Patch

With Possum’s passing there was a gap in our home, and so we decided we would start looking for another Cocker Spaniel to buy.

We didn’t want to spend a fortune, and we didn’t want to start with a puppy, so we hoped we could happen upon an abandoned adult dog we could give a home, but it seems we were always too late to contact whenever we heard of one available.

Donna had been looking on Gumtree and saw an ad for a Chinese Crested puppy. I rang on the Sunday night but it had been bought that morning. I asked the lady if they had any others. She said that they did but it was an adult, and they were just about to put it up for sale but hadn’t done it yet.

It turns out this 12 month old desexed male was the great great nephew of our old Chinese Crested dog, Rocky, who died back in 2008, and the lady I was speaking to was the same one who first introduced me to Chinese Crested dogs back in 1993 when she rang me protesting Council’s idea to build a roundabout outside their home (it was never built in the end).

They had since moved to the country, but as another CC fan was interested in this dog, we hopped in the car Monday morning and by 11am we were heading home with Patch – official name Xioma Cold Heat, who was unwanted by the CC breeding & showing community as he has one blue eye and one brown eye, and sable colourings. As if we cared!

So, our family once again has the mischievous, lovable and unreservedly loyal company of this curious breed (he is a Cobby Powderpuff for the experts), something else to annoy the cat, and another story for my Pet’s Page.

Please tell us your story!

Poncho

Our beloved dog Poncho (Jack Russell X) passed away 3 weeks ago of a severe cough. Poncho came to us after our grandson was diagnosed with Rhabdomysarcoma cancer of the muscle of the eye, Austin could not keep his dog because they were renting at the time. We were happy to take Poncho and care for him until the time was right for them to take responsibility again.
That time never came as he was part of our household, Poncho was an amazing dog everyday he surprised us with his beautiful nature, when I arrived home from work he was at the door with his leash in his mouth waiting for his daily walk around the lake at Northgate.
I miss him terribly as he was a soul-mate, he was 13 when he passed away, his cough was so severe that I could not take him coughing and finally at 2.30 am Monday morning took him to the 24 hour hospital at Golden Grove, the vet examined him and said that he had only 2 hours to live, what a shock I expected medication and to take him home, that was not to be, I had to make the hardest decision to have him euthanased, out of kindness this was done and I took him home, the next day we had a family gathering to farewell Poncho he now rests in a marked grave in our back yard. RIP Poncho we loved you until the end.

– From Terry Atkins of Northgate

Possum

The last photo taken of our beloved Cocker Spaniel, Possum, before he passed away from cancer.

I started campaigning for a Dog Park in our area in the year he was born – 1999, and last year the LJ Lewis Dog Park was opened.

Possum loved coming here. He also loved being on the couch, in bed, in the kitchen, next to the heater, on Donna’s lap, under the patio table…

— at LJ Lewis Reserve