Remembering dear Geordie

This photo was taken on New Year's Day at Willows Beach. It was my darling Geordie's last day with us. Two days earlier we had to make a tough decision to end his pain and his struggles. His rear end was partially paralyzed and he was in such discomfort that he spent a lot of time whining and moaning in spite of the meds he was on.

New Years Day was so beautiful though. When we got to the beach with his sister Sophie and our friends Linette and Mark he perked right up and walked and even tried to run and pick up a stick. All the while he had a big smile on his face.  But now we are missing him so much.

When our older dog Maggie moved on two years ago it was hard and sad but we still had Geordie to focus our attention and love on. And he truly benefited from that attention. The last two years he has mellowed so much and given us so much joy and laughter and love.  He was a dog with fear aggression issues and was such a teacher to me about dog training and dog behaviour--and the limitlessness of dog love. Once you were in Geordie's "address book" he was your friend for life.

Here he is with his good friend Donna in the camas fields in Beacon Hill Park.

Geordie was never off his leash because he was afraid of kids and other dogs and could be fear aggressive. But in spite of his fears Geordie lived a full and happy life.  He had fourteen happy years with us, learning to play flyball, do freestyle dancing, and playing ball and jumping for the frisbee. He and Maggie came to Mexico with us twice and we spent time up at the Saturna cabin, a place they loved. What a brave hearted dog he was. And how I miss him.

Here are a few photos from earlier times. I treasure these memories.

A tiny puppy with Jamie in 2002

Finally wrested the frisbee away from Maggie and her sister Maddie.

Maggie and Geordie up at the ridge at Saturna

Watching out for squirrels at Haliburton Road

Waiting to catch the ball

 Two views of Geordie showing his big nose and his gorgeous cheeks.

Geordie was lucky enough to be part of a Border Collie pack, consisting of him and his sister Sophie plus our other dog Maggie and her sister Maddie. The dogs loved to get together and walk in some of Victoria's many rural parks.

Geordie and Sophie

Just two years ago Geordie finally overcame his fear of going further than chest-deep into the water and learned to swim. He loved going into the lake to retrieve a stick.

Geordie loved cookies. Here he is putting on his most appealing look as he thinks about cookies.

Playing with Maggie (on a rope)

Geordie as an older dog at Yukon Street.  But to me he still looked almost puppyish at times.

Goodbye sweet Geordie. You can run free now.