BLAKE

Share your story about your rescued dog - good or bad!

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Blakey
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BLAKE

Post by Blakey »

10th September 2005, the day that changed our lives forever. The day that our little black bundle of fur bounced into our lives aged 10 months old.

Blake came home with us that day and we soon found out that as mad as he was, he was also the most nervous, scared little dog ever. He didn’t know how to play, he didn’t know what a ball was (but that soon changed !), when he ate it was like he was never ever going to get another meal again and he was frightened of everything. We soon gained his trust though and before long it was as if he’d been with us forever. He soon realised how to play us though, we listened to all of the advice about making sure he stayed downstairs to sleep but after a week of howling after we’d gone to bed, I felt so sorry for him that before long, his basket was on the landing, I left the bedroom door open so that he could see me and soon after that, he progressed to lying on the floor by the side of the bed. I woke up one morning and he wasn’t by the bed, he wasn’t in his basket, I flew downstairs and he wasn’t down there either. Sheer panic took over as I couldn’t find him. I came back upstairs and lo and behold, the cheeky monkey had found his way into the spare bedroom and was sprawled full length on the double bed. That room then became “Blake’s room” and is where he slept until his first bout of illness struck.

He had a such quirkiness all of his own and some very strange foibles. When getting in the car, he would only get in on the drivers’ back side door, he would never approach from the front of the car, he always had to walk right the way round the back of the car to get in. He wouldn’t walk through a half opened door, it had to be fully opened for him. He absolutely adored going to the vets to the point of crying outside the door when it wasn't his turn to go in. We were never allowed to play music in the car as he sulked if we did, he didn’t like football on the telly, if you had a cough or a cold, you had to stifle the coughs and sneezes as he couldn’t weigh those up at all. He didn’t like the wind and rain and he was scared of the dark. His biggest issue though was fireworks – bless him, he was absolutely terrified and the number of nights he sat and shook with fear we’ve lost count of.

We were sat talking the other night about the places we’d been with him and my goodness was he well travelled, there isn’t a park or a field in the area that we didn’t walk him in at one stage or another. We met so many people whilst out and about and everyone knew Blake, they knew him but could never remember OUR names.

The day he learnt to swim was a revelation. We were walking in one of the parks near us that has a boating lake in it, took our eye off him for one second and just saw the leap that he took at the water. He went in and didn’t come back up again. I shouted at Darren that he’d have to go in after him, he half had his coat and shoes off when Blake suddenly popped his head up in the water not far from where he’d gone in and started paddling like mad to get back to shore. Quite a sight I can tell you.

2011 was the year that changed things for my manic, happy go lucky boy. He ruptured the cruciate ligament in his back leg. We nursed him through, the vet telling us to “keep him still and rested,” much easier said than done, but we did it and just as we got him sorted, 13 weeks later his second one in his other leg ruptured. We got him through the second surgery and after that he did slow down quite significantly, but, his head was telling him otherwise. He’d wander about with his 2 tennis balls in his mouth (NEVER just one for Blake, he’d always had two right from the very early days) and was known affectionately as “Blakey Two Balls.” Given half the chance he’d have been off racing after those balls – that’s what he lived to do – he thought it was his sole purpose in life to chase his balls.

Sadly, as you all know, my special boy lost his very brave and courageous battle on Friday 7th February at 6.35pm at only 9 years old. He was so very poorly at the end, it all happened within 3 days and as much as I battled to save him (and I DID battle for him, I was willing to try anything), it just wasn’t meant to be. He was in end stage liver failure, the symptoms only showing themselves right at the very end when nothing could be done to save him. He was so very, very tired, all the life had gone from his face and he looked at me and told me it was time to go. He went through so much illness in his short life, more than any one dog should ever have to go through and never complained about any of it. I held him in my arms whilst he drifted away and then brought him home for one final night. I first of all took him to the place where he loved to play the most and sat with him in the car for 15 minutes with his 2 tennis balls by his side. I lied with him all night just talking to him and stroking him. He was cremated on Saturday and came home to me today.

I miss him so much but know that I did the kindest thing I could for him.

I could sit here and write all night about the daft things he’s done and the daft things we’ve done with him but I don’t think there’s enough room on the website.

It was because of Blake that I found Labrador Rescue. When I first got him, I was looking on the web just for general information on owning a labrador and found the website. Since then I have made so many friends on the site and over the years those friends have been a constant support to us, especially now when I’m at one of the lowest points. Thank You to everyone for your kind words and for keeping us in your thoughts. I've also posted a small slideshow of him at the bottom of the post.

Love



JOANNE

XXX


http://s760.photobucket.com/user/Blakester2/slideshow/
Last edited by Blakey on 12 Feb 2014, 10:07, edited 4 times in total.
Blake - My Special Boy, Forever In My Heart
12_paws
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Re: BLAKE

Post by 12_paws »

Oh Joanne, my heart goes out to you. You write so beautifully about Blake.
Your boy was so loved, loved you right back and had a great life with you.
These wonderful memories and his gorgeous pictures will be a comfort to you in time,
'My spirit is free, but I'll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart'.

