Ode to Ruben... Our lovable but crazy woofer!

I can't believe this day has actually come around...

Last night I made one of the worst decisions that I've ever had to make in my life, to have our dog Ruben put to sleep. It felt so wrong to be doing this to what is a essentially a beautiful dog but we've endured 6 years of fear and tension having lived with his unpredictable rages. I haven't stopped sobbing for 24 hours straight but I know I made the right decision.

It was by chance that I spotted his photo on an animal rescue site just over 6 years ago now.  He was just a month old pup and I fell in love with him there and then.

Definitely not the runt of the Littler!

He was the chubbiest one out of a litter of 8 and when he was 12 weeks old we took him home. We got him micro-chipped, jabbed and started training and socialising him with other dogs and people within days.  We also got him neutered at about 10 months. Everything was great for another 12 months or so and then he had to visit the vets to have a blade of grass removed from his nose (he'd been sneezing like crazy).  For some reason he went into a rage when the vet tried to treat him and she ended-up having to sedate him and keep him in overnight to get it out.  She warned us then that he had a nasty side and to keep our eye on his behaviour.  We poo pood it initially believing she'd been a little severe with him but it wasn't too long after that that he proved her right by biting me. Each time he bit us or somebody else we made every excuse in the book for him but I was always living in fear that it was only a matter of time before he did somebody some serious damage.

Over the last  years his rages have got slowly more frequent where by during the last few months we've taken to muzzling him each time we go out.  I couldn't put off the inevitable any longer and made the painful decision last night to take him to a local vets and let him go!

I am beating myself up about it, I feel like a horrible person for making that final decision and will be grieving for months but I also know I've made the best decision for all and I'm just going to have to live with that!  We've got some beautiful memories of life with Ruben and it's those I'll remember whenever I'm thinking of him. I'm seriously wary of any dog I come across now and know I'll never own another dog in my life... I never realised how hard it would be!

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. 

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. 

There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. 

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigour; 

those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,

just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. 

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing;

they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. 

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. 

His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. 

Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. 

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. 

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Rubens life was documented throughout my old walking blog from when we lived and worked in France, you will find lots of photos and stories about him there but for now I've posted some of my favourites of him below!

Cheeky Chappy!

Caught mid air!

Paddling in a brook!

Me and Rube!

Cooling off!

Poser!

Close-up!

Drooling!

The Reward!

Stalking!

Favourite pastime!

Living on the boat

We've been living on the boat since 22nd December 2012 and I can honestly say I'm loving it.

Barton Marina, Christmas 2012

Cosy Salon

It may be winter and freezing outside but we're all cosy and comfy aboard 'The Cat'... It's just so relaxing, totally 'away from it all' and just think, if we like it now, how much are we going to enjoy cruising and life aboard in the warmer months. It's just what we all needed after the stress of the last few months.

Galley Kitchen

Life in Barton Marina is very laid back with plenty going-on right on your doorstep.  Well thought-out and beautifully landscaped with scenic walks around the many lakes it has all the usual marina facilities plus more to make life easier for the boaters.  There is also 'The Waterfront Pub' which although quite new has a nice cosy atmosphere.  They have live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night and although we haven't actually been yet (we get too comfy in the Captains chairs) we can't hear anything from where we're moored at the far side of the marina.

Moored-up in the Marina

There's also a new Thai restaurant called 'Nipa' which looks very nice (we're due to dine there next Saturday night with friends) and various 'artisan' shops including an excellent butchers. The lovely 'unspoilt' village of Barton Under Needwood is a pleasant 10 minute stroll away and is well served with lots of services too.

Cruising the T&M

Although we like it in the marina we can't wait to get out on the cut.  Last weekend we managed to escape it's confines and had a little trip down the Trent and Mersey to Alrewas (about 2.5 miles).

 Mooring at Alrewas

Entering the Lock

We hadn't started 'The Cat' since arriving at the marina but I'm pleased to report that she started first time.  Such a relief after all the hassle we had with my dad's old boat... No messing about spraying the engine with 'Cold Start' and all that nonsense. ;-)  The photos I've posted here were taken with my new iPhone (a recent treat to myself), my friend Jean spotted them after I'd posted them to my Facebook profile and joined us for the journey back on the Sunday... I think she enjoyed her first ever Narrowboat trip looking at her face!

Jean at the bow

Talking about the phone, I'm really pleased with my new gadget, I've spent hours discovering all it can do and having it hooked-up to the internet with The One Plan from Three is absolutely brilliant, all you can eat data, tethering and no worrying about topping-up.  Perfect for when we really get cruising. It's great to be finally catching up with the 21st Century.

On the home front... We'll soon be the proud new owners of a nice little semi that backs on to the Wyrley and Essington Canal if all goes to plan.  It has a decent size garden for Ruben, a great outlook onto open fields at the rear and once we've settled in we'll be contacting CaRT to re-establish an end-of-garden mooring for The Cat... Watch this space!

Ps I may have cussed my dads boat earlier but 'Norwind' will always have a place in my heart (as it did in his) and I'm truly pleased to still be in touch (via Facebook) with the gentleman who is now the owner of
it. He wrote earlier this month to let me know that he and his wife spent boxing day aboard the boat and appears to still be really pleased with the old thing... The boat not the wife that is :-)

That's it for now... Hopefully next time I post we'll be 'in the house'!