Sandie Seward
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Shannon.I feel like writing an obituary for my little Shannon. Please bear with me whilst I pour my heart out.
Shannon was supposed to be a Dandie Dinmont terrier, although that was open to question. Whatever she was, she was the most placid and beautiful temperament dog I've ever had the privilidge of owning. She was eight years old when she came into my life, and changed my whole lifestyle.
I am feeling maudlin tonight, but I shall try to make this a fitting tribute to her.
She came from a family who had owned her from a puppy, a disfunctional family, who thought more about buying the latest fashions and the latest videos than caring for their pet dog. She was left to her own devices most of the time, fed if and when they remembered it, and was let out onto the streets to roam most of the day. This ensured that she had quite a few litters of pups, as she hadn't been spayed.
I had not long before lost my other dog, Tich, who had had to be put to sleep aged seventeen, and I said that I wasn't going to have any more dogs afterwards. However, a woman I was working with at the time, happened to mention that she had a dog at home that she "no longer wanted", and knowing that I'd recently lost mine, asked me if I'd like "it".
Well, the first time I saw her, I almost broke my heart because the poor bedraggled and pathetic specimen that greeted me at the womans' house, was in a very sorry state. She was extremely thin, smelt terrible, and it was plain to see that she was far from happy. She came over to me, and I gave her a pat, and noticed that her skin was full of tiny lumps, some of which had been bleeding.
"There it is" said the woman, (who shall be nameless here, as if I really wrote what I thought about her, she'd probably sue me!)
"I'll have her", I said without hesitation. Shannon, (for that was her original name and I decieded to keep it), came to me and rested her head against me. I took her home then and there.
Made an appointment at the vets without delay, and the vet told me that she was very undernurished and that she had a skin disorder, probably an allergy from what she had been eating. (This turned out to be an allegy to tripe and Butchers' Dog Food).
Anyway, the vet gave her some anti-biotics, some drops for her ears, and some vitamins. I gave her her medicene religiously, and very soon she started to seem like a very different animal. Within a couple of months she was free of the skin complaint, and putting on weight. I had also had to re-toilet train her, which didn't take very long, as she was basically a very clean dog in her habits indoors.
We developed a routine, and Shannon soon became a happy, lively, and healthy little dog, who wouldn't let me out of her sight.
We went almost everywhere together, and I even took her with me in the car when I went to Northumberland to visit my friend.
We went out hill-walking every day, the four of us, my friend June, her dog, Pippa, Shannon, and myself.
We had a lovely time, and a great holiday.
Shannon would not swim, however, despite Pippa doing her best to teach her. Shannon did not like the water one bit, and point blank refused to go in.
As I have already said, we spent almost seven wonderful years together. She gave me unquestioned love and devotion, greater love than any human could ever offer.
Shannon, you were a wonderful and true friend, and I shall miss you.
If there is a "doggy heaven" then I know you'll be there, once again playing with Pippa, Willow, and all your other friends, and perhaps you might even meet Tich as well. If you do, give him a big hug and kiss from me, and thank you both for being my friends. Rest in Peace, my love. Goodnight.
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