Shamrock Harvey

GOD CALLED HIS ANGEL BACK (15.5.2019)

On 15^th May 2019, Shamrock slipped peacefully away with his head in Paula’s lap. It was in the beautiful garden at Macqueen’s vets and all the family were there with him.

A totally distraught Paula gave us the news we were all dreading “Sadly, at 9.05pm, my snuggle puppy Shamrock, my Baby Sham, went to Heaven with his best friend Barney. His cancer was out of control, he was crying and we knew what we had to do”

PAULA REMEMBERS THEIR SPECIAL BOY WHO WAS THEIR TEACHER AND HEALER

Even though it was not for anywhere near long enough, we were all privileged to share our lives with this wonderful boy who was beautiful inside and out.

We have learnt so much about alternative ways of looking after dogs and we think Shamrock was sent to teach us about complimentary care to support him with his seizures, he was our snuggle puppy, our baby Sham and we all love and miss him so very much!

When we were out and about people would always ask what breed he was and, one day, while Julian was eating his pasty outside the Bath Abbey, he noticed a long queue forming and realised it was for Shamrock!!! They were waiting patiently to stroke and find out more about him!

NAUGHTY BUT NICE

He touched the lives of so many, young and old He was a gentle giant who loved chasing deer on the Salisbury plain. An absolute nightmare at times, on one occasion I remember being judged by another dog owner who thought he was out of control and he was, although we wouldn’t admit it to her.

He was a white blob on the horizon, we think it is the Husky trait as, once he locked on to the scent, he would only come back in Shamrock’s time……..but he always would come back.

Sadly, not this time, the world has lost a soul mate to Heaven and we hope to meet again one day, Rest In Peace my beautiful boy!

REST IN PEACE POEM

If it should be that I grow weak 
and pain should keep me from my sleep, 
Then you must do what must be done 
for this last battle can’t be won.
   
You will be sad, I understand, 
don't let your grief then stay your hand
For this day, more than all the rest, 
your love for me must stand the test.   
We've had some very happy years, 
what is to come can hold no fears, 
You'd not want me to suffer so 
the time has come please let me go. 
Take me where my need they'll tend 
and please stay with me till the end, 
Hold me firm and speak to me 
until my eyes no longer see.   
I know in time that you will see
 the kindness that you did for me. 
Although my tail it’s last has waved 
from pain and suffering I've been saved. 
   
Please do not grieve it must be you 
who has this painful thing to do. 
We've been so close, we four these years, 
don't let your heart hold back its tears.

HE COULDN’T HAVE HAD A BETTER HOME

One really good thing in Shamrock’s case is that, in his almost 4yrs, he packed in a lifetime of happy memories for which we can never thank Paula and Julian enough.

Of his litter, he was closest to Honey. They were like peas in a pod. She has promised him she will now lead a full life for the 2 of them!!

We have found it extremely difficult to think what to write about Shamrock, feeling a mixture of emotions at this very difficult time. We do know we feel privileged to have been blessed to share his life although robbed that he was taken from us at such a young age! One really good thing is, because of him, we have met some lovely IRR people who I hope will become lifelong friends.

Probably due to the hellhole where Lily lived before being rescued, poor Shamrock was not without medical problems but, through looking after him throughout his life, we encountered nothing but kind and caring, knowledgeable professionals.

THANKS TO ALL THE WONDERFUL VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS

Nick Thompson, our Holistic vet, and Tony Nevin, Osteopath to both humans and animals, gave complimentary care to Shamrock for almost two years to support him with his seizures and to keep them under control for us. They both held clinics in Corsham in Wiltshire which suited us well and Shamrock loved seeing them both. We are really grateful to Nick and Tony for all they did to make our lovely boy’s life as perfect as it could be.

Our primary veterinary surgery is Macqueen’s in Devizes. They are a fantastic team of efficient and knowledgable vets, fabulous nurses and caring receptionists. All were wonderful with Shamrock who responded well to them throughout. They were very sensitive and kind to us too. Again, we can’t thank them enough.

