I came to live here when I was 7 weeks old. I am a tri-colour Cavalier. I was so small I fitted sat up on my Dad's hand, I was so excited but scared too to leave my brothers and sisters. I had never been in a car and it went so fast I felt dizzy. I went to sleep and then we arrived at my new home.
Mum carried me in, what's this I can smell another dog, ooh it's a Cavalier. It's Henry! Henry licks me all over, wagging his tail. He tells me its nice here and I will get lots of walks, what's that? Chicken and rice, lovely food. Now you are talking! Mum and Dad have to rescue me and put me in my crate because Henry is being bossy, I have been bathed at least twice and I have only been here an hour! He really likes me, and I like him too.
Henry teaches me all the rules as I grow up, I do not bark, Henry does that; we sleep on Mum and Dad's bed, that's nice. I feel really safe here. As I get older, I go to dog shows and meet other Cavalier's. Mum is pleased Henry wins a prize. Then I win one too for best puppy. This is fun. I can really impress all those girls! Henry does not like dog shows, he prefers running for his golf balls. I learn to pinch them and run off. Henry always makes me drop it though. We have lots of fun together!
One day I have an accident, whilst out walking with Henry, another dog went for me and I got bitten on my face causing my eye to come out. Mum took me to the vet straight away and had to act as my nurse whilst the vet put my eye back in. I lost the sight in that eye and was not the same dog after that. As the vet was checking me over, he discovered I had MVD and would have to be on tablets for the rest of my life. I was only 2 years old. Henry said not to worry as he was told that too and he never took any tablets. I started to get ham with my teas, just like Henry funny that I never got any before?
I lost my confidence and stopped doing dog shows, I could not see very well and thought that other dogs would bite me too. Mum and I became very close and I did not like to leave her side. I knew when she was upset like the time she lost her Mum. I gave her lots of love and sighs and she called me her soul mate! I still enjoyed my holidays, and would bark loudly at other dogs if they got too near me. Pity that I used to be so sociable. Henry was very protective of me, he became my eyes.
Henry and I grew old together, when he got tired I used to fetch his ball for him to play with. Then one day, Henry went to the vet and did not come back. I looked for him all over, Mum & Dad were sad and told me he had gone to Rainbow Bridge. I knew he was on the field looking for lost golf balls and had forgot to come home. I used to look up and down the field, no Henry. Sweep our Cavalier friend looked a bit like Henry and I thought he was he one day and went off to see. Silly me, I must find him, no one to sleep on now. I do miss him.
I was getting old too, stiff legs, slipped my disc when getting out of bed one day. Dad made me a step so I could get up and down ok. Then one day, I had to go to the vet to get my teeth cleaned. He found I had a lump in my mouth under my tongue, he took it out together with a few teeth too. I did not like going to the vet, I smell Henry there and I know that was where he was last seen. I am scared I am not going to get back home.
Thank goodness, Mum comes for me, I am so happy to see her, but I know something is not right, I am scared; Mum tells me that it will be ok and I will see Henry soon. I do not want to leave her, she will be so sad, I will not go. That night, I tell Mum I am not well, my mouth is so sore and hurting. My mouth is bleeding and Mum cannot stop it, I am so scared, Henry where are you? Sorry, I have made a mess all over the bed, Mum and Dad are saying Rainbow Bridge, I will not go, and I want to stay.
Oh what's that smell, my favourite sausages, Cumberland, Mum has cooked them especially for me. Off to the vet, again, eating sausages on the way, this is the life. Mum says Henry is waiting for you today at Rainbow Bridge. Dad says off you go, Albert, old pal. I can see Henry now, I will take him a bit of sausage and share it with him, wait for me, Henry! I'm coming.