I went for 15 years after losing my little soul mate and adviser in '98. My present dog's past owner was a Horse breeder with a 'ranch' for a home near Hickstead. His daughters had bought my new companion for their Grandmother as a puppy and who'd soon after suffered a bad stroke. As an animal lover he was appalled when he went to his mother's home to find the 'carers' had imprisoned this little dog in a tea-chest in the garden and only discovered her after following the sound of whimperings from the wooden chest.
I gave him advice prior to a private prosecution on another matter and we ended up at the 'Pondersosa' where he had a number of horse enclosures. Galloping around with these magnificent creatures was this tiny dog of five months, covered in sawdust chippings. He told me the story I related above and persuaded me to 'have her for the weekend, see how you go'? Of course she never went back and has attached herself to me like a permanent appendage ever since. She cleaned up beautifully after all her knots were clipped and a few weeks later a huge pedigree certificate arrived. She's a real Tomboy, nickname 'nutter dot com' and is so similar to the little chap I'd had previously for 17 years.
I dread the day we are parted and it could be close run thing, I'm 74 and she's 7 next January, I have made arrangements for her care should I precede her demise.
She's perched now on the back of the 'captain's chair' - (her favourite) as I write this, quietly snoring!
