G’day from us… Me and Mister C!

Hi there, Me and Mister C hope you are all staying safe and well over this festive season, with the new Covid variant now among us (Omicron). We have had a number of confirmed cases in our town area, and as a family we have continued to wear our masks and wash our hands with sanitiser when visiting shopping centres and the like. I have booked my booster vaccine jab for early February (the only date I could get) and hopefully, Mister C will be able to have his first vaccination early January (fingers crossed). Husband and the girls will be eligible for their booster shots end of February- early March (all the better to fight the virus with, huh?). It is important in my opinion to get the booster in your area, or country as soon as you are able (or eligible) …

Well, this is our last blog for 2021 (yay, I hear you say?!). We look forward to sharing some new stories and experiences in 2022, the New Year of the Tiger (starting from 1st February, ending on 21st January 2023). According to the internet, it is also noted to be a Water Tiger year; where the tiger is known as the king of all beasts in China. The zodiac sign tiger represents as a symbol of strength, exorcising evils, and braveness. Many Chinese children like to wear hats or shoes with a tiger image on the item, to symbolise good-luck (https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-zodiac/tiger.htm). I wonder what 2022 will bring us all (I did hear the number two is a pretty special number?).

Unfortunately, more (very) sad news for our family, with our dear sweet dog ‘Duggie’ passing away peacefully in my arms on Thursday afternoon; two days before Christmas (how sadly unfair for the kids?). Back in April, Duggie was diagnosed with an advanced heart murmur and an enlarged heart. On advice from our vet (thank-you) we started Duggie on heart medication (liquid) and frusemide (to help remove the unwanted fluid around his heart and lungs). This greatly helped Duggie; who responded very well to the meds, with no more cough, a lot more energy and less fluid around his body. Our vet couldn’t say how long Duggie had left with us, but we hoped he would have made it to Christmas and his upcoming birthday on New Year’s Day, when he was to turn the big fourteen (ninety-eight in dog years).

Alas, it wasn’t to be (about eight months later); Duggie began to have vacant (absent) moments, with me nearly tripped over him a few days before he became further unwell. I managed to take him to an after-hours emergency vet, with the girls in our area on Tuesday night (it was nearly midnight); the vet was wonderful and so kind (thank-you!). Husband was still in QLD with Mister C: I had messaged him via my mobile to let them both know what was happening. The vet believed Duggie had been having small seizures and most likely had a lesion on the brain, or another nasty neurological issue that most likely wasn’t going to be treatable at his (older) age. The vet explained what Duggie may experience over the coming days; I was so grateful for the information and kind words, knowing in my heart and mind, we would be able to assist Duggie with his ‘end of life’ care at home.

Without too many (sad) details, we managed to try to push on with most of our Christmas plans, mainly for the kids. Having Widy home with us on the day for the first time in many years was wonderful (Widy usually stayed at her biological Dad’s before Christmas), thank-you sweetheart for being here; it was a pleasant surprise not having to drive anywhere either (one of us usually had to pick up Widy in the afternoon). Catching up with family and close friends was wonderful and took our mind off losing Duggie (even for a few minutes). Husband helped greatly with hugs and kind words (thanks, my rock). It was quite (extremely) difficult pushing on, only two days before Christmas; as we all know, heaven doesn’t wait and knows no particular time…

It was Christmas morning and I woke up missing our dear Duggie boy. Mister C came downstairs, at first, I thought it was Duggie, clicking his little paws on the wooden stairs. Mister C opened the door and said, “Merry Christmas, Mummy, I love you!” He hopped into bed with me for Christmas hugs (Dad was already upstairs). “Merry Christmas, my son. Did you sleep okay? I’m still very sad about Duggie not being here with us.” … “Yeah, me too, Mummy. I know Duggie will have a second chance and come back as another animal, just like Opa. I think Opa is ‘Bruce’, our crazy Cockie! He looks at us and he knows who we are.” … “Yes, you may be quite right! I bet ‘Bruce’ is Opa. You are so clever, my son!” More Christmas hugs and a few little tears together…😌

In memory of our dear Duggie, a few days later the family and I shared a few words together about our best friend. I have put it all together in a poem for him (is a bit sad- sorry). My brain is tired and my heart (still) hurts (sorry); so, no more blog this week, instead I thought you might like to read our family poem, dedicated to Duggie- our wonder dog…

A family poem: in memory of our sweet doggie, ‘Duggie’…

Our first meeting was near Camden, at Renbury Farm,

We instantly became smitten, waiting and hoping no further harm.

Three weeks later, we could take you home,

After having your surgery, you did make a little groan.

We all cared and supported, you had some separation anxiety,

We didn’t mind, your sweet little face showed such joviality.

‘Hey Duggie!’ Mister C did first call out your new name,

Running out past the front door, smiling you always came.

To greet us unconditionally, your second caring family,

Once a lost dog, now wonderful to see you grow-up so happily.

Dad loved how you would joyfully and playfully bark,

When all of us came home from school or the park.

Mister C asked yesterday, “Why did Duggie have to go?”

Sadness all over his face, “I did love him so, very so!” …

“It was his time, my son,” I replied with lots of hugs;

“I miss him so very much too; my sad heart really tugs.”

Flossy quietly wrote, “When it was raining, you needed a place to hide,

I’ll miss you coming in my room and right up by my side.”

Widy whispered, “I loved how Duggie smiled and with his little paws, dug

To make a soft bed in my room, with my furry pink rug.

I miss his cute little face; it certainly makes me sad,

With him not here with us, we’re all just kind of mad…

Duggie was not just a dog, he was a member of our family.

Farewell our sweet little boy; an honour to have known you, actually…💕

A Word from Mister C…

Early December, I took the girls and Mister C to see Santa. The girls grumbled about having to get changed and brush their hair, Flossy replied, “Will track-pants do, Mum?” Mister C jumped up and said, “Yes, please, Mummy, I love him!” Mister C quickly got changed into some clean going-out clothes (not PJ’s this time) and came running back, his hair done and teeth brushed (wow!). After having a special photo with the girls and Santa (at a distance), Mister C came back over to me and gave me a hug, “Thanks for taking me to see Santa, Mummy! He’s looking pretty good; his beard is longer and his belly is bigger- just like Dad’s!” …  

Stay tuned…

For some new 2022 stories soon… We look forward to some rest and relaxation over the New Year (after I work the full weekend) with our (unfortunately short) booked trip up to Wollongong (can’t wait). I am currently working on our fifth book manuscript over the holidays, and I will start the illustrations shortly (a little bit exciting!). Thanks so much for your continued support through this year, please continue to read our blog- without YOU, we wouldn’t have a working blog. Thanks to everyone at home in Australia, including our happy town and to folks overseas, who reside in all of the wonderful and unique countries, that make up our amazing world- let’s keep connected… 💖