Sunday 2 May 2010

What a well behaved dog looks like!


Life is such a tough place sometimes.
People never think that they or the people they love will die.
This week my Uncle's partner of 30 years has died. My Uncle is a very sprightly 86 year old. His partner, who'd only married in the last couple of years, got a brain tumour. Fortunately this week Uncle's daughter has been over from the States where she has lived for the last 20 years.
She was worried sick how he'd get home from the airport after dropping her off. To not only have lost his wife in a week, but to have his girl fly away was a lot for him to deal with.
So I took them to the airport early this morning.
And I managed to persuade Uncle to have a cup of coffee before he went back to his now lonely house.
Now my dog as you know is a fairly fierce beast,or she can be. She'd never met Uncle before, but the minute he walked in she sat beside him to make friends. And whilst he had his coffee she lay across his feet keeping them warm.
How did she know that she had to be so good?
I know that she is sensitive to me, but did she pick up from that it was important for her to behave or did she pick up Uncle's pain. He loved her so much he even asked if she could go on holiday to his house for a couple of days.
Aren't animals amazing at just knowing.
Trix has got a million times better since those far off days 18 months ago when I wished I hadn't taken her on. But recently she has been astonishingly different.
Yesterday my physically disabled friend came for the day, she has to spend many hours lying on the floor, and each time she did Trix just lay alongside her keeping her warm. That is a change as in the past Trix has tried to lie on my friend's mats that she uses.
It's as if suddenly after 18 months she has just got it. How she needs to be with people who come here. Even my sister has stopped being frightened of her.
Once she knows that the people are there by my invitation she just calms down. But heaven help you if I don't want you in the house, cause she is a ferocious guard dog.

This post seems to have moved some way from where I thought it was going and on reflection that is ok, as the feelings about my dear old uncle are a bit too raw this morning.

15 comments:

Merry ME said...

Sounds like she needed to be loved so she could let her big ol' heart open up.

Good Girl, Trix.
Good Girl, Bryd for taking her on.

I see a pet in Uncle's future. Not Trix, but the one out there just waiting for him. Souls don't care whether you are animal or human. They just connect.

speck of dust said...

It's amazing how sensitive dogs are and also their capacity to compeletely transform their behaviour with the right care and attention. There was a rescue dog always being walked where we walk ours who was very aggressive, always had to be on the lead and he is fine walking past us now. He is off the lead a lot and is a happy dog! Sorry about your Uncle. Seems that we may have a quiet time in our own lives only to feel the pain of trouble in our friends and families lives. All we can do is be there, kind and loving. Lovely post Mandy x

AkasaWolfSong said...

Dear Mandy...
I am so sorry to hear about your Uncle's loss...it is nice you were able to be there for him.
I totally believe animals can sense when someone is in emotional, or physical pain, and can be a bridge for Love as their energy is Pure Love. It is wonderful your Trix picks up on this from those she journeys with...
I owned a rescue German-Shephard - Sarge - and he turned out to be the best dog I ever owned...or should I say he owned me? :) He had been so abused when I got him I could not get near him but over the course of a few months he became my protector in every sense, and even my children too.
I think Merry ME is so astute...mayhaps a pet is in the making for your Uncle and it will keep him active as well as create some responsibility for another living thing and bring him Love too?
Blessings being sent out to your Uncle this morning!

Sorrow said...

Sending some love to you Byrd~
just an arm load for the grieving and the caring...

Beatnheart said...

Oh Mandy, your uncle is lucky to have a shining star near him in the form of you and Trix...Let him babysit Trix for a little while if you can bear to part with him...He needs a pal and sometimes a pet is easier to open up to..Your uncle is also so lucky to find a love at his age and that he is willing to even look. Because of this I hope he finds another companion. Good on you for being a niece that everyone would want...

Helen said...

No matter how you began your post, where it went, or how it ended ~ it was so insightful ... Merry ME may have had a great idea, Uncle may need a bit of time to adjust, but a pet to look after could be what the doctor ordered!

Twiglet said...

A lovely blog - I am sure dogs do know how folk are feeling. I have just been admiring that beautiful pink Magnolia all over your blog - breath taking.Nature never ceases to amaze me!

Angela said...

A beautiful post, Mandy. I`m so glad you kept Trix. She probably says a prayer every night that she found you.
It`s amazing how dogs connect with children and with sick or very old people. They have a good heart.
And thank you again for helping me, too! You also have a good heart!

Ronjazz said...

All the stuff that's happened in my own life in recent months, and you just reminded me of one of my best friends: Jake, a now 12-year-old Golden retriever who lives with friends of mine and is very happy. Jake was smart. Sensitive. Aware. And always happy. My goodness, how I miss him.

Manchester Lass, Now and Then said...

I'm sorry to hear about your Uncle's loss, he must feel blessed that he has such a wonderful niece who is there for him♥ Trix looks absolutely beautiful in the photo and is turning into the perfect companion.

Anonymous said...

Blessings to all of you Byrd- all there for each other.xxxx

Rosaria Williams said...

Your dog has learned and is smart enough to understand her role with each person you meet. Sorry to hear about your uncle's loss.

Mel said...

(((((( the byrdie ))))))))

What a hard loss for him.

Perhaps Trix can take that holiday with you in tow?

janis said...

Yes, animals are amazing. I don't know how I would cope without their unconditional love.
I am so sorry for your family loss.

CheekyDani said...

Oh good girl Trixie, what a sweetheart. (And yes I am a little behind... getting there!) x