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There have been a few times that I said to myself, I must post some updates on Millie (Hortense). Well its with a heavy heart that I write today. On Friday the 9th of July at 1.45pm our beautiful little puppy was hit by a car while playing ball on our green. She was seriously injured. Myself and Che had to make that awful decision to have her put to sleep. Her poor little neck was broken and her little lungs were punctured, there was just no way we could keep her alive.
She was a real character. We spoiled her rotten, and she used to come upstairs in the morning and climb under the covers for a cuddle. We couldn’t walk down the street with her without people commenting on how fabulously beautiful she was. She had a real collie way of behaving when she was hunting, dropping to the floor but she looked like a spaniel in her face. She was just so pretty. She was beginning to develop into the woman she was going to be. Her bark had deepened and she had got so big! Her paws were huge and she was a clumsey thing. Sliding after the ball when she over shot it. There are too many good things to say about her, she had a great life with us. She was known by all in our area. And all of our friends loved her.
The day after she died it was my hen, as Che and I are getting married in 3 weeks. I decided to go ahead with the day because I wanted to celebrate her life and be with friends who would make me laugh. It was the funniest, saddest hen I think there has been. 40 woman who all knew our little flower were crying at some point in the evening. It felt good to share my grief with so many people.
Millie Jackson is so sadly missed by Che and I. We are completely heartbroken and feel so much grief. We know the grief will subside and when we think of her we smile. She made us both so proud, we feel like we have lost our little girl.
I will put some photos of her up over the next while so you can appreciate her little face. And to all who have one of Hopes girls, enjoy her as I am sure you are.
x Liz and Che.Hi Deb,
We got Millie her second vacination on saturday 1st of May. Millie is doing great, still biting and going rasher at times during the day. We have figured out that when she does that she needs playtime, interactive play time. Myself and che play ball with her where we sit opposite each other other about 3 or 4 meters apart and pass the ball and she tries to steal it. She loves that game and I think it teaches her that we are the leaders of the pack, and its fun. Today I took her on an enormous walk, all the way from cabra to rathmines to my studio. Met loads of people who just cuddled her on the street. It is so nice and socialable to stop and talk to strangers and hear their stories of their dogs and be given advice. She is great with people and kids, and very good on the lead. Getting her used to all sorts of new things, smells and noises. She is absolutely bunched after her epic journey and is passed out on the couch now. Hits home how much these dogs crave exercise and how it benefits them. We are in love with our big Milie and her wonderfully long eyelashes. Hopes babies are the luckiest puppies. xWell….
We have settled on a permanent name, Millie. So that’s it, have it for 4 days now so its sticking. Thank you to all who gave me advice, I went out and bought Gwen Baileys Perfect Puppy. What a great book. Myself and Che have been reading over each others shoulders for the last few days. On Tuesday night we put Millie downstairs for the first time for the night. She cried for an hour and a half! But we left her and didn’t go down. A friend gave us a really good tip, before we put her in the kitchen for the night, he told us to put her in and shut the door for 5 minutes, and then let her back out, and to do this a few times over the evening to prepare her for sleeping alone. Also I bought a kong and stuffed it with a few little treats, brilliant idea. The next day she was so excited to see us, and was so good all day yesterday, even her fierce biting has calmed down. And the best bit was last night, she went into her bed in the kitchen all by herself and there was not even a single peep out of her! We honestly think someone swapped her overnight with a well behaved replica!
As this is myself and Che’s first dog together, the learning curve is huge. We both grew up with dogs, but have never been the sole carers, and when we see such a dramatic change over night in Millie, its incredibly fulfilling. She is such an beautiful, intelligent and independent dog. I think Che is going to marry her instead of me in July. The toilet training now needs our full attention, and we just have to be very vigilant about bring her outside every hour to do the business. Hooray for routine and boundaries! Never thought I’d say those words in the one sentence.
Liz.Hi Debo.
We have been so undecided over a name, Ellie didn’t stick, I think we had one for every day we have had little Hortence. I think we are settling on Millie, but who knows! I bought puppy Science Plan food and give her 240grms a day, which is the recommended amount, as it says on the bag. Our little girl whines when she has finished hoovering up her food and then cries and paws the press the food is kept in. As if she hasn’t gotten any food at all. Cheeky mare. We devide the food into 3 meals a day. She got diahoria on Tuesday and was vomiting until 3 in the morning. Poor thing, All better now. 24 hours with no food to expel the bug and then boiled chicken and rice. She loves that! (Thanks Justine for that tip). She is very bitey with me at times, and just loves to bite my zips and hangs out of my jeans, and if I have flip flops on she bites my toes-which is really sweet except her teeth are like needles! Anyone got any advice on the biting thing? Otherwise she is a very contented little girl, very independent and does not like to be told what to do. The toilet traing is not going to well, anyone got any tips on that too? She just isnt getting the paper thing at all. if there is a tiny gap on the floor with no paper she will just pee there.
Anyway she is a beauty.
Liz.We took Hortense (Ellie-we have named her) home on Sunday. Lovely little girl. She is a whiner when it comes to food. She would eat her way into tomorrow. Hoovers up her food. Very gentle and loves cuddles. We are noticing she is competitive at times when we play tug with her. And her teeth are so sharp! We look after my folks shih tzu lucky sometimes and his little teeth are like grains of rice in comparison. She is very clever and played her finest card on her first night with us. Cried and cried until we let her sleep on the bed with us, and then she just snuggled up and passed out. And last night when she came up stairs she got straight on the bed and fell asleep. That’s the end of that so. Ah well she is adorable. And getting myself and Che up a lot earlier, which is nice. Beginning paper training, she has found her spot to do her poo-right in front of the fridge door! And when she wakes up in the morning (6.30) one of us takes her straight down to the garden to do her business. No accidents on the bed-so far. Great little girl, is just adorable. cant wait to get her second shot so we can take her on walks and show her off to our canine and human neighbours. I think she’s a cross between a princess and a tomboy, so sweet and so bold all at once. We are delighted with our little ellie. Thanks Barbara for taking care of her and harriet (which I almost took aswell!) and lovely Hermione.
Liz.
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