 | Afghan Hound Database and Breed Information Exchange Robin Selinger's Page (Speaking Scooping Afghans) |  |
I see you still have my story included, which I thoroughly enjoyed seeing -
altho, I see that 'Annie's' picture has been replaced with a black puppy (Ed note, we'll fix that as soon as Robin sends us the new pix) .
For some reason, I don't have Annie's picture on this computer, but I've
attached some pictures of my first Afghan, my beloved Phooka, who helped me
"get through" my teenage years, if you care to use any of those.
On another note, I recently 'rescued' two Chinese Crested Powderpuff dogs.
I had seen the breed years ago, and was enraptured with them - they looked
like miniature Afghan Hounds! Having purchased every available book on the
breed (both!) mention that these dogs are related to the Afghan Hound
Since originally writing to you, I have made quite a few changes, including
moving out to 'the country' where my beautiful 'kids' ran free on almost
seven acres. I've also travelled extensively throughout Southeast Asia,
Europe, and to Leeds and York, on business for my employer - all the while
collecting more Afghan Hound figurals!
Valentino (10) passed away quite suddenly on October 15, due to
complications resulting from a low red blood cell count. Due to our remote
location, it was up to me to locate a blood donor for a transfusion and I
will forever be grateful to the girl who just happened to be in the vet's
office at the time and brought in her 100 lb Akita to provide the blood (I
don't even know her name!). Unfortunately, Valentino did not have enough
fight left, and shortly after the transfusion was complete, while I held his
beautiful blond face and stared into those big chocolate brown eyes, our
eyes locked on each other for a moment, he cried out twice, and was gone.
Almost immediately afterwards, Dominique began to show her age, a glorious
15 on Christmas Eve. She, once completely and thoroughly independant, has
become a bit distressed if left alone for any length of time. Never in all
her years has she ever whined, cried or complained in any way, but
expresses herself totally with her beautiful dark eyes, and lets me know
that she is sorry she is 'incontinent' (luckily I have tile floors!) and
wants to be by my side always.
She is losing the use of the muscles in her back legs, but when she is
having a 'good day' she still chases our three horses whilst on her side of
the fence and thoroughly enjoys her nightly 'job'. I put a leash on her and
run the leash through my belt so she is attached to me, and together we walk
down to the feed room with the wheel barrow and grab the horses' hay. She
prances along in stride with me, and although she occasionally stumbles and
is out of breath by the time we return to the house, I know she likes the
feeling of having a purpose.
It is so difficult to see a once beautiful, amazing agile Afghan Hound such
as Dominique, who used to leap straight up in the air (all 75 lbs when
young) become a 'feeble' old girl, but her spirit is still young and strong.
I checked her family history and did note that several of her ancestors
lived to 17 years, and one, an amazing 22 years, so I keep positive thoughts
and will always endeavor to provide the best for her. I only wish she could
tell me when it is 'time' as I naturally, do not want her to suffer in any
way.
Update 6th June 2003
Here, unfortunately, is the last 'chapter' of the story of Dominique and
Valentino:
(b 12/24/87 - d 5/29/03)
Dominique finally told me it was 'time' - I had dreaded this moment for so
many years, and had hoped she would tell me when the time was here, and she
did.
Having a geriatric dog is the epitome of taking life one day at a time, some
good days, some bad days, but never bad enough to be certain of what the
next move should be, or was that just denial on my part?
The day before Memorial Day, when I
gave her a bath and, on a whim, put her in the swimming pool, she swam her
'figure 8's' just like she did many, many years ago. It seemed to
revitalize her, and I had planned on making it a part of her daily therapy,
but it was only temporary, or only wishful
thinking..........
Dominique is gone, and her suffering is over. When I came home last night
and walked out to the patio to check on her, she was just coming in from
being outside. I took one look at her and knew she had had enough.
