It is easy to accept that the animals in nature documentaries do things differently. Nature red in tooth and claw does not shock us but somehow we expect our domestic pets to be different. Anthropomorphism is rife in our dealings with them and we expect so many human characteristics that are just not there.
That may well be and we know that our feelings are self-centred but today our hearts are broken as Scamper has left us for a new home.
The truth is that we have too many dogs. Soon we will be moving into rented accommodation, having accepted an offer on the house; an extremely low offer but the only realistic chance of escaping. The next move will be to the US and realistically we can only have at most one dog and a placid, easy to care for dog at that (i.e. not a terrier).
On Wednesday we received an email from one of the people who bought a puppy from the last litter. Their family was growing too and they needed a companion for Chester (one of Pip's). It seemed like fate had intervened - we suggested Scamper and they immediately accepted. These are people we know and people who have looked after one of our pups for nearly two years.
Scamper we know is completely independent and can take on any challenge. In a way I'd love to think that she will pine for us or think about the past but it's total and utter nonsense. If she is loved, fed, fussed and can play with Chester from dawn till dusk her needs are met and she will happily transfer to running a new pack.
When they came to pick her up she ran straight towards them and jumped up their legs wagging her tail as if greeting long lost friends or former owners. As we chatted about the details of her vaccinations and forms and she realised it might take a while she sauntered off to the sofa and had a little stretch on her back by herself. Then the lead came out and she was straight over to them brimming with happiness.
I couldn't look as she left but I'm told she did look back, curious to know whether we were coming. But that would be it - she was in the box and off on her next adventure.
It has been five years of amazing adventures with Scamper. She has given us puppies, affection and driven us to the point of distraction more times than I can remember. The day we moved into Field View she buggered off into the impenetrable field of rape after a rabbit. I told Jay I wouldn't be coming back without her and two hours later I finally found her walking about the place as if she knew where she was or what she was doing. As I carried her back in my arms she saw another rabbit bolt and did everything she could break free after it again.
She will be happy and we can continue to get on with our lives and all the steps we need to take to expand our family. It is in fact a happy day but that will only become clearer later. For the moment our hearts are broken but our memory banks are full of the impact created by one little free spirit. Even if it is a one-way street, we love you Scamper and always will.