For you :love3:
Des x
Last edited by 12_paws on 12 Feb 2014, 18:43, edited 1 time in total.
Des x

Desley and Finn
Harley & Diesel, safe in my heart
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Aileen
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Re: BLAKE

Post by Aileen »

Dear Joanne,
What a beautiful tribute to such a well loved boy. Your adoration for Blake shines through in your words and it is clear that he worshipped you, too.
We never have them long enough, our fur babies, but last week you made the hardest, yet kindest, decision to let your boy go with his dignity intact.
Blake will always be with you, Joanne, in your heart and in your soul.
Sending you love and hugs,
Love,
Aileen xx

"You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us."
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Re: BLAKE

Post by Megsmum »

Oh Joanne, my heart is breaking for you and I can hardly see through the tears to write this.
What a wonderful tribute to your darling handsome boy. You were so lucky to be a part of each other's lives.
Thinking of you :love3:
Run free at the Bridge, dear Blake :love2:
Helen and Merry x

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Remembering my beautiful Meg 1992-2008 and my darling Mollie 2009-2018
Joe + Hilary
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Re: BLAKE

Post by Joe + Hilary »

Joanne, I have just read your lovely tribute to Blake. What a super and big personality he had, no wonder you love him so much. He pictures are also lovely and I particularly like the one with his two tennis balls. Our William Bassett also liked two and was known as "Willy 2 tens" sometimes, he looked like a chipmonk.

I know how broken hearted you are, comfort yourself with how Blake knew how loved he was and with all the memories of his time with you and all the places you have been together.

Hilary, Tuppence & Rowley
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Glenys
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Re: BLAKE

Post by Glenys »

A Perfect tribute Joanne to a very special boy he found you when he needed you and you loved him and gave him confidence and a wonderful life it doesn't matter how short or long life is it is what you do with that life that's important you enriched his and he enriched yours and as you say through loving him you made friends and you helped so many dogs through your support and friendship to us and he will always be there simply put our beloved dogs only have a short life span in comparison to ours but what they give us is pure love and devotion which doesn't stop when they leave us.
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Willow
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Re: BLAKE

Post by Willow »

Such a beautiful tribute Joanne, it was a privilege to read about your relationship with your beloved Blake :love2:
Remember nothing loved is ever lost and you loved him with all your heart xx
Joanna & Toby xx
Willow, my labrador soulmate, my one in a million..
Jan 2003 - May 2011

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coco-bean
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Re: BLAKE

Post by coco-bean »

Joanne,

Your words are beautiful, Blake's pictures are more beautiful.

You can see how much he meant to you.

:bighug: :love3: for you.
Debbie, Coco, Kinder & Buttons XXX

Who ever said diamonds are a girls best friend..... Never owned a Labrador or three
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jackiem
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Re: BLAKE

Post by jackiem »

Oh Joanne. I'm so touched with your lovely tribute to Blake - smiling at his little foibles but in tears at your loss.
My heart goes out to you both. xx
Jackie
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Re: BLAKE

Post by JoanG »

What a superb tribute to your handsome boy, Blake :love5: . Your love for each other just shines out through your words and what a wonderful life you gave Blake after his awful start. He returned your love for him with his antics and has given you all these happy, funny memories which will stay with you forever.

Through owning Blake you found Glenys' incredible Rescue and have then gone on to help so many other labs with all the fund raising you have done, that is also a wonderful tribute to your beloved Blake - a gorgeous ambassador for this great breed.

Thinking of you Joanne and Darren :love3:

Run free dear Blake with your tennis balls xx

Love

Joan x
Joan and George x
Lins
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Re: BLAKE

Post by Lins »

Misty eyed here too. Wonderful tribute and a very obvious wonderful partnership. :love5:

I agree with Glenys, it's not how long you have them, it's what you do and achieve with them. Blake was a much loved member of the family, and he will never wander far from your thoughts. Fabulous piccys of Blakey Two Balls :love2:

Run free with your two balls Blake. :love4: :love4: :love4:
Lins, Molly and Scooby

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Re: BLAKE

Post by Johndale »

Thank you for sharing the story of your relationship with Blake and his life. He was indeed a very fortunate dog to find a couple who understood him so well and gave him so much scope to develop his talents. Above all it was the love you gave him which radiates through everything you say about him. You provided him with the best life that any dog could wish for and, as others have said, he will always be with you in your hearts.

John & Teddyxx
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Re: BLAKE

Post by Gemma T »

Oh my goodness Joanne, what a beautiful tribute to your lovely lad.

He was a very special boy.
Lots of love
Gemma xxx
Yvonne Walsh
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Re: BLAKE

Post by Yvonne Walsh »

We have never met but I shed tears reading your beautiful tribute to your lovely Blake. What a handsome boy! He was a lucky boy to be loved so much. I know you will be feeling so much pain right now, I hope that your wonderful memories bring you some comfort. X
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mollie
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Re: BLAKE

Post by mollie »

Blake couldn't have found himself in a more perfect home. His very particular little ways made him the character he was and made him special. :1958: He was so lucky to have a life where he was allowed to be Blake, and where no-one tried to change him.

A lovely tribute, full of happy memories. He'll never leave your heart :love2:
Mr Bumpy, Jess and Tilly always in our hearts xx

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Marge and Jess x
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