Our beloved dog Champion died this afternoon age 15-1/2 years. Lisa found him still warm this afternoon in his favourite napping spot out in the sun .
About 5 years ago we noticed he was slowing down then two of the children brought home pups . Poor Champ was so disappointed that he wasn't the one and only . We made sure that he was called first, fed first, petted first, first in or out a door first, always had a place for a truck ride as sometimes the other dogs had to stay at home. Champ started walking proud with renewed energy, vigour and youth , he liked being the Alpha Dog even better than being the only dog.
Poor old fellow didn't have much left for teeth so we fed him softened food. The past few years Champs was barking louder and louder. We realized he was going deaf so he kept upping the volume so he could hear himself .
Champ was good teacher. He used to herd the chicken in and out of the shed or up and down the laneway several times a day.
One day something was different about the chickens being driven in and out of the shed. particularly when Champ was asleep beside me. One of the kid's pet rabbits was herding the birds around like a border collie.
The eldest and his fianc馥 had just dropped in today half an hour prior to Lisa arriving. They had visited on a whim while they were driving in the area to check the renovations and to see Champ. They were the last to see him run about , bark excitedly and expected to be fussed over . It looks like Champ waited for the eldest to visit, Champ said his goodbyes then he laid down and died as the kids drove out the laneway.
We had wondered during the past week or 10 days . Champ was demanding more attention, more truck rides, more cheese treats and more "Champ Burgers" at McDonalds. So glad we did. We knew he was on borrowed time but he was so full of vigour. Fortunatley to his last moment.
I have not felt so sad for a very long time.
