Hooligan, beloved . . .

Today we said our goodbyes to Hooligan, Italian Grey, age 17 years, 1 month and ten days . . .
What a journey we had together with this wonderful dog whilst in our care: he belonged to my daughter and when they emigrated to Australia, he came to live with us.
We have known him since he was a teenager: mischievous beyond words, always ready to give any bird a good chase.
When he came to stay with us, 8 years ago, he was in the prime of his life, full of beans - what a joy.
However, our resident Great Dane, Deedle, did not take all that kindly to this bragging, boisterous and cheeky Grey, and soon Hooligan was hospitalised with a nasty bite . . . . his shoulder muscles were torn, probably goodwill/grace from Deedle, as it would not have been any problem to crush this dog in his powerful jaws.
The vet then had Hooligan neutered (to reduce his alpha tendencies); also removed and closed the eye that have been causing trouble for quite some time, tended a torn thumb nail, and last but not least had all the shoulder muscles sewn together!
Two and a half years ago he lost the remaining eye . . and in his blindness, he coped beyond expectations.
He still went outside, on his own, doing what every dog does, but the birds he could no longer see or chase.
His appetite never decreased, neither did he have any other health problems.
Old age was slowly taking its toll, and the back injury from many years ago became a major hassle.
Friday night proved that he was no longer able to conduct himself as he was used to, and early on Saturday morning we realised that the time known as that 'last trip' has come.
Johann called the vet's surgery, and thankfully there was a response - some Saturdays the surgery is closed.
He still had a good breakfast of chicken, milk and water, and  for quite sometime before we left for the surgery, I kept him in my arms, wrapped in a warm blanket, ever stroking his frail body, head and ears.
He was comfortable and as we traveled to the vet, there was a resignation of peace and relaxation, almost as if he knew. . .

We know the vet, a kind man, and he took his time talking to us.
As the dreadful moment arrived, with love and lots of loving strokes, we could release this wonderful dog to join his compatriots waiting at the rainbow bridge.
There were no hassles, it was all over, far too quickly. Thankfully.
He will be cremated and his ashes will lie next to that of Deedle: we hope for reconciliation.

The past few months have not been easy. Sleep became interrupted at and hour of the night . . . yet . . .
Sometimes, many times, I think that the love for an animal goes beyond that for a human being.

He was so special.