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| Name: |
Paddy
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Age: |
Deceased, Six years old
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| Gender: |
Male |
Breed: |
Irish Wolfhound |
| Home: |
Stirlingshire, Scotland
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Paddy
was born in Kelty Fife, Scotland. He lived with his dad Murphy,
mum, Megan and sister Rosie, the Bribiba Wolfhounds. He was special
because he was the first wolfie I had bred. His nature was fab and I
couldn't find a better friend. He was 39 inches at the shoulder and one
of the biggest in Britain.
Irish wolfhounds are gentle giants and although they are big they do not
need a lot of exercise. They make excellent pets but people must be firm
with them as youngsters or they will take over, as with all dogs
training classes are a great way of socializing , as wolfhounds can be
shy and nervous, I take mine into crowded areas as youngsters and this
helps them to calm down and relax. They also like their comfort and my
dogs have a double bed to sleep on and an old couch to lounge on.
Wolfhounds like to lie around all day watching people. Although they are
not guard dogs the sheer size of them puts anyone off tackling them.
They make great family pets and will look after children, a friend of
mine bought a puppy from me, Paddy's brother Jake, and when her son was
four he decided to visit his grandmother who lived several busy streets
away. Jake was seen shepherding the little boy away from traffic and the
two arrived safely.
Paddy did a lot of charity work along with his family. Every saturday I
would take the dogs to our local town (Kirkcaldy) and we would collect
for children with cancer. The dogs were a great attraction and we easily
took in a hundred pounds in half an hour. Babies prams were pushed close
so that the little ones could put money in the dogs tins, which they wore
around their necks. Sometimes we would visit hospitals and the dogs were
ever so gentle, everyone loved them but Paddy was always the favorite as
he was so big. The photograph is of myself and Paddy, I am 5 foot eight.
Paddy stood about seven feet on his back legs. He would jump up and
place his big paws on my shoulder and give me a bear hug.
He was a Crufts winner and won a lot of prizes in the show ring. He
adored me as much as I adored him and we were never apart, from the day
he was born until he took cancer and had to have his back leg removed.
He was in hospital for two weeks and we were both miserable until he
came home. He coped very well and we had lots of fun and nice outings
until he grew to ill to go out. He looked at me one day to tired to move
and we both knew his time was up. I lost him last year to cancer. I
still cry to this day at the loss of such a wonderful friend. He was
truly magnificent, kind, and gentle. When he died I received cards from
all over the world. I still have his daughter Francesca who is following
in Paddy's footsteps and she does well in the show ring, I hope soon to
hear the patter of tiny paws, I will never replace my lovely boy, but
who knows? Maybe Francesca will give me a new boy like her dad.
I wrote this poem for my Paddy:
Our local vet is in the house but you don't wag your tail
Your breathing's very shallow and you look so frail
There's nothing I can do for you, except to help you go
This is the final kindness I can do for you, I know
You were always by my side, you made me feel so proud
You were so majestic you stood out in a crowd
But now your eyesights failing, your days of fun are gone
When I take you out the house you lay down on the lawn
As I look into your eyes I see the pain within
I lean to you and kiss your nose you lick me on the chin
You know how much I love you, I whisper in your ears
My heart feels like it's breaking I cannot hide my tears
If you could only understand the things I want to say
But now it's time to say goodbye we'll meet again someday
I know this is the last time we'll ever have to part
My lovely Irish Wolfhound, your pawprint's in my heart
Paddy 5.8.92 To 3.12.98
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