Treasured

For Thematic Photogaphic this week, I decided to post some of the dogs who have lived with my family since my children were young.

The first dog we ever got was Jason (he of the golden fleece) - a lovely Golden Labrador who lived with us for 12 years until he died of old age at 14. Sadly I don't have any digital pics of him.

Then came Murray, the Best Dog Ever. 

He was an SPCA dog, Labrador and (probably) German Shepherd cross.

He had the most wonderful nature - affectionate and gentle, loyalty personified (canified?). 

At the age of 7 he developed stomach cancer and in spite 

of an operation to remove the tumour, had to be put to sleep. 

This photo of him about a week before he died can still make me cry:

Next was Darcy - a pedigreed Golden Labrador.

He was a nice dog but was only with us for three years; 

he hurt both front knees as a pup jumping off a cliff and developed really painful 

arthritis in them over the next couple of years. 

He, too, had to be put to sleep.

We had got Manu as a companion for Darcy when everyone was working long hours and we 

were worried about him being lonely:

 

For about 6 months we had 3 dogs, as we looked after Neo for some friends:

These days, it's just Manu who keeps us company; we live on a much smaller property now,

 and there's no room for a big dog:

 He is our faithful and true friend, always smiling. 

And like all of our animals, greatly treasured.

 

 Go here for more treasures.

“You can say any fool thing to a dog and the dog will just give you this look that says, 'My GOSH, you're RIGHT! I NEVER would've thought of that!”
~ Dave Barry