They reacted swiftly right from the initial telephone call I made telling them that Shamrock was in trouble. They booked him in immediately, examined him to find a lump, admitted him and carried out an operation there and then, suspecting he had swallowed something inappropriate.

What they found was a grapefruit size tumour on the outside of his intestine and a mass inside. A biopsy was agreed to establish what we were dealing with. After a few days of waiting anxiously the diagnosis was cancer, lymphoma.

Dr Helen Jones admitted Shamrock and Dr Mario Antignani, with Helen Jones, carried out the operation to investigate the lump. Dr Aileen Griffin organised the swift referral to Dr Tom Cave, specialist oncologist, in Wellington.

HOPE TURNED TO DESPAIR

Dr Cave reacted with great urgency too giving us an appointment at 9am the next morning. He was very thorough and really kind but we were told the cancer would eventually kill Shamrock. Dr Cave thought the chemotherapy should give him in the region of 18 more happy months so it was a no-brainer and, there and then, Shamrock was given CHOP chemo, the strongest treatment possible.

Our hopes were raised as it seemed to be working well and, almost immediately, the tumour started to reduce in size but, then, Shamrock relapsed. His bloods were taken and the results showed that his cancer was out of control.

Dr Ian Macqueen was the out of hours vet on duty on 15th May. He was very compassionate and so kind and gentle with Shamrock but our precious boy was in pain, he had difficulty breathing and his abdomen was swollen. We all felt the kindest and most compassionate decision was to allow him to die with dignity and rest in peace, free of pain.

One week and one day following the chemo, he passed away peacefully in Macqueen’s garden and we were all with him. It was the day before Barney’s birthday. We had lost our lovely Barney approximately 11 months before. Both boys were very special and they left a huge hole in our heart and lives as did our Charlie before them.

All three boys have memorial roses planted in our garden in their honour and Paula has a beautiful silver heart charm.

SHAMROCK IS NOT FAR AWAY

Pauline tells us “I wanted to see Paula, Julian and Millie but I was dreading it at the same time as it would be the first time we had met since the loss of Shamrock. I was in such a state going to Westbury from Radstock (about 16 miles) that I managed to get completely lost. As it turned out, it was for the best as it made me very late but gave Julie and Honey a chance to say their “hellos” and exchange greetings.

It was lovely seeing Millie and Honey being so chilled together and it was amazing how, despite never having been there before, Honey chose to lie in all of Shamrock’s favourite spots.

We looked at all the beautiful cards that had been sent and pressies given all of which had been very gratefully received by Paula and Julian. They were very hospitable and I enjoyed my salad and special veggie quiche and Julie and I even succumbed to the temptation of lemon drizzle cake.

But soon it was time for me to go to get back to my dogs who I decided to leave at home. The others were all off to the Plains for a walk which I heard they enjoyed very much. They even saw a rainbow ……….. a clear sign that Shamrock was watching over them. Then, when they got back, Honey decided it was time for bed and went and sat on Shamrock’s stair.

From the moment I arrived, I felt relaxed and it was as if the huge cloud above me lifted, as I felt Shamrock’s presence everywhere and so strongly. It just all felt so right and I knew, for sure, Shamrock is very happy to be in spirit”.

SUCH SAD BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Sunday 26th May was to be a slightly early 4th birthday celebration for Lily’s litter as it was a good time for all except Bobby to be able to be there. Paula still wanted it to go ahead but, rather than the usual free for all, we wanted it to be as a more intimate gathering of the family and their closest friends. It was now a special tribute to Shamrock and a thanks for his life.

Rest in peace, beautiful boy.

We feared it may all be a very sad and sombre affair and, of course, there were many tears and loads of hugs to start with followed by a quiet stroll up to the Memorial Bench at the top of the field but then the dogs took over and, in true Shamrock tradition, they frolicked and played.

