The Farm Dog

[Dry Rot]

Or the worst of both worlds. Imagine a neurotic, nervous aggressive, heavily moulting dog with bad joints. Most GSDs in this country have dreadful health stats in their lines.

I would not want to own any dog that could be aggressive but was not under strict control. Here is a video of Max in training when he was 18 months old:

As for fitness, Foxy in the photo above is now ten years old and still flying her fences like a steeplechaser. I have never owned such a clever dog and I have had a few.

 

[Fleeced]

Do you do IPO?

 

[Dry Rot]

Do you do IPO?

No. I used to compete in gundog field trials and that cured me of having anything to do with competitions!

 

[Gator]

Took young Zac out while out feeding, get him used to riding

 

[Alicecow]

Very sad day here.

Spencer (named after Frank Spencer for his silly antics), our German Short-haired Pointer cross, was put to sleep this morning. @Mrs Holwell and I are heartbroken. The time was right for him but we miss him badly.

He was born in Ireland and collected from the streets of belfast by a dog warden as a stray in 2006. The GSP rescue society brought him over and we took him on. Our vet thought he was "at least 3 years old" but we don't know exactly which year he was born. He clearly had a hard early life (he often awoke with a start looking frightened in the first year and was terrified if you swung a broom too high ). On arrival his belly skin was very sore, his coat was poor and his muscles were wasted.

With love and good food he thrived. He was always wagging and loved everybody. Several of the nearby houses had uninvited visits from him and most folk loved him. He regularly patrolled the fishing lake here, visiting his fishy friends, seeing what food he could persuade folk to give him.

He was the only dog I know who often snored with his eyes open and, when excited, he could wag so vigorously that he hit himself in the face with his tail. However, the one time we entered him into a "waggiest dog" competition as a surefire winner he got stage fright and went stiff

About 18 months ago he developed fore leg arthritis and was on painkillers. This steadily progressed and yesterday we decided his time had come. We have always held that it's "better to put a dog to sleep a week too early than a day too late" as it's their quality of life that matters most. He met that test today.

RIP Spencer
Everybodies friend
?/?/200? to 31/12/2016

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So sorry to read about Spencer's passing

Did I see him in the GSP Rescue (SW) calendar around 2009/2010 ?

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

So sorry to read about Spencer's passing

Did I see him in the GSP Rescue (SW) calendar around 2009/2010 ?

Not sure but this was his original picture on the GSP Rescue (SW) website that caught our eye

 

[Alicecow]

Not sure but this was his original picture on the GSP Rescue (SW) website that caught our eye

View attachment 453658

He looks scared there. Quite a contrast to the 'at home' photos you posted.

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

He looks scared there. Quite a contrast to the 'at home' photos you posted.

That was taken in the dog pound in Belfast. He probably was scared.

We never once regretted taking him on. We have 10 years of happy, sometimes hilarious, memories of him. A true character.

 

[Alicecow]

That was taken in the dog pound in Belfast. He probably was scared.

We never once regretted taking him on. We have 10 years of happy, sometimes hilarious, memories of him. A true character.

Hopefully Thorn will bring you as much happiness as Spencer did

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Hopefully Thorn will bring you as much happiness as Spencer did

Thank you.

This is how we like to remember Spencer and Matty (who we lost in 2015).

 

[Jewells]

Thank you.

This is how we like to remember Spencer and Matty (who we lost in 2015).

View attachment 454038

Aaw bless him and he has a shape of a heart on his side

 

[Ben M]

My old springer is having a nights stay at the vets tonight, he had a large lump taken out and was alot more co plex removal then they planned. Really miss him. Our young cocker doesnt know what to do with himself, they have never been apart before and it shows. Crikey dogs know how to play with yiur emotions hey!

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

My old springer is having a nights stay at the vets tonight, he had a large lump taken out and was alot more co plex removal then they planned. Really miss him. Our young cocker doesnt know what to do with himself, they have never been apart before and it shows. Crikey dogs know how to play with your emotions hey![/QUOTE]
Don't they just!

Hope all's soon well.

 

[JP1]

The collies like a bundle first thing in the morning

 

[Ben M]

According to the vets he had a good night, im picking him up later this morning [emoji5]

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

According to the vets he had a good night, im picking him up later this morning [emoji5]

Good news so far then.

 

[JP1]

 

[Ben M]

Well the old boy came home yesterday, still pretty groggy but he is happy to be home and wondering around

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Well the old boy came home yesterday, still pretty groggy but he is happy to be home and wondering around

good news.

 

[JP1]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=952686651532677

These two dogs were both adopted and now inseparable