Ben Coldicott

GOODBYE TO A SWEET BOY

Sadly, Ben, our brave old soldier, could only stay a short while in Coldicott Heaven then he went to Rainbow Bridge. Goodbye sweet boy. Everyone at IRR loves you

God's Garden 

 God looked around his garden and found an empty place. 
 He then looked down upon the earth and saw your tired face. 
 He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest. 
 God's garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best.
 He knew that you were suffering, he knew you were in pain.
  He knew that you would never get well on this earth again. 
 He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb.
 So he closed your weary eyelids and whispered "Peace be thine".
  It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn't go alone. 
 For part of us went with you, the day God called you home.

A TRIBUTE FROM LORNA

Ben came to live with us and his friend Zena on 28 January this year. He was already a ‘goldie oldie’ and had a few problems with his back legs (arthritis and cruciate ligaments) and some other breathing and eye problems. He was a gorgeous old chap. He was always wagging and loved nothing more than lots of cuddles and being brushed. We loved them both straight away and they loved us back it seems.

Ben saw the vet several times for an ulcerated cornea and just last month he had to have an operation for entropian as the lower lid was turning in and irritating the ulcer so that it wasn’t healing. He came through the op and recovered well – the ulcer was beginning to get better and the vet was optimistic that we would save him sight in his right eye.

Suddenly last Friday (23 March) he became very ill and could not leave his bed. We didn’t know what was wrong but he had lost all interest in cuddling and wagging or even saying hello. We knew that he was particularly poorly if he couldn’t manage that. We gently lifted him into the car and once at the vets, the nurse helped us to carry him into the surgery. The vet took one look and advised that Ben was not going to make it. His liver was failing and his muscle wastage meant that he was unlikely to walk again. The prognosis was so poor that I knew that the only thing I could do to help him was to let him go. Ben died with dignity in my arms with me stroking his big broad head and telling him how much we love him. It was one of the saddest moments of my life.

Ben, we will never forget you. You were a gentleman and a character. You have left a very big hole in our hearts and our lives and although we had you for such a short time, I feel as devastated as I would had you been with us always. You were brave and proud yet a softie and a loyal companion and we love you. Now that your pain has gone, run free at Rainbow Bridge and feel young and invigorated once more.

Our love always Lorna, Rachel and Zena

Many thanks to Pauline and Lynne and to Andy for all your help and concern during the time we had Ben, your kind words in our grief and your continued support with Zena.

"I'll lend you for a little time a dog of mine" he said. "For you to love while he lives and mourn for when he's dead". 
 It maybe six or seven years or maybe more than these, but will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me? 
 He'll bring his charm to gladden you, and should his stay be brief, you'll have his memories, as solace for your grief. 
 I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return, but there are lessons taught down there, I want this dog to learn. 
 I've looked this wide world over, in my search for teachers true, and from the throngs that crowd life's lanes, I have selected you. 
 Now will you give him all your love, nor think the labour vain, nor hate me when I come to call, and take him back again? 
 I fancied that I heard them say "Dear Lord, thy will be done", for all the joy thy dog shall bring, for the risk of grief we'll run. 
 We'll shelter him with tenderness, we'll love him while we may, and for the happiness we've known, forever grateful stay. 
 But should the angels call for him, we'll brave the bitter grief that comes, and try to understand. 

Ben’s departure left behind our Zena, a lively 11 year old girlie with a zest for life who didn’t know how to play but she did try to learn from us. In the end, we realised that, as long as she had a soft toy to carry around, she was more than happy.

In spite of your obvious joy at living with us, you seemed a little lost when Ben had gone, so we asked IRR for a friend for you and that’s when Merlin came to live with us too. You took to him straight away even though he wasn’t interested in any of us much at first.

Just over a year ago, you also let a very elderly Della into your life and accepted her as part of your family too. You have always been willing to share us with your doggie friends, but pushed them out of the way if you felt left out and they always let you, knowing you were the boss.

A TRIBUTE FROM ANDY & VAL

We’re so terribly sad to hear about Ben. You brought him a lot of happiness at the end of his life and gave him the retirement he deserved, albeit not enough of it.

He will be free of his years and his ailments and will now be patiently waiting for his soulmate Zena at the Bridge. What a stunning couple they will make again, although I suspect Ben will still be cantankerous, and Zena will still roll on her back at every opportunity to have her belly tickled.

We remember the Christmas they spent with us, making it bearable for us, being the 1st we’d spent without our own dog Ben and we remember the pleasure we felt knowing they’d finally found their perfect home with you.

Thanks to the IRR I’ve seen many dogs in lots of circumstances and I knew, without any doubt, you would give Zena and Ben their perfect home.

HISTORY

Andy their fosterer said: Ben and Zena are a couple of inseparable Golden Retrievers, who needed to spend the twilight of their lives in comfort together.

Ben is a lovely old boy of 12 years. He’s had an operation to remove a tumour, but is making a full recovery. Although a little wobbly on his legs at times, and taking medication for his breathing, he’s still a happy boy with a constantly wagging tail. He just wants somewhere comfortable to spend his time, with little walks and lots of fuss.

Zena is a sprightly 11 year old cuddle monster. She’s in good health, loves her walks and enjoyed her time in foster with us. She has the saddest eyes, which she puts to good use begging treats and cuddles, I defy anyone to resist. They’re both house trained, great on the lead, can be left and are even cat friendly.”

A PERFECT FOREVER HOME

Ben and Zena went off happily to their forever home with Lorna and Rachel in the Midlands today (28/1/07)

A FIRST UPDATE ON BEN and ZENA from Lorna

Ben and Zena have been with us for almost 6 weeks now. They have settled in brilliantly and you could not wish to meet a more gentle, friendly pair of dogs. Ben is the eldest and has his grumpy moments, but then he is an old man and with the problems he has with his back legs, I think he is entitled.

Zena is quite the little princess and knows exactly how to twist us around her front paw. She has very soft eyes and she uses them to her advantage My daughter has been virtually housebound with ME for four years, so she has the dogs as company all day and I think that they are helping her by giving her a responsibility and taking her mind off her illness a little. We are very proud of our adoptees and loved them from the moment they came into our lives. In return they have given us so much already and with the promise of more to come.

Thanks to Andy and Val for fostering these two and bringing them to visit us when my daughter was unable to travel.

A huge THANK YOU goes also to Pauline and Lynne and all at the Irish Retriever Rescue who not only allowed us to take Ben and Zena, but have also been such a big help and support over the last few weeks. God bless you all for the tremendous work you are doing. Love from Ben, Zena, Lorna and Rachel

UPSETTING NEWS

Sadly, Ben’s happiness in his wonderful new home was short-lived and he has now gone to Rainbow Bridge. Everybody misses him dreadfully but, at least, Zena is being spoilt rotten to try to compensate her for his loss. She is slowly coming to terms with the loss of dear Ben.