Look! Beertjie ate a WHOLE packet of fudge so I caught him for...

Look! Beertjie ate a WHOLE packet of fudge so I caught him for you! Of course, I had none at all…

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My thoughts are with you right now. Sending my love. Xoxo.

Thank you for your thoughts, and sorry it took so long to reply xxx

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I'm so sorry for your loss...

Thank you Anonymous xx

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Loki and I are so very sorry for your loss :'(

Thank you both. Sorry it’s taken so long to reply xx

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Aww why do you have to get spa baths all the time? :/

The spa baths my sister had every day was part of her ozone therapy. The idea behind ozone therapy is that it helps oxygenate the blood. She had cancer everywhere but also the lungs. It was to help provide quality of life. She crossed the Rainbow Bridge on May 8th.

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I went to the beach today because it is a nice day. She let me...

I went to the beach today because it is a nice day. She let me off leash, so I ran and played in the water by myself. I am self-sufficient.

The sea slopes here because we live at the bottom of the world, so we are at an angle.

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Helping to relocate missing pets in Moore, Oklahomas

Helping to relocate missing pets in Moore, Oklahomas :

Help everyone be re-united!

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I am back at my house now. My pyjamas were left at my town...

I am back at my house now. My pyjamas were left at my town house. Hopefully I won’t be cold tonight!

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Babette’s ashes returned at the weekend.

Babette’s ashes returned at the weekend.

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faerielandcorgi: corgidogsorg: A few tips on how to keep your...

faerielandcorgi:

corgidogsorg:

A few tips on how to keep your dogs safe in the summer!

Also, many of you will be taking your pets in vacation with you, be sure to pack a first aid kit, too. Here are some items that shouldn’t be missing from your kit:

http://www.corgidogs.org/health-nutrition/the-first-aid-kit-for-your-corgi/

Poor Sumiko got a mild case of heatstroke once, be careful with your doggies!! But have a great summer!

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I will watch you. And wag my tail. We are able to multi-task.

I will watch you. And wag my tail. We are able to multi-task.

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I will stare at you accusingly because you gave me an exploding...

I will stare at you accusingly because you gave me an exploding toy to play with. Are you crazy?

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It’s winter. It’s overcast. It’s cold. And he...

It’s winter. It’s overcast. It’s cold. And he is getting ready for work.

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It’s play time! You hold Reindeer and I will try and rip...

It’s play time! You hold Reindeer and I will try and rip it apart as quickly as possible!

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Biscuits in bed? This second home slash hotel is amazing! It...

Biscuits in bed? This second home slash hotel is amazing! It also has a blanket covering service and a never ending supply of food and water - just like home.

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I found a whole box full of Babette’s toys in this room,...

I found a whole box full of Babette’s toys in this room, so I removed three before he caught me with Aapie.

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The human is showing me the Savour Every Moment video.

The human  is showing me the Savour Every Moment video. All I see are dogses. Why do the humans like this. They can’t even run fast in this video! BOL!



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Savour Every Moment (by Petcurean) Title says it all.

Savour Every Moment (by Petcurean)

Title says it all.

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Poor me. First my big sister gets sick and then disappears in...

Poor me. First my big sister gets sick and then disappears in Wednesday and now two of my three humans have gone away with the rectangular things on small wheels.

Perhaps if I stare into the garage they will return. I shall see.

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I have my ‘jamies on already because it is cold. These...

I have my ‘jamies on already because it is cold. These things are comfy to lie on but now he is taking a photo so I shall see what is happening but I can’t look at he directly.

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I have had my morning biscuits. And I have had a weepoo. It is...

I have had my morning biscuits. And I have had a weepoo. It is 11c, so I shall sleep under this thing.

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I am sleepy. So I went onto these things because they feel nice.

I am sleepy. So I went onto these things because they feel nice.

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Mia is in the house! My mother has dropped at Babette’s...

Mia is in the house! My mother has dropped at Babette’s house because she is going away for a week for work.

So I will be with these humans now. I have inspected everywhere but I can’t find my sister. I am Alpha female of this place.

