Tribute to Bouncer

Bouncer at the shelter, before we adopted him

Instead of my 'Welsh Legend Monday' I'm devoting today to my beloved little 'rescue', Jack Russell, Bouncer.

Tragically we had to have him put to sleep last Thursday. He had several brain tumours and had slowed down over the last few months, although he was still happy and mischievous, and very, very 'knowing'.  On Wednesday night he started having convulsions and on Thursday we had to make the terribly sad decision to make sure he did not suffer any more.

Bouncer first came into our lives in September 2007.  I had emailed an animal shelter in Wales and they sent me his picture. There were other dogs available for rehoming, but how could I possibly refuse that little face and the silent plea in those dark eyes?  I knew he was meant to be ours.

From the minute he stepped through the door it was as if he'd always been part of the family.  I put the blanket we'd bought for him which he'd been lying on, on the way home, in his bed and he climbed straight into it and curled up, quite at home.  Among his new toys was a red, plush dragon which he 'loved' to death. After a few weeks it was as flat as a pancake, and missing its eyes and horns, but he slept with it every night of his life with us.



He'd been badly treated in the past, and his hip had been broken and allowed to heal without a vet, so it healed a bit crooked and he walked with a bit of a swagger, with his feet pointing to a quarter to three, like a little penguin, as he 'sashayed' along.




He was such an inquisitive little dog and soon found a small hole in the garden fence where he could spy on next door's cat.

I think he believed if he slept on a growbag, he might turn into a Great Dane and not have to stand on flowerpots.

He loved going down  to the horses with us, and would investigate every nook and cranny of the feedroom, where he could probably smell the resident mice and our 'feral' stable cats. 

His favourite thing in the world was his 'treatball' and as soon as he finished his morning and evening meals he would sit and ask for it to be filled with treats and chase it around, batting it with his nose or his paw to get the treats out with a dexterity and expertise that would have made David Beckham green with envy!

About two years ago he started to lose his sight and gradually went completely blind, but he didn't allow it to interfere with his enjoyment of life and still managed to get around and play with his treatball and enjoy his daily 'walkie'. In November last year he had what the vet at first thought was a 'mini stroke' but scans revealed to be inoperable brain tumours. We were devastated.  How could our clever, happy little dog have this inflicted on him on top of everything else?  For a while we thought we were going to lose him, but he was such a little fighter and after a week or so on new medication, bounced back, true to his name, and it was hard to believe there was anything wrong with him, he certainly didn't lose any of his zest for life, or knowing ways, and was still as bright as a button.

We went 'home' to Wales for a few days last week and while we were there he began to have convulsions and we knew it was time to say goodbye to our beloved little friend and companion. He is buried, his paw resting on his red dragon,  in a lovely, peaceful spot on my sister's land, with her two dogs. It seems fitting that he should be laid to rest in Wales, where he came from.  He will be sorely missed by us and everyone who knew him, and will never ever be forgotten.  Rest In Peace little Bouncer, and wait for us at the Rainbow Bridge.

Thursdays Bits and Pieces

It's been a while since I posted my 'bits and pieces'. I do apologise.  It's been a slightly hectic couple of weeks.

First of all, my beloved little Jack Russell. Bouncer, was taken ill.  At first the vet thought it was a 'mini stroke' but when he didn't improve as expected, he recommended we took him to a veterinary specialist hospital, for a scan, which unfortunately revealed a brain tumour.  Poor Bouncer, he was ill treated before we had him. had a broken hip and pelvis which had been allowed to heal without veterinary treatment, then last year he went blind, and now this.  Although he's on new medication, which seems to have help enormously, and he's almost back to his usual cheeky self, we've been told the tumour will continue to grow, and there's nothing else they can do for him.  So all we can do is treasure whatever time we have left with him, and give him as much love as we possibly can.

On a happier note, last week we adopted two 'feral' cats to do the mousework down the stables.  We've named them George and Katy, in honour of the Royal baby.  They're both jet black, with a little bit of white fur on their chests, and brother and sister. I don't have any actual pictures, as they have to be kept in their pen for three weeks until they get used to us. They're settling down well though, and Bouncer has seen them but for some reason is not terribly impressed! :)

Then, at the weekend, I went to the Festival of Romance in Bedford.  It was a great event, as always, and I met up with many old and new author friends. The Book Fair was a great chance to meet readers, and on Sunday there was a really interesting programme of speakers for the Conference, with Publishers and Agents, AND I had the chance to speak to a lovely editor who liked my first chapter and wants to see the rest! SO I really need to get that WIP finished and polished before I send it to her, so I'm going into the writing cave, I may be a while! :) )Not too long I hope, wish me luck!)

Nicky Wells and me

Sheryl Browne and Nicky

Our hotel

In the evening, after dinner, I went for a walk by the river.  It is beautiful, especially at night.