Our Past Story ...
Our first dog was called Harvey and he came to us in Feb 1991. He was a Cross-Collie/German Shepherd and just about the best dog you could ever hope for as your first baby. We had a big learning curve with Harvey but he was just one of the dogs that grow with you and your newly developing dog-sense-ability. Unfortunately we had to put Harvey to sleep in January 2008 and he was aged 18 at the time. Although he was a mongrel he had unfortunately inherited the 'bad hips' of his German Shepherd side and these had been bothering him for a while although we had him on 'Metacam' to ease his pain. We knew putting him to sleep was the best and kindest thing that we could do for him, but it will bother me forever, and I never stop questioning my right to do it. I still miss the noises that he made each night while settling down go bed.
Our second baby was Buddy. We decided that Harvey would enjoy a younger companion in his twilight years and so we decided to visit out local Rescue Centre and choose a new pal for him. We decided on a wee cross terrier mongrel who was just the cutest thing we'd had ever seen. We named him Buddy and he was just 12 weeks old when he came home with Mark and I to meet Harvey. Poor old Harvey must have wondered what he had done so wrong to have gained this small and fluffy but biting bundle of fun! Buddy was no problem to train as all of this came directly from Harvey. He was a very well behaved dog from the beginning and didn't do usual doggy things, like steal things from unsupervised plates, although he did enjoy a bowl of spaghetti bolognese and his beard would be a bright orange colour for days afterwards, as this photograph is proof of. He approached all new things with caution and like Harvey to have a go first. I guess he thought that Harvey was his personal bodyguard and taster. He was very playful and loved a rolly-polly tumble on the floor with Mark each night, he never ever played rough though but he did have the most vicious sounding growl whilst playing! Buddy and Harvey have left a massive gap in our lives and we miss them as much today as when we first lost them but we hope that they are both keeping close by. They were best pals within a very short period of time. They were inseparable and each would pine for the other when separated. Thankfully we have many wonderful memories of holidays and trips with them both. They went on at least a one-week holiday each year, usually around Scotland and maybe three or four times a year we would take a long weekend and travel somewhere. They both loved the water and would splash around together and then come and 'shake' all over us with freezing cold water!
After Harvey was put to sleep in January 2008, Buddy was never quite the same. He suddenly became old before his time and grew to be very quiet. He became unwell in July with vomitting and bloody diaorrhea and we visited the vet. He fully recovered after some medication. Or so we thought. Then on Wednesday 24th September he became unwell again with the same symptoms. We took him to the vet in the morning and he responded to the medication. But in the afternoon he deteriorated (labored breathing) and we returned to the vet in the evening and again he was administered additional medication. Unfortunately he passed away at 2.10am on the Thursday morning. He was in no pain and seemed to be in a coma for most of that evening. He died very peacefully. After speaking with vets and other dog owners in the area I believe that he died of parvovirus, although his received his jabs annually. Needless to say, 2008 was not a good year for the Harvey household and the loss of both our beautiful boys was nothing short of devastating for us both.
After Buddy passed away, we knew that we were a 'doggy household' and began our search for another pooch. We knew that we wanted a 'hypo-allergenic' dog (due to my allergies) and began there ... we happened upon the Lagotto Romagnolo breed by complete accident but immediately fell in love with the look and temperament of this little dog. We called the Secretary of the GB Club of Lagotto Romagnolo - Gael - and she put us in touch with another Scottish couple who had recently brought Lottie home to Scotland. We were lucky enough to meet with Carole, Alasdair and Lottie and they told us all about the Lagotto Romagnolo breed and their experiences with Lottie. After our visit and subsequent emails to Carole and Alasdair, we knew that this was definitely the breed for us and called Gael again to find out about becoming owners of a puppy. With her guidance and help we became the proud parents of Archie (Archibald Hamish).
Our second baby was Buddy. We decided that Harvey would enjoy a younger companion in his twilight years and so we decided to visit out local Rescue Centre and choose a new pal for him. We decided on a wee cross terrier mongrel who was just the cutest thing we'd had ever seen. We named him Buddy and he was just 12 weeks old when he came home with Mark and I to meet Harvey. Poor old Harvey must have wondered what he had done so wrong to have gained this small and fluffy but biting bundle of fun! Buddy was no problem to train as all of this came directly from Harvey. He was a very well behaved dog from the beginning and didn't do usual doggy things, like steal things from unsupervised plates, although he did enjoy a bowl of spaghetti bolognese and his beard would be a bright orange colour for days afterwards, as this photograph is proof of. He approached all new things with caution and like Harvey to have a go first. I guess he thought that Harvey was his personal bodyguard and taster. He was very playful and loved a rolly-polly tumble on the floor with Mark each night, he never ever played rough though but he did have the most vicious sounding growl whilst playing! Buddy and Harvey have left a massive gap in our lives and we miss them as much today as when we first lost them but we hope that they are both keeping close by. They were best pals within a very short period of time. They were inseparable and each would pine for the other when separated. Thankfully we have many wonderful memories of holidays and trips with them both. They went on at least a one-week holiday each year, usually around Scotland and maybe three or four times a year we would take a long weekend and travel somewhere. They both loved the water and would splash around together and then come and 'shake' all over us with freezing cold water!
After Harvey was put to sleep in January 2008, Buddy was never quite the same. He suddenly became old before his time and grew to be very quiet. He became unwell in July with vomitting and bloody diaorrhea and we visited the vet. He fully recovered after some medication. Or so we thought. Then on Wednesday 24th September he became unwell again with the same symptoms. We took him to the vet in the morning and he responded to the medication. But in the afternoon he deteriorated (labored breathing) and we returned to the vet in the evening and again he was administered additional medication. Unfortunately he passed away at 2.10am on the Thursday morning. He was in no pain and seemed to be in a coma for most of that evening. He died very peacefully. After speaking with vets and other dog owners in the area I believe that he died of parvovirus, although his received his jabs annually. Needless to say, 2008 was not a good year for the Harvey household and the loss of both our beautiful boys was nothing short of devastating for us both.
After Buddy passed away, we knew that we were a 'doggy household' and began our search for another pooch. We knew that we wanted a 'hypo-allergenic' dog (due to my allergies) and began there ... we happened upon the Lagotto Romagnolo breed by complete accident but immediately fell in love with the look and temperament of this little dog. We called the Secretary of the GB Club of Lagotto Romagnolo - Gael - and she put us in touch with another Scottish couple who had recently brought Lottie home to Scotland. We were lucky enough to meet with Carole, Alasdair and Lottie and they told us all about the Lagotto Romagnolo breed and their experiences with Lottie. After our visit and subsequent emails to Carole and Alasdair, we knew that this was definitely the breed for us and called Gael again to find out about becoming owners of a puppy. With her guidance and help we became the proud parents of Archie (Archibald Hamish).