Emotional Times.....

Thank you to everyone for all their kind words about Hugo after the shock of Thursday. Words aren't enough to describe the big hole that he has left in the lives of everyone connected with SHAK, in fact so big is the void that it just doesn't feel the same anymore.

From a personal point of view the hole experience has touched some really fresh and raw nerves as this weekend signifies some very significent memories.

On the 7th March 1999, a little scraggy delinquent German Shepherd Cross walked out of the pound and into my life. He was called Shak.....

Whilst 3 years ago on the 7th too, I lost Dudley a German Shepherd with neurological problems that had taught me so much and got me through a very difficult part of my life.

Then a year ago today I lost my constant soul mate Oskar.....

Memories and emotions for Hugo, Shak, Dudley and Oskar over a 4 day period, very emotional times indeed.....

Here's Dudley and Oskar's story.....

It's a year today since I lost one of the most influential dogs I've ever been lucky enough to meet. Dudley was dumped in a field in the middle of nowhere, left to die as he couldn't stand. He wasn't ready to die though, and he battled through CDRM and Arthritis, and lived with me for 5 months. He enjoyed swimming twice a week and massages, and stuck to my side from the minute he saw me. Dudley taught me so much, he inspired me to go on when times were tough, and was everything you could ever dream of in a dog. Ironically he died 13 years to the  day that Shak walked into my life, and left as big a hole in my heart as the dog whose death started all of this.

Its with great sadness this morning that I have to tell you that our big brave boy Oskar lost his fight against cancer late yesterday afternoon. Having been diagnosed with a hemangiosarcoma (a very nasty tumour on the spleen) just before Christmas resulting in the removal of his spleen, we were gutted to find secondary tumours 11 days ago. To explain what a ruthless and aggressive cancer this is, please follow the link below:

What Is A Hemangiosarcoma.....

Despite never being a SHAK dog, Oskar was the dog the who made me realise I needed dogs in my life after Shak died, he helped so many in so many ways. From sharing his home with so many, even just the over night stays, to walking and teaching others how to socialise, Oskar was responsible for some of the best work we've done.Like Harvey before him, he was a great teacher, and one who we all will miss dearly.

Oskar (centre) showing Kai the ropes.

Oskar (second from the right) with Doyle, Star, Laser and Murphy.

Oskar (centre) leading the way with Melissa walking 5 dogs together for the first time.

With his big mate Doyle.

Personally I do not think myself or my family can believe he's gone. As I wrote the post about Shak and Dudley yesterday I was nursing him, knowing that the clock was ticking down and that he wasn't getting any better. I knew this was coming, but I just didn't want him to go.

My daughter Neve used to call him "Boss of the Dogs" and you know I think that he truly was. That quickly earned him the nickname "Boss Dog" and watching him roam nobly around the countryside off lead where we live, you couldn't disagree.

My heart was in pieces when Shak died, Oskar glued them all back together as one the very first time I saw him. We now need to show the same bravery he has done and try and stick them all back together ourselves this time. Right now it feels like walking on water would be easier.....

I'll leave you with some pictures of how I like to remember him, taken just last Wednesday.....

Oskar..... The Constant in my life.