Goodbye Sammy

Sixteen years old, our beautiful dog Sam died today. His back legs were failing him, and most other bits too. We did not want to see him suffer, so we were forced to make the hardest of decisions.  I held him in my arms and he slipped quietly from this world, softly resting his head on my shoulder. 

He was a great dog, expert at doing all the cool doggy stuff. He would shake with one paw and then the other, he would sit, lie down, and take food ever so gently. He adored food, and was very easy to train with treats. As a special treat for lunch today we gave him four lamb chops, it was such a joy to watch him happily devour them, his teeth never failed him. On one occasion, when we were living at a farm, he was given a whole sheep's leg to eat. In a few hours he had consumed the lot, wool, hoof, and all.

He loved to chase a stick or ball and would dive into the chilly seas around Phillip Island to fetch anything we had thrown. We had to use a two ball technique, as he never wanted to give up the prize until another one was offered. He also liked to chase rabbits, ever abundant on Phillip Island, on the one occasion he actually caught one he just crouched over it, not really sure what to do when the chase was over. In his heyday he would have given a a greyhound a run for its money. He loved to run alongside us as we rode a bike. and even kept up with a motor bike. Sam's love of running was sometimes a little to passionate for our liking. He was expert at making a sudden escape and disappearing for a days adventure. 'Sammy's done a runner", we would sigh and then go looking for him, usually without success.  At the end of the day he'd return panting and smiling, and smelling of some terrible doggy cologne he'd procured from who knows where.

Sammy has been around for such a big part of our lives. At our side through births and deaths. Through celebrations and sadness.  He had wise, soulful eyes, and would always be understanding and a comfort when things weren't going well.  He was a constant. Already I miss his snoring on the mat and the sound of his clip clopping around the house.

Sam was a Border Collie/ cross something, we never knew. It was fun to speculate - German Shepherd, Blue Heeler, Wolf. He was very regal.  He always held one ear up, whilst the other flopped, a trait he had from birth. He was a lovely, calm, gentle dog to have around our children, although I wish they had seen more of his better years.

He was always by our side in the garden, loving our company outdoors. He had a favourite spot amongst the plants to lie, which we called his nest, we even astro-turfed it to help keep him dry and comfortable. He could not be convinced on the benefits of a kennel and snubbed the one we offered him.

The goodbyes were so hard. He leaves us with such a big hole in our hearts. Our poor middle one is particularly struggling with the grief of losing a companion he has always known. The youngest Bowerbird is blissfully zen about it, as only the very young can be. I think the eldest is being strong for us all.

Goodbye beautiful Sammy, we'll miss patting that wonderfully soft head of yours, and all your quirky ways. Thankyou for all your love, doggy joy and patience. Arriving home isn't going to be the same without your smile and wagging tail.

Tonight's sunset was a beautiful fitting farewell.

Hello Goodbye

I've got the Bowerbird Blues today.  

I had my sister visit for a week and got thoroughly used to her being around, we understand each other in a way not many others can, all that shared history, we were always close, it is a simple joy to just be with each other. Then we had to say goodbye this morning, for a year or maybe more, she's moving to England with her gorgeous girlfriend (sister on left and cheeky girlfriend on right). Makes me teary just saying it.  

Even though we live in a global village our meanderings are very limited by money. Visiting family overseas is one of the few things I miss about not having a wealthy life, we are rich in so many ways. 


I hate saying goodbye. Wish I could do it like a toddler, kiss and move on to the next thing with happy abandon.  Ah, to be little. There has been a lot of goodbyes in my life, we moved house every 3 or 4 years growing up and I continued that tradition until 7 years ago. I think that might be part of the reason my sister and I are close - we were each others friends through all the shifts. Even though we're staying put, there are still goodbyes.  Goodbye to others who shift away, goodbye to my parents every time they visit from Jakarta, goodbye sometimes forever. Even though I can rationalise things will be OK in my mind, that time goes fast, that Skype/phone/emails/letters will connects us, that we lived far apart anyway, it doesn't quite sit well today.  Poor Bowerbird dad has been doing all the camping packing solo.


Also sad news on the caterpillar front. We found him dead this morning.

It was all looking so promising two days ago, he curled his leaf over and then was surrounded in white balls with his hairs all through it.  It was difficult to know what was happening in there as he was all covered over.

 This morning his cocoon didn't look right and on closer inspection we found it empty

And poor caterpillar was dried up on the ground (I took a picture of him on the newspaper and didn't realise what quote he was sitting on - a great question for our bureaucrats).  All that anticipation.  Goodbye little fella, you brought great joy to our house this week, sorry you didn't make it to your next stage in life.  I've emailed the Melbourne Museum to see if they can tell us what might have gone wrong.


That all sounds glum but something good did happen today.   We got a special mention for our Fairy Garden on The Magic Onions, there were some gorgeous entries to their Fairy Garden Competition, looking at all those wonderful creations can't help but make you smile. The Beatles in those outfits are also pretty good happiness material, especially that goofy Ringo smile.

These happy show day kids all countried up also made me chuckle.  The little one had to get in on the photo.

The big one won first prize for her fairy succulent garden at school show day - she was pretty chuffed, middle one got a commendation for his biscuit decorating.