Unfortunately, Bobby was unable to make it but all the other “kids” got together with their Mum. It was so sad that one very special one was missing.

The dogs had great fun as usual so it wasn’t sad but it was very positive and uplifting as we also remembered the other dogs we had lost …. Paula and Julian’s Barney, Julie’s Megan, Barbara’s Micha and Heidi, Denise’s Molly, Kerrigan and Jason’s Bizzi, Romy and Archie and Pauline’s Gizmo and Sprocket. So many angels but all in Heaven and watched over, of course, by our dearest friend Belinda who would be surrounded by them all at Rainbow Bridge.

We know she would be looking after Shamrock for us and that they were just a heartbeat away.

SHAMROCK’S HISTORY

ONE OF OUR MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

Shamrock was the third of seven puppies to be born to Lily arriving just after midnight so his date of birth is 14th June. He was the first boy of our Magnificent Seven. The other two boys being Briar (now Bobby) and Bramble (now Axl).

The four girls are Poppy, Daisy, Rose (now Meme Rose) and Honey.
Two of the girls were born on 13th June and all five of the other pups arrived on 14th June 2015. They were all amazingly strong and healthy considering nobody knew Lily had arrived heavily pregnant and having had none of the usual care and attention that an expectant Mum needs and would normally get.

Shamrock went to live in Wiltshire with his big brother Barney and their lovely humans, Paula and Julian.

On 9.8.2015, Barbara told us “Shamrock went off a little while ago with his new friend Barney. I’m sure he will be absolutely fine but I was quite choked to see him go. Lily is now staying much closer to the last two than she usually does.

FIRST NEWS FROM HIS FOREVER HOME

He is a big and beautiful boy and we all think it is great to see him settling so well.

On 11. 8. 2015, Paula said, “As I type, Shamrock is laying at my feet, snoozing. At the vet, yesterday, he tipped the scales at a very healthy 7.55 kg. We know this was down to Barbara’s good feeding, love and care.

In the pic, the “littleman” is crashed out underneath our camping chairs. As we haven’t quite finished the garden room yet, it is a good space for his play pen which is invaluable for when I have to pop out o when Barney and I need a little break from his antics!!!!!! I’d forgotten how lively little pups are or am I just getting old?

Shamrock isn’t left alone. I am getting up really early to walk Barney before Julian goes to work.

Shamrock has some new toys however many of them have been accumulated over the years! He likes the ones that make noises … the goble goble turkey. The peperomia that says things like “you’re tickling me”. It also says “I’ve seen scarier Chihuahua’s” plus lots of other phrases. We also have a cockerel that sings jingle bells although it’s a little faint as it has been washed lots of times! We also have a sheep that “baas” and a musical trumpet plus a big fish with smaller fish inside which is an activity toy!

Julian is play fighting with Shamrock who is very strong and confident. Barney also likes having him so it is all boys together!”;

Clearly, Shamrock is not in the least bit spoilt bless him!!!!!

SHAMROCK HAD A WONDERFUL LIFE WITH BARNEY

Shamrock grew and grew and grew some more, turning into a stunningly handsome male. What we had thought had been a Golden Retriever puppy was, clearly, something else, something quite unique. Finding out about the conditions suffered by Lily following a court case, our suspicions were confirmed and, it was obvious, the litter were Golden Retriever x Huskies.

Ever patient Barney showed Shamrock the ropes. They enjoyed lovely walks on the Plains, nearby where they live, had wonderful holidays together and, of course, they were a very important part of Gizzie’s Get Togethers just outside Bath.

Shamrock and his siblings remained friends and their humans all became very close too. Honey and Shamrock often managed to meet up when on their holidays

HIS THIRD BIRTHDAY WAS MARRED BY SADNESS (9.6.2018)

The third birthday party was tinged with great sadness as dear old Barney fell asleep for the last time and peacefully crossed Rainbow Bridge and their holiday in North Wales was just not the same without Barney.