----- Original Message -----
 From: Another Old Codger
 To: Foot and Mouth Group ; Farmtalking Email
 Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2004 5:20 PM
 Subject: [farmtalking] Benji (4)

 Our beloved Ben Ji died quietly in his sleep early this morning at home. He
 was having difficulty breathing yesterday afternoon, so he was taken to the
 Vet again, who found that his heart was racing and gave him an injection to
 slow it down. He was due to see her again this morning. But, Ben Ji being,
 as ever, Ben Ji, decided it was time to join his friends. He gave us the
 pleasure of his company yesterday evening and then went quietly to sleep
 never to wake. The Vet has tried so hard over the last three weeks,
 including several days in hospital on a drip, which didn't seem to worry
 him. We all thought that there was a chance.

 Ben Ji, (born Intack Dinky Doo, 19–12–1991) was a successful show dog:
 Multiple show winner including 3 Best in Breed. Following a short career as
 a Stud Dog he came to us in July 1992.

 I was inconsolable following the loss of Pat Si, one of our rescue 'Peke'
 bitches, so Joyce contacted the kennels and we were given the choice of nine
 'Pekes'. We chose Dinky Doo. Well, he chose me! He came bouncing over,
 jumped on my lap, greeted me like a long lost friend and home he came. You
 can't really stand at the door calling "Dinky Doo" so Paul gave him the name
 Ben Ji.

 We had never known a dog 'Peke' before. Ben Ji was different, perverse, at
 times bad tempered, at times morose, but mostly a happy dog. He did what he
 wanted to do, ate what he wanted to eat when he wanted to eat it. I was
 'conned' on that first day, he knew a sucker when he saw one. He soon saw
 when the land lay and became Mom's dog. I was useful for showering him,
 (which he loved), drying him when he was wet from the rain, grooming him
 when he felt in the mood to let me. Sometimes, I was allowed to clip his
 claws, but more often than not it needed two of us to hold him down and his
 teeth were much in evidence. And, of course cleaning him up, 'Pekes' have
 finicky stomachs and their back-ends retaliate, not a pretty sight. Years of
 experience have trained me well.

 Mom was the love of his life, everywhere Mom was, there was Ben Ji even if
 there was a door or a gate in the way he lay awaiting her return. He used to
 lie in dark places in the hope of tripping me up. He had a plot, 'Get rid of
 Dad and I can have Mom to myself'. The problem is that as far as I am
 concerned 'Pekes' can do no wrong, and he knew it.

 Where I was appreciated was the caravan. As soon as he saw any sign of the
 'van being prepared he was there, sitting waiting for the 'Off'. He loved
 our holidays, Mom always there where he could see her, as well as new
 sites/sights and smells. He kidded us he didn't like the journey. He didn't
 like it too hot, he didn't mind the rain or wet long grass. Dad had to dry
 him you see and that was a chance to swear at Dad, "Just kidding Dad, I
 didn't mean it".

 Ben Ji came in to his element in the car. No sitting in his 'appointed'
 place for Ben Ji, any barrier was no obstacle. Get to the front if possible,
 otherwise jam yourself under the seat in a space big enough for a hamster.
 Even when Paul was on the back seat with him the battle went on. Comfort
 didn't matter, he had to be where he wanted to be. He wouldn't drink on a
 hot day, unless it suited him; so we carried a syringe and squirted in to
 his mouth.

 A tribute to the Vets in his life, which at times was charmed. Early on he
 had an eye problem which looked as if he would lose an eye. The Vet tried a
 new treatment and his eye was saved. Various other problems throughout his
 life needed the Vets attention. His file is large. This time Barbara the Vet
 has persevered. She is upset too. If Ben Ji had shown any sign of distress
 we would have made the fateful decision, but as Barbara said this morning,
 "He was very good at playing dead, giving us all heart attacks, and then
 perking up".

 So in the end Ben Ji made the decision for us all. He will be buried with
 all our other pets from the past thirty-four years in our Pet Cemetery. We
 have lost count of the pets of family and friends who lie in our peaceful
 little coppice.

 If there are no animals in Heaven, then I don't want to go,
 God Bless Little man, we miss you.

 Love, Ron, Joyce, Paul and the Drew Clan.

 **********************************************
 The country life is to be preferred,
 for there we see the works of God,
 but in cities little else but the works of men.
 William Penn.

 
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