Rosie

For over 40 years I bred West Highland Terriers, one of the most lovable of breeds, and always close to my heart.

Over those years, I spent many hours sitting beside my dogs while a litter was born, a very loving moment shared between pet and owner. Of course over those years too, I lost one by one my lovely little girls, only one through illness, the others either quietly or at the vets due to just pure old age!

Every one I held in my arms till the last moment came, every time the pain and grief of loss. Every time that is, until my Rosie,  the last Westie I was to have sadly!

Two years ago I was holidaying in Malta, It was my birthday, but strangely, as evening came so came that old feeling, the pain of loss?

I always had my son Phillip come to stay when I went away, to care for my animals so they could be at home, in the place they knew and loved. I knew from long experience they missed me when away, so to be at home with Phil was a small comfort both to them, and to me.

As that day was my birthday, I had spoken to all my family, but still couldn’t shake the feeling my Rosie had gone. We had spoken of this Phil and I before I went, as she was to be 14 in one months time, and was soon to be at the end of her days, often hard to wake at night to put to bed, her dear body just tired after her years of faithful loving. It was agreed she was to go to the vets if any sign of trouble, that Phillip would take care of her. But why did I feel she was gone? Surely I would have been told?

Next morning, I text to ask was all ok, were animals being good? I had a cat also then, though sadly she was killed by Mr. Fox almost a year later!

Yes all ok came back the reply, it wasn’t until I reached England and on my way home from the Airport, I learned, yes, my little girl was gone, I spent an hour on a bus, silently weeping for my loss, grieving that she was the last one, and I had not been able to hold her close or say goodbye. At first they wouldn’t tell me when, but I already knew didn’t I, on the evening of my birthday, 27th January 2013 Rosie had gone to sleep at Phillips feet, beside where I always sat with her, he remembered I had said she was sometimes hard to wake, and I had to carry her to the garden before putting her to bed. But this time, she was not to wake .

Two years have gone by since that January, but I write this with tears still, I like to think we were together in mind, if not in body, so strange that I knew, but such a bond between human and animal is possible, I know! She rests in peace my lovely little Rosie, in my sons garden, where he laid her before my return. He kept his promise, he looked after her.

I wanted to share this with you and your readers, this is a true story and a true account of the love we shared we two, and the strange fact that I did know when she fell asleep, although not told, although not there, we were together for that last moment. I am so sure of this.

I wonder do other readers have similar story’s I would so like to know?

Written by Margo Cooke