Ch.
Larklains Dandy Honeycomb
I had two cases in the
past year in which Corgis were returned to me. In the first, an older woman
had called me to find an older Corgi for her since she had just outlived
her last one. I had helped her find the previous pet since I didn't
have anything for her at the time, but upon hearing from her for the second
time, I decided to let her have my beloved Honey. Ch. Larklain Dandy
Honeycomb was nine years old at the time and had an arthritic shoulder.
Unfortunately, she refused to give up fence running and kept making herself
lame. I figured that she would fare better with her new 88 year old
owner - both the same speed. Mary lived alone (and fiercely independent)
about twenty minutes away and Honey immediately adjusted to her new home.
They'd go for walks every day around the property or down to the mailbox.
When I visited, Honey would rush to greet me and make a big fuss
- then go lie down at Mary's feet. A real friendship developed between
Mary and me. I'd visit to check on Honey. Did she have enough
food - the right food - should the amount be adjusted? I'd take her
to my house to do nails and give baths or take her to the vet, if necessary.
Mary used to tell me that Honey must surely be the most beautiful Corgi
there ever was and, of course, I'd agree. She also used to ask how
old would Honey live, obviously worried that she would outlive Honey. Would
I find her another "old lady" in case she lost Honey?
One night Mary's hip fractured spontaneously, but she managed to get
to a phone and call for help. There arrived on the scene a doctor,
an ambulance and Mary's family. Honey threw her little body between
Mary and the paramedics who were trying to take her away, so she had to
be shut in the kitchen.
When I placed Honey with Mary, we had had many discussions to clarify
what would happen to Honey if Mary couldn't care for her. I had a
meeting with all the family members and it was agreed that if Mary died,
Honey would come back to me.
So when Mary broke her hip and had replacement surgery, I was immediately
notified and picked up Honey who stayed with me for two months, then went
back for a touching reunion. Same story when Mary broke her arm a
year or two later.
One of our favorite things was to take some of Honey's great,great grandpuppies
to visit Mary. She would insist that I let the puppies run around
on the rug in her very formal living room. She'd say she'd love to
have one and I'd discourage that. That last time I took a puppy for
a visit, she made a very serious attempt to buy him after consulting Honey
as to whether they could afford it (they mmost certainly could)!
She told me to think about it and bring the puppy back for another visit.
Mary was 94 years old, living by herself (although she had a cook and gardner
and. later, private nurses) and she really wanted a new puppy. What
a spirit she had!
Two weeks later, Mary died. She collapsed at night and the house
again filled with paramedics and relatives. Honey was is such great
distress that the family thought she would die, too. At 8:00 the
next morning, they brought her to me again. She seemed to get back
to herself again and lived a happy, healthy life until she died at fourteen.
I miss them both.
This arrangement worked for Honey, for Mary and her family and for me
because we all understood what to expect. I was extremely touched
when Mary's family gave me for Christmas the hood ornament from her car.
A Corgi, of course.
WinsPuppiesMy
DogsPerformance
DogsCandidsLinks
Celebration
of CorgisThe
Sable Site
2000
National ReportCaring
for Your Corgi
