h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Just got back from the vets. Pode has always been a fairly unhealthy dog, lots of lumps and bumps that the vets have put down to being fatty deposits. But he's been down for the last few days, very lethargic so we checked him into the vets. He has a huge swollen lump in his abdomen, probably cancer in the spleen. So he has had a blood leak and that's made him anaemic and thus lethargic. The vet reckons this has been happening for a while. So will probably be his last weekend, at least accordign to the vet.

Oh no, not the Pode. I'm so sorry FC. Enjoy him while you've got him.

Definitely. It's hit mum pretty hard, but the next dog we get is going to be a rescue dog, so I keep reminding her that he has to pass on so that we can start bringing joy to another dog's life. He's perked up a bit and we've taken him out for a wee walk, which made you think there was nothing wrong, but you can see its fairly imminent.

Its life innit. You just have to take the most from everything while you still can.

Still holding in there is he?

He was the first dag I ever walked by myself. Indeed there were times that only I would do to take him for a walk. I was thinking last night it's almost as if he relaises that the end of a era has arrived as well.

I couldn't bear the thought of getting another dog after Buster goes, that's why I got Beauty so early. Knowing my luck I'll get another five years out of Buster, and then Beauty will go at the same time.

J wants a chihuahua - he's reading a lot of dog books at the moment, and really preparing for 'ownerhood'. I'd rather not have such a small dog, but when we watch 'It's me or the dog' he often spots what problems the owners are causing their dogs, so I think he'd make a good owner.

Just not yet!!

I hope you and your family get to take Pode out on a few more walks before he's off to that big doggy-run in the sky.

We watched the sunset together from his bed, then he took himself off to be in the kitchen. He passed on about an hour ago. At least he is without pain and if there is anything after this life he's making my mum's mum very happy right now.

Death really makes you take stock of your life. Make sure every moment is as good as it can be.

I'm glad I got to see him one last time yesterday afternoon. And ne gave one last response to me calling him.

We're off to get a mad cap rescue dog this weekend, its just too hard to be sans doggy... They really bring too much joy to your life

Thanks for the cuddles, I've come to know some pretty great people through my time here!

ooh, that's exciting. A sad reason to have to go, but good to bring happiness to another dog.

Don't forget that older dogs are much more fun than puppies!

Mum wouldnt be able to cope with a pup. So we're off for an older dog that we have to figure out!

Marvelous - don't forget to send me a picture when you've chosen one!

Course I will! I'm really looking forward to it.

Well, just back from the rescue centre. There's this lovely dog, Troy, 14 months old, an ex-farming collie. He just came in the other day because he cant do the work and his old family need a working dog. We couldnt actually take him for a walk because they have to be in for 5 days before they let him be with members of the public. The guys in the centre advised us that it was better to get a younger dog than an older dog as that fits better with our lifestyle.

So, Wednesday I have to take a day off work and we can go see him. He's lovely though - really cuddly. He almost fell over trying to get a cuddle from Mum!

Its the worst thing I think I've ever had to do in my life though. There are three sets of pens, and though the dogs are well looked after and there is a lot of space and sofas and things for them, every one I looked at I felt I betrayed because I couldnt take them home. At least I can promise a good life to one of them. Hopefully!

So, if we decide Troy is the one (and I think he may well just be the little scamp!), they'll come round the house, see the area for walks and see if we are good enough to adopt him. I just really hope it works out.

Actually, I think it's terrible that they let you in! Most of the rescue centres I've been involved with (only two!) won't let people in. They interview them, and present them with suitable dogs for their lifestyle for them to choose from.

It's too hard on the heart to look at all the dogs. I did see inside the Greyhound kennels, but luckily they pretty much all looked the same! I did think that the mutli-coloured dogs looked much prettier than the black ones (Beauty is black) but of course I'm not buying an ornament! In the end I just wanted to give a good home to a dog.

I hope that things go well on Wednesday! Border collies do wear you out though - my mum's is a cross and she's a nightmare. I was babysitting mum's dogs today as she was out all day, and I thought she'd got stuck in a bramble bush in a ditch today. She eventually got out though - soaking wet and filthy, so she's gone home much dryer now, but still very grubby round the edges.