Sympathy & cleaning tips required.....

[Spanielmadlady]

On Friday 3rd May we said goodbye to Millie our 15 Yr old spaniel. She got me through so much over the years from the death of my OH in 2009 to becoming seriously ill in 2013 with what we now know was Lupus. Saying goodbye was made harder as we only lost Marley in sept.Along came Hugo in October and he is such a joy.......until this afternoon. You should of seen the state of my bathroom. Surely he would be a contender for the dirtiest dog . Cleaning tips welcome ! Love n hugs SML xxx

[Bowenlady]

What an amazing photo! I am so sorry for the loss of Millie and Marley. Nobody realises the pain we go through when we lose our loving, loyal, trusting confidantes unless they are an animal lover too. When I lost my beloved Max in 2020 I was devastated. I had all that Covid scary time mourning his loss. Hugo looks fun loving and naughty at the same time. I hope he brings you the love and companionship we have found from our gorgeous little Maltipoo, Olga. Lovely to hear from you again. I’ve been away from the forum for a while but had to respond to you. Big hugs to you both. X

[Spanielmadlady in reply to Bowenlady]

Thank you Bowen. Marley was 13.5 when we lost him 3 weeks after i lost my mum . I wasn't looking for another but saw Hugo who was up for rehoming aged 5 months after he was returned to his breeder...theyd not had a dog before .he wasnt house,lead or name trained. Only had him 4 days when I fell over him and broke my elbow. They leave such a void don't they...as someone said to me they are family you can choose. He is comical especially the way he sleeps .fingers crossed its another 13 yrs before we need to go through this again.I hope you are keeping as well as can be and give Olga a tummy tickle and ear scratch from me . Xx🤗

[honeybug]

🤗♥️🕊🙏🕊

[Spanielmadlady in reply to honeybug]

🤗 x

[marypw]

You love them so much and it really hurts when you have to say goodbye. But you always know they had a great, happy life with you.

We said goodbye to Henry, our big fat British Blue last summer and it took me ages to stop looking for him in the morning!

I’m sure Hugo had a great time getting muddy - maybe a watering can with warm water before you let him in the house? We have a downstairs shower so Freddie (mini labradoodle) gets cleaned up in there, even though he hates it.

[Spanielmadlady in reply to marypw]

Sorry to hear you lost Henry. Hugo was looking for millie on Saturday but for me it's seeing her blanket and empty bed. We have a communal green at our back gate and I got a watering can but he got away as i still have problems with the elbow I broke...it hasn't healed . So he ended up.in a drying coat until I could get him into the shower later on . A clean walk is on the cards today lol x

[marypw in reply to Spanielmadlady]

Hugs to you and Hugo x

[Spanielmadlady in reply to marypw]

Thanks...I need one x

[Bobbydoodle]

Awe I know that pain well it’s brutal. I felt literally lonely when I lost my boy even though I don’t live alone 🤷🏻‍♀️

Thank goodness for Hugo he will make you smile even when you’re grieving I’m sure x

Edit to say just read you rehomed Hugo thank goodness he found you and got his forever home 😊

[Spanielmadlady in reply to Bobbydoodle]

I awful isn't it 😞. I still have my youngest at home. He was in bit as she sat on his knee in the car and he carried her in.Hugo was clearly meant to come along when he did x

[LalSD]

What a handsome guy! I think you need to get builders in to change the bathroom😊. They make everything worth it. Enjoy the cleaning.. xx

[Spanielmadlady in reply to LalSD]

He is better looking when white. In a 150 Yr old cottage changing the bathroom isn't an option lol x

[bookish]

Thinking of you both and sending hugs. Can't imagine you without Millie and Marley, also my sympathies on the loss of your mum. Hugo looks glorious and I'm glad to see he is making himself at home. Love to you all x

[Spanielmadlady in reply to bookish]

Thank you for your kind words x

[CecilyParsley]

Gorgeous Hugo, he is the best tonic for heartbreak, fatigue and pain. You have had so much loss this past year, Hugo was meant to be your boy. Spaniels love mud in any form, I am forever grateful you recommended Equafleece to me or mine would be in the bath every day. Good luck with the clean walk lovely xxx

[Spanielmadlady in reply to CecilyParsley]

Thank you CP.... yes he came home clean from the woods this morning x

[Krazykat26]

Gentle hugs Sml 🤗Sorry to hear you've lost Millie now too 🌈😔What a rotten year it's been for you. I'm so glad you've got Hugo to keep you very busy by the looks of it!! 😹 Who'd love spaniels eh? Oh hang on 🤔😹 Xx

[Spanielmadlady in reply to Krazykat26]

Thank you KK . Yes losing 3 has been hard but I'm still standing. He certainly keeps me on my toes having an active dog that can hear takes some getting used too x

