We have just completed our second housesit in Spain. No beach in sight as our second one was situated in a small rural community 1/2 hour from Comares, and 7kms from Riogordo.
Our four-legged companions comprised of three dogs Woody, Dexter and Bella, in addition, the quiet presence of two felines, Bob and Co. Of course not forgetting the two donkey siblings, Carlos, Lily and 20 unnamed chickens.
Stepping back to a few days ago, to our arrival, and the welcome from Woody’s human parents. The next couple of days we started to relax and were spoilt with home cooked meals and a look around the immediate vicinity of our temporary home base.
As mentioned in a previous post it has only been days not weeks, to be more precise it was the 11 November, since we arrived back in Europe. It’s been full on and so a few days of doing nothing much more than walking and getting up to date with computer stuff [such as blogging, organising housesits and a general catch up].
Getting back to what this post is really about, Woody and Co. Without further ado I will introduce you to the main characters:
Above in regal pose is Bob the cat and Bella.
Donkeys and siblings, Carlos and Lily.
Here is the star of this post, Woody.
N.B. There is now some sad news attached to this post, as Woody died while we were there, he had previously had health issues, and his condition worsed very quickly. Unfortunately, the diagnosis of a tumour on his liver was terminal, and he passed away peacefully. In the short time we had with him, Woody had left an indelible impression on us. He was a gentle natured dog and had a calming effect on his younger siblings.
He will be sorely missed by his family and anyone who met him. R.I.P. Woody
What a sad thing to happen.
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Yes it was, Jo!
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I’m so sorry to hear about Woody! What a horrifying thing to have happen on your watch! I’m sure he lived a wonderful life. (You can judge a person’s character by their love of animals!) I’m glad there are lots of you around to keep each other company in this sad time! ~ Lynn
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Thanks Lynn for your lovely comment, much appreciated.
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Oh what sad news on Woody Suzanne – I’ve just caught up with your blog. It’s such a responsibility looking after other peoples pets and you two sound like you are just perfect for the job. He must have been a much loved dog. And I’m jealous of you having those donkeys to look after – donkeys are my favourites 🙂 xx
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Yes it was sad though unfortunately when dealing with older pets it had to happen eventually one day. At least Woody was happy before we got sick, and lived a reasonably long life. Thanks for the compliment, very kind of you!
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That’s sad. At least everyone he loved was there.
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Yes it was sad, it’s all part of life isn’t it.
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It is.
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Sad news, but I was pleased to read in your comments that Woodys human parents managed to be with him in his final hours. It would have been devastating for them I’m sure to lose a pet while away. It also must have been comforting for you not to have to deal alone with the death of one of your charges when housesitting. We’ve done a little bit of house sitting, and I’d find that devastating.
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Thanks for commenting Chris. We were glad that they were there for Woody.
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So sad, but I bet Woody had a great life… what dog wouldn’t in such a place? Love all your temporary pets… was this your first time taking care of donkeys?
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Yes, I think he had a good life. No we have cared for a few donkeys, would you believe 🙂 Especially in France!
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Terrible news about Woody. I find comfort, however, that he was clearly surrounded by his companions, humans and animals alike.
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Me too and also to know that he was a contented dog, who enjoyed his longish life.
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So sad to hear about Woody. 😦
This housesit is similar to the one we did for our friends in Rogliano with a menagerie but so much fun. We may be doing another for them in May, so, loads of puppy fixes. 🙂
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Sorry to hear about Woody, Suz. Darn… That seems to be one of our worst nightmares to have a dog pass away on our watch. And, so sad for the owners who aren’t there. It sounds like you all handled it well and have wonderful memories of Woody. I’m positive he was loved by all and had an incredible, free roaming life.
It must have been an interesting experience to have home (and yard) full of animals.
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Oh, I just read in one of your comments that the owners were there for Woody’s passing. I’m so glad about that!!
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So were we Liesbet!
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We have had a dog develop diabetes while on a long housesit we can cope with anything life throws at us! It was interesting and not as hectic as it sounds. Though a bit annoying when a dog grabs our position on the sofa 😃 Not into dogs on furniture as they should have their own bed!!