I brought her in the house and helped her up on 'her' couch. That was the
last time she would walk on her own. Her beautiful long legs, which had
once carried her like the wind, and had helped her leap straight into the
air whenever she saw me, now had betrayed her beyond all hope. Her appetite,
once ferocious to the point her nicknames were ‘Piggy’ and 'Pigster', had
in the past few days become non-existent, her breathing now very shallow,
and I could see in her eyes that she was already halfway on to her next
life.
I sat across from her on my couch and she just kept staring at me. I then
sat next to her, the first time she ever let anyone share ‘her’ couch, and
talked to her, and combed her hair and stayed up with her all night long.
I carried her out the patio in the morning, and put her on some pillows in
front of the fan. I just stayed with her, combing her and talking to her until she was gone. I kept telling her
not to fight it, to close her eyes and 'go gently into that good night'
where she would see Annie again, and Valentino, and she could chase him all
over heaven, and that there is no pain and there are no fleas in heaven.
Then she was gone. It was relatively quick, painless, and quiet, and at
least she went in familiar surroundings, with her head in my lap and my arms
around her.
It was the best way she could go and I am glad it is over, for her sake. I
certainly never expected to have her as long as I did. She was always
"Mommy's Good Girl"; even the time she bit the mailman!
This is the first time in nearly 30 years that I am ‘Hound-less’ and I don’t
know what to do with myself! The presence of an Afghan Hound in one’s life
cannot be duplicated by any other. And I do have many others; my Cresteds
are jumping through hoops trying to console me, as are the 7 cats. Even the
newest arrival, Diablo, the Catalina Macaw, has been kinder to me!
Last night was the first night I had to go down to the stables to check on
the horses without my great companion, Dominique, by my side; it was a very
lonely walk.
I would like to thank the folks at The Senior Dogs Project
and Hope Leedom, from the Afghan Rescue
of Central Florida for their most useful websites, and for their most encouraging words to me during
these past few months. Hope, I will be in touch for another ‘Aff’, most
likely two, when the time is right. I cannot imagine life without ‘em!
Robin
robins@xpedite.com
January 2003
Robin Selinger's Page (Speaking Scooping Afghans)
Originally posted 1999
I have been owned by Afghan Hounds practically all of my life, my mother owned one of Shirkhan Of Grandeur's in the mid-50's when I was born. I currently have two, of which one is a descendant of Shirkhan's - her "cousin" came in best of breed two years in a row I believe at Westminster. As much as I love all animals, I cannot seem to bring myself to own any other breed!. Do your Afghans "speak" I thought my Phooka (Dec 1978) was the only one that did that - but after two years my "Valentino" has started to do that and the other one "Dominique" seems to be picking it up also!. Dominique came from a breeder who decided to give up the business and Valentino was a stray, a victim of Hurricane Andrew - he developed some very peculiar habits while living on his own - he scoops up and "stashes" any unbeaten treats, puts them inside one particular bush and doles them out later if I dont feed them on time - he also lifts trash can lids and has taught Dominique all his bad tricks!
Valentino acts more like a common mutt than an aristocrat and only after two years has he learned to enjoy being groomed. Dominique will jump on the table and sta
nd for hours! Phooka was a clean fanatic - when I was young, with the typical messy teenagers room, he would work all night long moving whatever was on the floor and putting it in my trash can! In his later years he got into the fine art of tearing perfect little squares from throw rugs - but they were perfect little squares" He also would dive off cliffs with me 20-30 feet into a river, he never wanted to be away from my side! The two I have now seem like perpetual five year olds, playful, loving, demanding, very sweet and good natures - allthough left in the house, Dominique, if bored will lean over and start chewing on a table, leg, desk, whatever is in reach
I also collect Afghan Hound anything and have quite a collection of figurines including two marked "Made In USSR" one "Wade England", "Beswick" and one from Mexico. I also have a large sterling pin made in Mexico, and very nice little desk clock found in of all places a Sears store
(robins@xpedite.com)
1999