimed could they give us a ring first.
Andrew and I talked it over and if he wasn’t claimed we decided to keep the little … Heinz 57. The name Chip came about because he wasn’t chipped (Andrew’s sense of humour). We knew it was going to be a challenge but what the heck.
Now I truly believe that things happen in life for a reason and I think Chip was sent to us because Byron didn’t have long for this world.
Byron would have been 13 this year, he came to us when he was 6 years old (another rescue). From the time he entered our home our dear little Penny Black (another cocker) bonded with him perfectly. He was adorable, loveable, fearless but he could also be naughty.
Penny and Byron were complete opposites in every way. She is very timid where he was fearless she will not let us out of her sight whereas Byron would go missing in the woods, she very rarely barks but Byron would bark at everything.
He taught Penny some very bad habits … like jumping into the river whilst walking, running into the woods and even leaving our garden on their own but despite all of this we loved him to bits.
Byron had been ill for some time but with lots of trips to the vets we were still able to give him a pain free life. Bless his little heart whilst walking he would still try to keep up with Penny but couldn’t, she was a little gem and waited for him to catch up before she trotted off again.
Who would know by Sunday afternoon that our little sweetheart would be gone. He took a turn for the worse and finally found peace even though he has left so many broken hearts behind.
Penny is very quiet and keeps looking for her soulmate but at least we have Chip plus I am hoping she will form a strong bond with him as she did with Byron.
Farewell Byron we are going to miss you to bits but you will never be forgotten.
Byron with Penny.