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Oh Suzanne this must have been so sad for you both, but what an amazing job you both have, to take on so much responsibility while people are away. I think it’s wonderful that your clients can go away in the knowledge that their home & in fact their beloved pets are in good hands and are being so well cared for, even in such sad circumstances. X
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Thanks Sam, we have dealt with a few animals that have got sick, though Woody is the first one that has died. Luckily his parents were there to say goodbye and to make the decision that needed to be done. Woody got sick [he had a preexisting tumour] the night before they arrived back before taking off for another trip. We certainly give it 100% when looking after animals. It is a big responsibility and one we love doing. All in all it is usually a win/win situation x
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Beautiful photos Suz…and you get to see such interesting places off the beaten track…so sad about Woody, must have bee distressing, also for the owners who missed saying goodbye.
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Thanks Clare. Woody’s parents had come back for a couple of nights in between going off again and he fell started going downhill the night before they arrived back. So they were there to take him to the vet and have spent his last day with him too. Never easy saying goodbye to a loved pet!!
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That was so fortunate they were there…hard not to say goodbye too..
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It was Clare.
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That must have been quite traumatic. Run free, Woody ❤
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Unfortunately in life things don’t always go to plan and having to deal with sickness is something we have got used to doing. Not that it is ever easy. More traumatic for his human parents who have cared for him much longer than us. I just loved how Woody would walk behind us absolutely enjoying his walk with a little run when he saw that we were waiting for him, such a sweet dog 🙂
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💖
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Sad news Suze. I guess its a risk we all take with older pets though. Where you off to next?
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It certainly is a risk with older dogs, and it has to happen with the amount of animals we have cared for over the last few years. We are in Spain for 3 months. Looks like you are both enjoying NZ 🙂
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Oh RIP Woody, it sounds like you will be missed! Lovely photo of him though Suzanne – and his associated brothers and sisters of all different species x
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Woody will be missed. He was lucky as he had a fun life and was loved. Even on his second to last day we tried to go for a walk with the rest of them. He was such a lovely natured dog. It will be different when we go back in February with him not being there! x
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So sad to hear about Woody, he looks like an adorable dog. As for the others, what a cast of characters. Love it.
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Yes they are certainly characters, and had us laughing on more than one occasion. Woody had a good life, just so sad to see him go down so fast. Which I suppose is a good that he didn’t suffer for long.
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Poor thing. But you’re right, sounds a bit like our old Bluey.
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Wow, dogs, cats, donkeys and chickens…..that’s a handful!
How sad Suz. It’s always so terrible to lose a pet. Poor Woody. Xx
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Funnily enough they weren’t a handful, at mealtimes it took a few minutes to sort them all out. 🙂 It is hard to lose a pet, that’s life unfortunately and we certainly know what it is like to lose a dog.
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Great routine.
Yes, that is life indeed ❤️
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Oh, how sad, I was just thinking what a lovely bunch they looked and wasn’t expecting the ending. Poor Woody.
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It was very sad, especially for his human parents. We were not expecting it either, though we had been told he had problems a while ago with his liver. Unfortunately with old dogs or cats, it can happen so fast. They were a lovely bunch and when you think 3 dogs what a handful, though they weren’t at all. They behaved well most of the time 🙂 We are back there in February.
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I expect the other dogs will miss him too.
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Anabel, good point. I think that they will. Especially at meal times as there will be one less bowl to check for leftovers 🙂
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Oh Woody! That’s so heartbreaking. Sorry to hear this. What a wonderful group of four legged buddies you’ve made on this trip though.
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Yes, very heartbreaking for his human parents. He was a lovely old dog, and certainly in our short meeting he made an impact. We have been fortunate to have cared for pets who have been a joy to walk and look after it does make our job as housesitters so much more easier!
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Poor Woody, but great that he had you with him. X I bet the donkeys are fun there is something special that a Donkey brings I think. Personally It looks like Bob is in charge and subtly keeps order. Merry Christmas To you and yours in Spain… if that’s where you will be.
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Thanks Ellen, greetings back to you too. Yes we will be in Spain, caring for a beautiful dog called Fudge who we looked after in Switzerland whose family shifted over here. Bob the cat is definitely in charge 🙂
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Great post! I love the photo of Bob and Bella (classic cat! Lol) and the one of the donkeys, so cute
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Yes, Bob and Bella together that was a fun moment with Bob on his perch so to speak with the dogs coming over to check him out! 🙂 Lovely to have interaction with donkeys as they are not a regular pet!
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