Sunday 4 January 2009

I'm almost...Back in the Land of Blog

I did try to blog a few days ago, wishing you all ‘good health, peace and successful writing' etc, but something weird happened.
I inserted a Happy New Year picture I’d downloaded from a free clipart place and when I posted the HNY picture just kept repeating itself. I deleted the post but had to delete each picture separately! There must have been over 100 of them and I swear as I deleted one a new one added itself.

Anyway, because there was also a bit of sad news in that deleted post it’s taken me days to manage to rewrite it.
We’ve had to return Tessa Buttons to her breeder (a friend of the breeder’s is having her and as the friend already has Tessa’s mum, I’m sure Tessa will settle in happily).
Tessa B was fantastic in every way except one. Whatever we tried – and we tried everything we, and others, could think of (except an electric collar) – we just could not stop her from chasing sheep. At first it was just a teeny run towards them and she’d come straight back when called. But then she started to ignore us when we called her and chased them further and further. I suppose some of it could have been down to that sheep who, in Tessa’s early days here, kept running to her for a nuzzle. But whatever it was we couldn’t let it go on because if we had it would have ended in tragedy. At least we rescued her when, at the time, there wasn’t anyone else who could and now she’s gone to her new home fit and healthy (and away from sheep).

Perhaps, as a true professional would, I should try and write it into a magazine story. Maybe one day…

24 comments:

Unknown said...

Happy New Year and many many hugs re the departure of Tessa. My heart is with you but as you say at least she now has another good home.

lx

Jayne said...

Happy New Year! I did wonder why I couldn't find your last blog! Sorry to hear about Tessa but I'm glad you acted before tragedy struck. xx

Annie Wicking said...

You know in your heart of heart you have done what is right for Tessa. She now has a home where she free to be herself and you are free from worrying about her safety, Pat.

I know from experience when my father had to explain to my family when I was a child, why our family dog, Sandy wouldn't be coming home anymore.

He kept running way and worrying the sheep and my father, with the rest of the family use to have to go after him.

Like you, no matter what we did he just kept getting out of the garden until one day we never saw him again only his collar when the farmer returned it to my father.

Best wishes,

Annie

HelenMWalters said...

Oh Pat, I'm so sorry about Tessa. But at least you can take comfort in the fact that you did give her a really good start in life xxx

Jenny Beattie said...

Oh Pat, I'm so sorry to hear about Tessa Buttons. I know you know it's the right thing, but it's still really sad and painful. Lots of hugs. JJx

Lane Mathias said...

So sorry to hear about TessaB but I know you've done the right thing. You did everything you could to train her but some collies will always, always follow their instincts.

You did a great thing for her by giving her a lovely home when she had none. I'm sure she'll settle in really quickly at her new home, with her mum and out of temptations way.

I'm sure you must be missing her dreadfully. ((hugs)) to you m'dear. x

Nell Dixon said...

Hugs on the departure of TessaB but you were the right people in the right place at the right time for her. I'm sure another dog is destined for you. Lots of love and hoping you have a wonderful New Year

Karen said...

It soundike you've done the right thing. Our Molly is part collie and that urge to chase sheep is a strong 'un. When they're in the bottom field we have to keep her firmly on the lead, which she hates.

Very best wishes for the New Year :o)

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Happy New Year to you.

Big hugs, and I hope you're okay after Tessa B's departure, but how wonderful that you rescued her just when she needed you too, and now she's with her mum. x

Anonymous said...

Pat, I'm so sorry to hear this. I know how much you love Tessa. She's become quite a legend in the land of blog.

Speak soon.
CJ xx

Tamsyn Murray said...

Oh that's really sad news but as others have said, you have absolutely done the right thing. She would never understand why she wasn't allowed to run at the fluffy things.

It won't make you feel better yet but you helped her enormously when she needed it.

x x

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

I am sorry to hear about Tessa. I've often wondered how hard it must be to keep dogs away from sheep. In my wanderings across the hills of Britain one thing I have certainly noticed...there are sheep everywhere. I can only imagine how Edward would react to that fact. You can rest easy at least knowing Tessa is at a good home.

All the best wishes for a Happy New Year!!

Flowerpot said...

Oh Pat I'm so so sorry to hear about that. I can only imagine how you feel but as Liz says, at least she has gone to a good home and you were right to do what ou did. Perhaps another dog soon?

Unknown said...

So very, very sorry, Pat. You know you've done the right thing - the *only* thing you could do in the circumstances - but I'm sure it hurts like hell.

Sending hugs over the hill. xx

Honeysuckle said...

Oh, that's so sad, but I'm sure she'll settle happily and you know you did the best thing for her in both rescue and return.

Pat Posner said...

Thank you all for your messages here and for emails, too!

Still a bit sad and missing Tessa B a LOT but, yes, I know we did the right thing.

I'll catch up with all your blogs soon

xxPat

Carol said...

Awww hon...as someone who has just parted with her pets (albeit temporary....6 months) I know just how much it hurts. Take comfort in the fact that you did the right thing and make sure you give yourself lots of little treats when you are feeling down!!

Love and hugs

C x

Fionnuala said...

Hi Pat,Sorry to hear about Tessa, but it sounds like you had no choice. Happy new year to you and yours and I hope all your dreams come true in 2009. Fx

Kate Hardy said...

Happy new year, Pat, and so sorry that you've had to say goodbye to Tessa. Sending big hugs - and echoing what Nell said xxx

Amanda said...

Happy New Year, Pat and hugs at having to say goodbye to Tessa. As everyone says, you have done the right thing and she will be happy with her new owner. And she wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for you! x

DAB said...

Pat, all of the above plus a big (((((((HUG))))))).

Take care m'dear TFx

The Weaver of Grass said...

I am so sorry Pat - and I have just sent you an e mail to say my Tess is off for the snip tomorrow. You are right though - as a farmer's wife I know that sheep-chasing dogs are a menace and are liable to be shot by farmers at lambing time. I do hope she will be happy where she has gone. Best wishes.

Unknown said...

Aw, I'm so sorry to hear that Tessa has gone. But you've done the right thing, even though it's always so hard. xx

CAMILLA said...

I am so sorry to hear about Tessa Buttons, huge hugs to you,I hope that her new owners will take good care of her, so sad when we get attached to our pets and then have to part with them, you made the right decision, very worrying about the sheep.