LadyGascoyne
Still Fig-uring it out...
I have been meaning to introduce our fabulous Border Collie, Rio for quite some time now and have finally got around to it. Rio is the most intelligent animal I have ever met. He knows all the family by name and can "fetch" everyone. He knows what keys are for and which keys mean that someone is going on a car journey- and insists on joining! He waits quietly at restaurants and has even become so well-known at a few that he gets his own bowl of ice. He's lovely to horses, cats, rabbits and other dogs. He can work out if you're feeling down in about 2 seconds and will entertain you know end. And he had been my dad's constant companion and loyalist friend throughout his cancer treatment.
So introducing Rio!
When my dad lost his old collie, Chess, at 16, he was totally heartbroken. After a few years, I decided it was time to get him a little friend and at Christmas, I drove out to a farm in the middle of nowhere to find this little guy;
My parents were living in Cape Town, South Africa for the majority of the year at this point so little guy (Rio) grew up to be a proper beach-dog...
And dragged us up many a mountain with his unwavering enthusiasm...
And commandeered the front seat of my little convertible MG as his own personal ride...
And stole my fiance every day for Frisbee sessions...
But, life being as it is, Cape Town days of summer came to a sad end when my dad was diagnosed with cancer and decided to go back to the UK to be with the family and recover. William and I were living 800 miles away in Johannesburg at this point and we couldn't keep him in a city apartment. So it was decided that little dog would make a big journey "over the pond" to England.
He was marvelous- he traveled brilliantly and impressed all the staff at Heathrow's ARC no end! He was over the moon to see my parents.
First day in the UK:
He loved the English summer...
And boldly took winter in his stride..
Well, mostly...
He's going into this third year of UK life now and couldn't be happier. I owe this little dog the world- he's been there for my dad when I've been miles away, he's been company for my mum when my dad couldn't speak. He's truly a little hero and just makes every day better and I can't WAIT to see him when I get home!
For now though, Skype will have to do!
So introducing Rio!
When my dad lost his old collie, Chess, at 16, he was totally heartbroken. After a few years, I decided it was time to get him a little friend and at Christmas, I drove out to a farm in the middle of nowhere to find this little guy;
My parents were living in Cape Town, South Africa for the majority of the year at this point so little guy (Rio) grew up to be a proper beach-dog...
And dragged us up many a mountain with his unwavering enthusiasm...
And commandeered the front seat of my little convertible MG as his own personal ride...
And stole my fiance every day for Frisbee sessions...
But, life being as it is, Cape Town days of summer came to a sad end when my dad was diagnosed with cancer and decided to go back to the UK to be with the family and recover. William and I were living 800 miles away in Johannesburg at this point and we couldn't keep him in a city apartment. So it was decided that little dog would make a big journey "over the pond" to England.
He was marvelous- he traveled brilliantly and impressed all the staff at Heathrow's ARC no end! He was over the moon to see my parents.
First day in the UK:
He loved the English summer...
And boldly took winter in his stride..
Well, mostly...
He's going into this third year of UK life now and couldn't be happier. I owe this little dog the world- he's been there for my dad when I've been miles away, he's been company for my mum when my dad couldn't speak. He's truly a little hero and just makes every day better and I can't WAIT to see him when I get home!
For now though, Skype will have to do!
