Henri - 15^th September 1995 to 24^th July 2008 

Henri came to us late in his life. He joined the family on 26th October 2006 and fitted

in very well. It was nice to have an ‘old’ dog about the house again after we lost Toby

as they have such a wonderful quality about them.

Poor Henri was not blessed with the best of health having a very bad heart, testicular cancer and was a slave to bad ears! However, we all soldiered on. The vet said that he had a life expectancy of 6 months but we were blessed with a total of almost two years.

He enjoyed a gentle walk around the park until his last few weeks but still loved the garden

and the house, that was always full of canine company, which he enjoyed.

At Christmas time he was very popular at the Dalswinton Hotel as he was very much the

‘Granddaddy’ of the hotel canine guests and he soaked up the admiration of our fellow

human guests!

Happily we went to the seaside a few weeks before we lost Henri and he enjoyed a paddle

in the surf and joining in at the bar in the evening back at the hotel!

We all miss Henri and are grateful that he blessed our lives, even if it was for such brief time.

God rest and God bless you Henri

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Just a dog

'From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or,

"that's a lot of money for just a dog."

They don't understand the distance travelled, the time spent, or the costs

involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I

did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog,"

and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort

and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phrases

like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and

pure unbridled joy.

"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.  

Because of "just a dog", I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly

to the future.

So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all

the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the

pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from

myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand

that it's not "just a dog", but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me

from being "just a man or woman."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog" just smile... because they

"just don't understand." '
 

Written by an unknown Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.