[cigwyllt]

On paper it was a disaster waiting to happen. An elderly man, nearly 75, wife in a wheel chair, living in a mobile home with no secure garden. A boisterous young stray who had lasted just 24 hours in his previous home before being returned to the rescue. But the lady who ran the rescue clearly knew her stuff. After a mad 5 minutes jumping all over my dad Ianto settled down on his feet and went to sleep. So, arrangements made for collection my parents returned home and prepared to add this mad dog to their family.

A few days later came a phone call. "Do you still want him?" Of course, why wouldn't they? Apparently, on leaving the surgery an hour or so after his op he had slipped his lead and caused chaos in the town running in and out of the traffic and had only been recovered when a driver opened the passenger door of his car and he jumped in!

That was to set the scene for the rest of his time with my parents. Leave the door open a fraction longer than necessary, hold the leash a little too loose and he would be gone.

He was never an easy dog. He suffered separation anxiety and nothing was safe if he needed to chew. The tops of the kitchen cupboards, accessible to my dad only through the use of a stepping stool harboured all sorts of goodies that Ianto would find and hide when he was left alone.

After the infamous grape incident when he devoured 2lbs of black grapes and ended up on a drip in the vet hospital wing he was confined to his crate when he was left, eventually graduating to being locked in the bedroom.

Ianto loved life, people, food, travelling, staying at home - if his people were around he was happy. When dad had a minor op he was content to stay by the bed while he recovered, only leaving the house for the briefest toilet trip. But when dad wanted to walk Ianto was there. They would regularly walk 4 miles a day on their long walk and had several short scampers as well.

He was an exuberant, happy dog. He and dad had an understanding. When it was time to go out dad would take the lead and turn his back on him. Ianto would jump and place his paws on dads shoulders as if to say "Get on with it!" Even on Monday afternoon he was pushing dad to get ready.

Then on Monday night he seemed off colour. By Tuesday morning he had no interest in anything so dad took him to the vet and had his glands done. By Thursday he was worse and the vet gave him a course of anti biotics. On Saturday evening we took him to the vet as an emergency and she gave us the devastating news. On Sunday he was brighter and happier than he had been for days - even taking dad for a walk around the block - but when we returned to the vet on Monday he was no better - his temp was still the same, his glands were still hugely swollen.

She took samples to send to the lab and arranged to phone us on Tuesday afternoon. Through the night his breathing became more laboured. He was unable to close his mouth. I wanted to see a flash of the old Ianto so this morning I gave him a couple of rounds of garlic sausage. He could barely close his mouth to eat it and although he wanted it it kept falling out of his mouth.

We called the vet and asked if we could bring him in for the last time. My dad was unable to take him. This man who I have never known to be late couldn't even bring himself to get dressed in time to get to the surgery. So I took him myself. I had to lift him up and carry him from the bed to the car and then Chris carried him in. The vet was so gentle and kind to all of us, passing me tissues and singing softly to Ianto as he relaxed for the first time for a week.

He caused so much trouble and anxiety with his chewing and running away but he was such a loving and lovable dog. He never lifted his lip in anger. He never growled other than in play. You could use him as a pillow or a footstool and he wouldn't blink an eyelid. We will miss him forever. Goodnight best dog.

[CorkyMax]

I know this is a sad time (It makes me cry just reading your post and of course it makes me think of my Corky too.) but Ianto is free of pain now and able to be happy again. Your dad gave him love, a happy life and home while he was here--I hope that is of some comfort to your dad and you. And as close as your dad and Ianto were in real life--I am sure that Ianto is going to keep a watch over him even now and will be waiting at the gate when the time is right. From all that I have read--Pets are the first greeters, even before human family. I also have read that departed pets don't want you to grieve too long as the pet is happy and wants you to be happy too--knowing that you will meet again.

[lange]

He was loved. May he now rest in peace. <3