Saturday 25 April 2015

Dolly - life was a ball.


Dolly the Collie died yesterday, and is now buried in a field next to her Dad.

It was a real shock when I learned that she would no longer come and affectionately greet me when I arrive at my workshop, or sit around on the piles of leaves that I haven't swept up, in the peace and tranquility of a very non-productive working environment.

When she first arrived 12 years ago as a little puppy, I remember being worried that a buzzard circling overhead might carry her off during her first solo exploration of the huge field where she now lies - she was so tiny.

I know she has left a tennis ball for me there, and it's going to be sad to see it when I go out next.

37 comments:

  1. I am so very sorry, Tom. She was a beautiful girl.

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    1. Yes, very pretty - nice personality as well, unlike her sister!

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  3. Very sad. Make sure you look after her ball for her.

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    1. Cue Mr Gray.

      I'm so sorry Tom - animals get under our skin and break our hearts. x

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  4. Poor Dolly. You will no doubt miss talking to her, especially when things were shit, you probably had a good conversation with her.

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    1. Yes. I talked, she listened. Actually, all I said was, "Dolly!" You know that thing about stroking animals being good for your heart and good for your state of mind? She was perfect for those jobs.

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  5. Not good, a world with one less affectionate collie.

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  6. Losing a dog is always hard - sadly their life span is not as long as ours.
    Incidentally I am almost sure that buzzards only go for dead prey. A sparrow hawk is a different matter.

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    1. They do take the odd rabbit, Weave. I've seen them do it. They are rather partial to slugs as well, but they're easier to catch!

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  7. I'm sorry you've lost a loyal, peaceful friend; they are few.

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  8. I didn't know Dolly, and have not heard of her before, but the death of a dog always makes me cry since my first beloved dog left me 18 months ago. Present dog asleep in his crate at my feet ! Bless!

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    1. Dogs seem to represent so much that cannot be personified in real time by us humans, don't they?

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  9. This is sad news. I'm glad you were able to put her to rest in the field where she used to roam and play. And I'm glad you have the ball as a beloved memento.

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    1. In fact, she was not my dog - we were just good friends. Thanks anyway for the hopes.

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  10. Sorry to read this Tom.

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    1. Dogs are strange, in that they actually overtake us in the race to old age, just so long as we don't get them when we are 90 or so years old.

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  11. What a sad time. My dogs are like my children. They are by my side every moment of every day and give my life joy. I told Cro this from Edna St. Vincent Millay -
    "Parrots, tortoises and redwoods live a longer life than men do; man a longer life than dogs do; dogs, a longer life than love does."

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    1. There is a mollusc which lives in the bottom of the ocean, and it lives for well over 500 years - without T.V.

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  12. Saddest of days. I remember you posting about her. I'm glad that she had a good and fun life.

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    1. Yes - there was only one thing that occasionally ruined her life, and that was a deep fear of hot-air balloons which kept her hiding under tables for most of the Summer mornings and evenings.

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  13. Ive always wanted to say
    " Hello Dolly"

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    1. Em was expecting you to make a comment about her only leaving me with one ball, as I was. That is her sister's job (Dolly's, not Em's). She's quick to snap (Poppy, not Dolly or Em).

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    2. Actually this is pure conjecture. For all I know, Em would bite off one of my testicles without warning. It's wild on Dartmoor.

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    3. Only if you vote for Dave, then she will.

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  14. I'm so sorry, Tom.
    She looks a lot like my Sophie girl.

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    1. She wasn't my dog, but a good little friend.

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  15. I'm sorry, Tom. It's sad when a loved animal dies. It's a fact that petting an animal lowers the blood pressure, good for the heart and soothes the soul.

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  16. It's like a bereavement when a canine pal dies. Sorry for your sadness Tom. I just hope you go and get another Dolly pup. I always enjoy reading your blog.

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