[dg70]

Sorry about your furbaby. It's awful pain when they go. Having another helps as you have but when my last went last month I knew I was no longer a dog owner as practically it got harder to find sitters and my health is declining now. It was hard to come to terms with. I would get a big hose and fire it at my boys when they found the mud😂

[Spanielmadlady in reply to dg70]

I am sorry to hear you have also lost yours and that you are no longer in a position to have anymore. Hugo could well be my last if he lives as long as m & m ill be nearly 70.ive never used sitters so don't know but I do have my youngest around to help out. He has millies fleece but as it was warm I didn't put it on him but he was so dirty everywhere he still would of needed a shower xxxx

[dg70]

Yes a doggy coat saves some mess. I still have both my boys leads hanging on the coat rack its hard to get rid of everything. My daughter sometimes came to help look after the dog(s) but they have a little one now and it was not easy co-ordinating it all just so we could have a few days away. I just go round my estate with dog treats I have left over and meet all my boys friends and give them a pocket treat and I get a little stroke and cuddle.

[Spanielmadlady in reply to dg70]

Some of the fun parts without the vets bills. Hugo can use millies lead,coats etc but marleys are way too big and his fleeces have gone to a friend. He never really got a turn on the dog bed as millie was always in it he used to squeeze in on the side but he's got it all to himself now x

[dg70]

Yep vet bills, the last visit with an overnight stay was £1,400. It's not cheap being a pet owner

[Spanielmadlady in reply to dg70]

Nope...Marley cost £1300 which I got 50% back off insurance . millie just cost me £500 but I can't claim as they don't pay cremation costs x

[dg70]

It's horrible but you don't begrudge a bit of expense as you get a lot from them over the years.

[MusicalFurbaby]

So sorry to hear of your loss Spanielmadlady, the death of a furbaby always leaves such a void. Glad your doggos were so special to you. I lost my long-term feline furbaby almost 2 years ago and I still think of her! Getting a new cat helped to fill the void though, so I sure do hope your new puppy helps you, mud and all! It’s been a while since I had a dog but I used to just park their muddy butts in the path and go mad with the shampoo. Good luck!

[Spanielmadlady]

Thank you Musicalfurbaby. I only managed to rinse him.off with water. Hard to believe looking at him but he was pure white again by bedtime.....spaniels have a self cleaning coat and he's usually clean and dry in about an hr but that mess took quite a bit longer. I hope you are fairing well just now xx

[MusicalFurbaby in reply to Spanielmadlady]

Wow, pure white! Hard to believe. 😁 Well done on the cleaning effort! I am doing OK thanks, just recovering from surgery. Lupus appears to be behaving itself for now 👍🤞

[Spanielmadlady in reply to MusicalFurbaby]

Mainly pure white. Pleased your lupus is behaving and I hope your recovery from surgery continues to go well. Sending you healing hugs 🫂 xx

Hugo

[MusicalFurbaby in reply to Spanielmadlady]

Thank you! and thanks for the before and after pics of your puppy. Now I can see the difference! 😂

[Pumpkin2009]

My heart goes out to you on the loss of Mille. There is no easy way to get over such a loss.Our pets are such wonderful gifts. I think it was meant for you to get Hugo. I know that Hugo will understand what you are going through and bring comfort and joy . He is handsome even in dirt.

Healing and heartful hugs.

[Spanielmadlady]

Thank you pumpkin for your kind words and hugs. I'm sure Hugo was sent my marley....he used to be a real stress head when I was unwell.Millie was indifferent but would express her dissatisfaction when i came home from hospital with a nip. Hugo sits on my knee and rests his head on my shoulder...I call it a Hugi-hug. Millie saw him settled in and to his first birthday at the end of april. They give without judgement and life would be alot harder without them around. How are you ? I hope you are fairing as well as possible. 🫂 SML xxx

[Riverchick]

firstly I’m so sorry for your loss.

secondly what a handsome boy he looks like his living life to the fullest 😄

your along for the ride and will just have to deal with the cleanup haha and as heartbreaking what your going through now is I’m sure he’ll help you through it 🤗whilst reminding you of the great times you had with your loved ones that have passed x

[Spanielmadlady in reply to Riverchick]

Thank you for your kind words. He's our 3 rd english springer so I'm used to water,mud and undergrowth coming home on a daily basis. He is very happy go lucky and chilled. We had a heavy shower this afternoon and he refused to come in and lay on the grass instead ..when he did finally come in he was like a drowned rat 🙄. X

[svfarmer]

hi SML I’ve only just seen this post as only dip in and out of the forum, I’m so very sorry for the loss of your gorgeous Millie, it must have broke your heart as like you said she got you through the tough bits.

Great photo - sending big hugs xx

[Spanielmadlady]

Thanks SV x