Today my darling Willow left us for Rainbow Bridge. Every one says it but she really was one in a million. This is her story, sorry it's so long. We weren't in the market for another dog. We had lost three GSDs in as many years and had decided that Nala (Akita) would be just as happy as a single dog than as a multi and the heartbreak was still too raw. The family had gone to Woodgreen for an arts and craft fair when we saw a large puppy being carried into reception. It was just a passing glance but the resemblance to one of our GSDs was uncanny and my daughter Alyson, then aged 10, was insistent that we followed to find out where it was being taken - and so Willow's story starts. Willow hadn't had the best start in life, an accident between two resident dogs had resulted in three puppies who had pretty much been left to their own devices. Locked in a 12 foot square concrete pen with their parents it became a daily struggle for food and space. When taken into Woodgreen at six months they weighed around 27 pounds and were covered in scars and scabs from the tussles that they had over food. Their main diet had been dried pasta that had been scattered around the pen for them to eat, not the best of diets. Woodgreen were reluctant to re home them, they hadn't had any socialisation, had never been inside a house and had lived as a pack and most importantly were, as they saw it 15 years ago, a dangerous cross (GSD X Akita) but they had not reckoned on the persistence of a 10 year old!! Under orders I phoned daily asking for an update for the following two weeks, mainly to make sure that these puppies were being properly assessed and not just written off. Having had experience of the two breeds in the cross I knew what wonderful pets they could make and just wanted them to be given the chance. Alyson had other ideas, she wanted to have a dog of her own and she wanted one of these puppies!! I don't know who was worn down first but before we knew it we were invited to bring Nala and the family down to meet one of the puppies with a view to re homing it. Easy? Not really, they hadn't realised that my children were so young (10 and 11) and said that they were only suitable for children over 14 years old due to size and breed. Again, Alyson was determined and explained how she had grown up with GSDs and Akitas and knew how to behave around them. One puppy rehomed!! Puppy home and name changed from Rebel (yep, she was a difficult one) to Willow, I explained to Alyson that as her dog she was responsible for training, scooping, exercising, feeding and everything else. And so a beautiful relationship began. Alyson likes to think of herself as the teacher but I think that she was as much the pupil as Willow was. Faced with a dog without any manners, no house training, never been on a lead, in a car, in a house, on grass - the list was endless as was the work needed to help this lost soul reach her true potential - she set about teaching Willow about the great things in life and the fun that could be had, how to behave on a lead and off, in the company of people and around other dogs, how she didn't need to counter surf or raid the bin for food, that the postman was a nice man and other dogs were fun. But along the way she learnt about patience, repetition, perseverance, compassion, caring, kindness, frustration, laughter, tears and unconditional love. Many years of partnership continued, junior handling (which they won too many times to count, mainly I think due to their close bond), long walks, training and companionship. Willow was a listening ear when relationships started and broke down, listening to rants about friends (and parents lol), joining in the excitement of life plans, licking away the tears and sharing in the celebrations, always there, a quiet confidante, never judging and always available. Waiting patiently when Alyson went away to University and going mad with excitement when she came home. Willow welcomed people and dogs into the home alike, making space for new arrivals and happy to share her people and space. Nicknamed the love sponge because she can never get enough fuss and contact. She became a stooge dog at training class, always having an uncanny knack of knowing how much contact a dog would tolerate and made many friends with dogs that had previously been dog aggressive. Gentle beyond belief she let babies and children pet her, overlooking the odd fur pull or ear tweak seemingly knowing that they didn't mean it. She is the local 'teddy bear' and I'm sure that she thought that was her real name she had been called it so often. Willow was a true ambassador for both of the breeds in her cross, showing what can be achieved with a bit of patience and love. It was with immense sadness that we watched this wonderful girl slowly getting old. Until recently she has enjoyed a full and varied life, having long walks, looking out for her beloved Alyson and being there for cuddles and fuss. But the old body started to fail and she gave her last and most poignant lessons today, those of loss and grief - but she won't be there to soothe away the tears this time.
A touching eulogy to a loved girl, I think we all know how you are feeling. Willow will live on in your precious memories.
She was certainly stunning to look at Azz but more stunning was her kind soul. She is sorely missed and it was so hard to let her go but it was harder to see her start to struggle and know that she was ready to go.
I'm so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Willow. What a wonderful life you shared. Run free Willow. xxx
