The happy and sad story of Goofy, a dog rescued from Greece, who took over Belinda Harley’s life.
If you enjoyed story of Goofy’s rescue, look for the book, “Marley and Me”. It’s a lovely story, and you’d need to have a hard heart not to shed a tear by the end of it.
The only time that Mark Birley, that quintessentially reserved Englishman and ruler of the nightclub Annabel’s, sent me a love letter, it began: “Darling Belinda, I know I only saw you last night, and will see you again in a few days, but there is something I wanted to put in writing. I want to tell you how much I love and admire you” (here, I caught my breath) “for rescuing that divine dog.”
The rest of the letter was not about me at all. It was all about Goofy, the mixture of spaniel and scamp with the wonderful, intelligent eyes that I had brought home, after nightmarish battles with official-dom, from the Greek island of Paxos.
Seriously, is that really how dogs are put down? An injection that takes ten minutes, ending with spasms while the dog is still conscious?
And the owner, who has clearly mistaken/projected upon the dog as one of her own children, is asked to walk it outside while the injection takes effect?
And, then, when it can no longer move, carry it back inside and hold it down while it spasms?
Seems a tad cruel, to both owner and dog.
BTW, a quick google suggests that the Belinda Harley once had an affair with British Prime Minister John Major – she clearly has a thing for dumb animals.
I’d be kinda curious to see what kind of effect that injection might have on a politician, say, Tony Blair. I’d be willing to hold him down too 😀
Having gone through 2 of those with pets, it only takes seconds. Her dog was given a sedative, possibly because he was so hyperactive.
You unfortunately have to hold the dog in place whenever an animal is given an injection in case they jump up when the needle is inserted. I helped do just that for my family dog when she was put to sleep.
Ah, I see, I missed the bit about it being a sedative, sorry if I came across as callous given that you’ve been through this yourself.
I am still willing, however, willing to sit down and comfortingly pat Tony Blair or, indeed, Kathy Sinnott as they undergo the same process.
It seems easier and less cruel to just use a gun. I never quite understood this obsession with doing things the ‘humane’ (longest and least reliable) way.
@Dankoozy – well, if it were you, would you choose a ten-minute sedative followed by lethal injection or a bullet to the back of the head, whisky optional?
I think I’d go for the bullet, but only if it was a single malt whisky – Talisker would probably make it the obvious choice.
You know, it just occurred to me, with a post entitled “When a dog loves a woman”, the entire nature of Donncha’s search engine traffic is about to change.
Euthanasia of a dog is almost instant when done professionally. Once the needle goes in the vein, the animal is unconscious. Within a very short time, the heart stops beating, although there may be muscle spasms for a short while, which the animal is unaware of.
Know all about this too well! Ghastle when you have to say “goodbye” to your best friend.
I’m totally against Euthanasia!
You know when my sons, Matt and Brett left with Sunshine. I had my daughter Courtney. Then 7 years later, we adopted Rocky. I had to take Rocky to be put to sleep. Rocky was 17 years old. On the way to the place of death. Rocky tried to climb on my lap. I was crying so hard i had to drive. When we got there. they wanted money to put rocky to sleep. I picked up Rocky they told me to put a rug on him. By this time I said, ‘Rocky lets get to we have to I can not do this” then Rocky was in my arms sleeping. The vet told me that a dog will never just lay down and die. They are and always will be survivors of the last life on earth.
Rocky, Dad, I love you both. I miss you with all my heart