Millie McAvoy

GOODBYE TO OUR BRAVE LITTLE LADY (28.9.2017)

Dear little Millie was such a determined and brave girl. She struggled and had been fighting all the odds for months but, finally, it was her time and she went peacefully to sleep on Thursday 28th September in the arms of her devoted humans and with her sisters and brother close by.

Ironically, it had been her sister Abi who had been really poorly a few days earlier but, as she pulled through and continued to improve, Millie chose her time to say her last “goodbye”.

Millie was such a terrified little soul when she arrived but quickly took to Belinda who was soon able to reassure her. Trusting Terry took a wee bit longer but, when they partnered up for their training classes, Millie Mops with her Dad became a bit of a star. She was really good at all the elements of the Bronze Good Citizens Award apart from being separated from Terry especially when there was a stranger about.

As time went on, Millie gained more and more confidence until she became the boss lady of her ever increasing pack. She ruled with a paw of iron and kept her other family members under firm control at all times. She also put herself in charge of the many foster dogs, big and small, who came and went, being sure to show them the ropes and to learn what was right and what was wrong.

Millie

This strict discipline extended to doggie friends too. Dolly Dracup was being naughty in Gizzie’s field one day and was tormenting her sister Flossie but Millie just gave her a stare and Dolly, immediately, stopped her inappropriate behaviour. It was actually extremely funny. Only Ellie May escaped a telling off but Ellie was always such a good girl and never did any wrong in Millie’s eyes, bless her. For sure, the two of them are together again now at Rainbow Bridge where they will both be reunited with their older sister Stella as well as their foster friends who have, sadly, also gone to be dog angels.

HISTORY

In 2007, Millie was fostered in Ireland by Sandie who said of her “She is a small Golden Retriever Cross or possibly a badly bred thoroughbred. She is quite timid, gets on well with other dogs, likes being groomed, is good in the car and is (so far) housetrained. She has had a bath and is a lot better since she got rid of all the poo from her coat. She is an adorable little dog”.

Millie was, understandably, very nervous when we bought her home on Sunday, though very relieved to get out of the car! She drank lots of water, but refused any food. These photos are of her on her first evening so you can see she was beginning to relax a bit already.

Belinda says: Millie sticks to me like glue and while she is friendly with Terry, she seems to have a fear of men. A male friend came round who loves dogs and she backed off when she saw him. After she had met him, she was still very wary of him.

We now get quite a lot of tail wags and she is carrying her tail up instead of between her legs. She is an absolute darling. Two of our grandchildren came round on Monday evening and she was wonderful with them, no fear or aggression, so I am sure she has been with children.

She was very interested in the sandwiches I was making for their packed lunches so I think she has been fed on scraps. She loved scrambled eggs and mashed potato and this morning I introduced some James Wellbeloved with it which she ate. This was a great relief as she had previously picked it up and spat it out!

On walks she is fantastic. We saw another dog which she looked at and then ignored. She walks perfectly on the lead, doesn’t pull at all.

As I said, she follows me around all the time, comes into the studio with us and just lies quietly but has to come with me if I go anywhere! We did some gardening yesterday and she lay in the flower bed next to me!

She has chased the cat on a couple of occasions but I don’t think it is with evil intent as she stops instantly I call her and looks very guilty!

She doesn’t come upstairs (obviously not allowed to previously) but she did sneak up the evening before last when she thought we were not around! She shot back again when she saw us.

Millie is beginning to come out of herself and actually bounced around the garden this morning with me.

She absolutely hates going in the car and shakes when we get near to it. We had to pick her up to put her in it. We think it is wise to keep taking her for short rides – perhaps to a place where she can have a nice walk – in the hope she will realise that nothing nasty is going to happen to her.

All in all, a perfect match as far as we are concerned. Let’s hope Millie thinks so too!

FURTHER UPDATE ON MILLIE

MILLIE is continuing to be a little darling, still quite timid with strangers, especially men, and likes to greet anyone in the safety of the house.

We had to go to Dorchester yesterday and had the usual lifting to get her into the car. We travelled with her alone on the back seat this time and I think she was better without having me there to squeeze against. She was not really happy and panted all the time but she was not distressed and even looked out of the window at times. We visited my sister and brother in law who have 13 and 11 year old golden bitches. Millie joined them as if she had known them all her life and the older one took to her immediately, and, although the younger one can be difficult with other dogs, she too, after a couple of grumbles, accepted Millie and we took them all for a walk together. Millie was in 7th heaven, tail held high, bouncing along with the others. We let her off the lead in the meadow and she hardly went 20 feet in front of us before she came to check we were still there and returned instantly on command. We spent the evening at their house and she behaved as if she had been there all her life. We still had to lift her into the car when we came away but we are hopeful that it will get better, especially as we have a mix of Crisis and Show Nerves essences from Lynne which I started giving her today. Millie now has her shamrock nametag too.

Millie still likes to have the bowl held for her while she is eating and does not show much interest in food at all, although she is eating now. She is becoming quite busy but takes no notice of other dogs barking, loud noises etc. Our cat is keeping out of her way, but we are hoping the cat will join in more so they can sort themselves out. Everyone who meets her, falls in love with her.

2008 UPDATE FROM BELINDA

Thought it was about time we sent you an updated picture of Millie and Connie and let you know how they are getting on. Millie has been amazing. We have been taking them both to training every week and Terry has been partnering Millie. The first few weeks were spent with Millie shaking at the side but gradually, with the help of Crisis (flower essences mix) and lots of encouragement from everyone there, she is now taking part in all the activities. She does a sit/stay and lets Terry get quite far away from her (he couldn’t leave her side before), runs through the tunnel and trots over the cavaletti. She was wagging her tail like made at the last session which may have been because she and Terry were awarded a Certificate for being the Most Improved Partnership! A very proud couple!!

We have finally overcome the problem with the cat! Connie takes absolutely no notice of it and never has. Millie, on the other hand, has always been fascinated and until about a month ago, the cat lived entirely upstairs. But today when I was in the garden, the dogs were playing around and I suddenly noticed that Purdy (the cat) had appeared. She loves being in the garden with us and obviously had decided that enough was enough! Connie ran up, wagged her tail and ran off. Millie did the same and Purdy ignored them. A result!