Hi my name is Tania Hughes and I own and operate Anacare Kennel and Pet Services since May 2005.

From left to right are Monty, Miko, Emma, Tigger, Daisy, Molly and at the back is myself and Heidi.

These dogs form the core of my exercise groups.

Over the years I have seen the very best and the very worst of dogs.

Today I want to write about Choices, loss and gains

Choices.

22^nd August 2008

Today I  made a choice which involves much heart break and sorrow.

I own a wonderful Bichon. Her real name is Canwest Molly.

We call her Molly Malone.

Molly had an aggressive and nasty thing eating at her health and well being from the inside of her.

My choice is harsh but straight forward. Let her die slowly from paralysis  plus failure of bodily functions, or allow her to leave this world peacefully and cross the Rainbow Bridge with dignity and the usual tenacity she has in life.

I have made my choice and I went and held her as she left to pass on into rich memories and a place I know does exist where all is far better than anything we know at present.

Molly came to us 3 years ago. I was going to see if we could place her up for adoption. However this lasted for about 30 minutes as my little guy Tigger was howling at home from loneliness. So I bought Tigger over to the kennel and introduced him to Molly.

The rest is history. Molly and Tigger would have insane games of tag, tug of war and who can make it past the door first.

Molly moved in and filled our hearts with joy and fun. She is a rip roar and bust kind of girl.

Molly had a major food addiction. She would raid the waste paper bin for that napkin you had wiped your mouth on after a snack. She would remove all the other paper then shred the napkin just in case there was a hint of food to be sucked in.

Meal times were a momentary wonder of joy for Molly as she inhaled her meal then proceeded to make sure her dish and the other dogs dishes were clean as well.

Over at the kennel Molly would revert to being a gutter mooch, checking for any food split into the gutters or on the floor.

The dishwasher was not beyond Molly’s reach either. If the dishes were clean there was no interest, apart from a fleeting glance. But dirty dishes were food and therefore had to be licked clean! I have lost count of the times we peeled Molly out of the dish washer before closing it.  Food was never left on any table or area that Molly could reach.

Molly always greeted people with an exuberance as if you were a long lost friend. She lived for the moment and loved adventure and receiving her fair share of love.  We enjoyed the quiet moments of having great ear massages and sly little licks on the face to show appreciation for those ear massages.  Molly enjoyed games where she would sound formidable if I tried to steal her toy. Many people thought I would lose my hand to this snarling banshee.

I have become a fan of adopting older dogs.

Molly was 7 when she came into our lives. Daisy May was 10, when she joined our home,  Miko was 8, Sunshine was also 8 and Monty was about 6.

Even older dogs can become an important component of a new home. My older dogs personalities evolved and changed just as a younger dogs personality does, just slightly slower.

Saying good bye, I am learning is no easier, regardless of the amount of time shared with a beloved pet.

Socialisation can lead to lots of fun!

Ms Molly Malone, the rip roar and bust girl.