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I am a very quiet girl today. I went to the parlour yesterday...

I am a very quiet girl today. I went to the parlour yesterday and I cried the whole time. Then I was happy to see mom and today she is working from home but I don’t feel very active. So I will just lie here and watch. Babette is not here. It doesn’t feel right.

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Thank-you for sharing your life with us.

One of the last photos of Babette, wheezing on her bed, surrounded by her old, favourite toys and her human family.

Yesterday marked one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make - collectively, 3 of us had to make. After a brave fight with terminal cancer, we had to put Babette to sleep yesterday. She deteriorated rapidly this week culminating in being almost totally debilitated yesterday morning.

She was taken to the vet where she was put on a drip. Her right eyelid was drooping, her legs all skew and she would not walk. Sanel, her vet informed us that her kidneys were failing and the lameness and eyelid were due to the nervous system shutting down. She could be made more comfortable with the drip but the inevitable was imminent.

After sitting with her at the vet, my mom-in-law took Babette to her house at mid day. Elsa is Babette's third parent as Babette and Mia were together almost every day for the past six years or so (Mia is Elsa's baby poodle girl). We got there around 13:00. Babette managed to get up and greet us at the front door, tail wagging and one eye sparkling. I'll never forget this final greeting.

The fact she seemed to be as 'well' as she was a week ago made the decision that much harder but based on what the vet and Elsa had told us about her condition earlier - as well as the cancer symptoms that had become noticeably worse, it was clear what should be done - just a matter of when. Of course, I wanted to have another night with her. Heck, I wanted another 6-7 years more at least, but purely for selfish reasons. I know we all wanted the same - who wouldn't?

Jacques with his girl. The last picture of our baby.

Sanel, from Bergzicht Dierekliniek Big Bay, was called and arrived at the house around 14:15. She was also visibly upset and the four of us sat with Babette on her bed. We confirmed to her what we had decided and, after telling Babette how much we loved her and with all of us kissing and stroking her, Babette's coarse breathing slowed down as she rested her head on Jacques lap. And then she was gone.

Of course, the pain and upset for anyone that has experience death is heart wrenching and really, purely selfish. It's the unleashing of raw emotion - love, regret, happiness, sadness, 'what if?' - all the memories the living have but ultimately and regardless of what one believes does or does not happen after death, Babette no longer suffers from cancer and her little body needs not try and fight it any more. She let us care for her and put up with the daily ozone baths - all in an attempt to make her comfortable and in the small hope of a miracle. But none of that matters any more.

She is was always part of our family and nothing has changed. She is only absent in form. And tragic  and unwanted as it was, the cancer was also part of her. That was her life, time with us and her body.

Being able to say goodbye at home, surrounded by toys, her bed and her family was the best thing - certainly for us and hopefully, less stressful for Babette.

I'm glad I had the opportunity to let her know how much I loved her. Some people don't get this chance. She may not have understood the words but all the anecdotal evidence points to the fact that she knew what we were conveying. We love you Babette.

Babette

23 January 2007 - 08 May 2013

We have to convey our thanks to Sanel at Bergzicht in particular. She has shown compassion, understanding and love - to Babette (who loved seeing her) and to the three of us. Also, everyone else we dealt with at Bergzicht, who went over and above what was necessary to help us find out what was wrong and to deal with the care.

Also to the various specialists and practices - the Animal hospital in Kenilworth and the one in Panorama and to Craig (Babette's homeopath) and Dr Landman (Babette's ozoze therapist) and Sanel's parents for allowing us to steal the special water drops!

The support, love and well wishes from all around the world via the various blogs and social media has been amazing. Our friends and family here in South Africa too, my mother in the UK (who sadly never got to meet Babette). Thank you everyone.

The biggest thank you and love to Elsa and Mia, Babette's human Grandma and poodle sister. The two of you have been as big a part of Babette's life over the six years. Your home was also her home and the past few months would have been impossible without you. Babette was also your girl and I know she loved you very much.

Burgess and Jacques

Bunny, Babette's first and cherished toy.