Natasha the Shetland puppy has come through her operation just fine. That's our impression so far, anyway. She's licking her stitches a little bit, but not too much. I have to say, I really missed her yesterday. The house was too quiet. Except for the vacuum cleaners — we took advantage of the time to do some house-cleaning.
Callie the border collie (2007-2017) at age 9½.
Since I didn't take any photos of Natasha yesterday, and I've published quite a few pictures of her recently, I'm going to give some equal time to the other two dogs that have been a part of our life together over the past 25 years.
Collette the rescue dog (1992-2006) at age 11, when we first arrived in Saint-Aignan.
Thinking about Natasha at the vet's undergoing surgery made me remember all that we went through with Collette and Callie, especially at the end of their lives, and how much I miss them. Callie had to have surgery twice in the first few months we had her here, 10 years ago. She left this world very suddenly a couple of months ago at age 10. She fell ill on a Saturday and departed 2 days later. Collette lived to the ripe old age of 14, and her decline started a couple of years before she passed away. She fell seriously ill on a Sunday and died 2 days later. Both of these dogs made us happier and healthier people, as will Natasha.
You're right, dogs do make us both happier and healthier. Life for us without a dog for the last year just hasn't felt right. Being free of the responsibility has been nice, but also somehow aimless, as if something was missing.
ReplyDeleteIt's almost strange to think that we've had a dog in our household for more than 25 years now, with the exception of the one year between 2006 and 2007 after Collette died and Callie came here. The happy part of having a dog is the company, affection, and entertainment. The healthy part for us is all the walking.
DeleteI can't remember seeing a photo of Collette. She was a nice looking dog.
ReplyDeleteShe really was beautiful. And I remember taking her to the open-air market in Noyers one day and standing in line to buy food at one stand or another. The woman behind me asked about Collette. I told her the dog was 11 years old. The woman was astounded. She said Collette looked more like an 11-month-old dog. Collette, however, was very afraid of people she didn't know and would bark like a maniac.
DeleteThese are beautiful photos of Callie and Collette. I'll bet you had some tough emotions to deal with yesterday. I'm glad Natasha is such a comfort.
ReplyDeleteJudy
Our Standard Poodle, Tate, was my last dog and we were hesitant to get another, worrying we would compare the new one and it would do well in the comparison. He was just easy- training, living with him, loving him. He was a delight.. and for a large male dog, he was as gentle as any I have had , male or female. When a small child wanted to touch him or pet him, he would, without being told, lay down .. he was as gentle as a lamb and I always laughed to myself when adults were wary of him ..
ReplyDeleteI miss him every day .. he died in Buenos Aires .. and he loved cats.
we worried that a new dog would 'not' do well in the comparison ...
DeleteYou and Walt have been blessed with beautiful, loving dogs and they have been equally blessed by being a huge part of your lives.
ReplyDeleteCollette's face is beautiful and looks very soft. I enjoyed getting to know Callie who lived a rich life in the vines. I can't imagine a world without dogs and cats.
ReplyDeleteWe still had Collette with us when you visited with Buddy and Charlotte in, was it 2004, no? And yes, I know Callie had a good, predictable, regular life, which is what dogs seem to like.
DeleteCollette was one of the most beautiful dogs I've ever seen. And Callie was so unique, especially for a border collie. Loved her colors. Natasha might rival Collette in the looks department. And these dogs do keep us healthy--sometimes the only exercise I get is the morning walk with our two. Grateful for that. Thanks for the lovely post and the memories.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing that such a beautiful dog was scheduled for euthanasia in just a couple of days when we found her at the Santa Clara County Humane Society? She was so freaked out after having been picked up as a stray on the streets in Santa Clara or San José as the age of about 6 months. Natasha is recovering nicely. She's much more active today than she was yesterday after the surgery.
DeleteKen and Walt,
ReplyDeleteMy heart broke when I read about Callie. I hadn't been able to catch up with you all, all summer. I've been following both your blogs since the very beginning. I've loved and cherished everything I've learned from both of you. Thank you so much for sharing your lives, and sharing Callie's story, and always for sharing her photos and talking about your walks together. Your blogs are often my favorite part of the day--something I look forward to always. Thinking of you both as you adjust to life without Callie and so happy you have lovely Natasha to help you through it. I look forward to stories and pics of her on your blogs. Give Bertie a scratch from me here in WI.
Thank you Kim. Callie's death really took us by surprise. We thought we'd have Callie and Natasha together for 3 or 4 years when we brought Natasha home in April. It wasn't to be. As soon as he comes up for his late-morning treats, I'll give Bertie a scratch for you.
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