08-09-96  02-01-05

 'Ginger Rogers'

Pedigree

Every now again we are privileged to have something so very special come into our lives and Ginger Rogers was one of those. From the second she was born she had my heart and I never really knew why. She was funny, difficult, loving, exceptionally clever and so very very beautiful. She was named Ginger Rogers after the dancer, this little girl was always flexing her legs and dancing around and was so darned dainty and girlie it wasn't true but boy could she act. As a five week old puppy I heard her scream while playing with her siblings, rushed out to see what had happened and there she was holding a leg in the air, fearing the worst I wrapped her in a blanket and rushed her off to the vets, by the time we got there she was deeply asleep and when we went in the surgery we couldn't wake her, the vet took her temperature, she didn't move, after a few tests he told me she was comatose with the shock although the leg seemed ok, gave her something and told me to take her home and let him know if anything changed, in the car home not a flicker of life. I was hysterical that this little darling I had waited so long for was not going to survive and was sobbing my heart my heart out. We arrived home with this limp bundle, opened the front door and tenderly carried her in, she opened one eye, twitched, saw her mum Peanut and almost leapt out of my arms screaming with joy, no sign even of a limp!.....that was when I first suspected if Ginger didn't like something or it bored her she might just sleep through it, I was so right, she slept while being bathed, slept on the grooming table and I often had to catch her as she almost went over, she always tried to sleep through vets visits if possible and she snored, loudly and unashamedly.

The rest of the time she was a bundle of energy, convinced she was the boss and mothered anything in sight. Mornings were funny, she would sit on the bed looking in the mirror and had to have her hair brushed before she went downstairs, would stand up at the sink demanding her teeth were cleaned and then was ready to start the day. No matter what she did, did she ever look dirty or untidy, she kept her own nails immaculate and gave herself a pedicure last thing every night. She was the ringleader in everything the girls did and lived up to her name of the endlessly energetic busy little Hummingbird. She adored puppies and would mother any that were born, including Peanuts second litter, which was just as well as Pea decided that she didn't really want to be a mum again so left Ginger to it apart from feeding them. She would take over visiting older puppies and they all adored her. The one thing she was insistent on was that she was called by her full name of Ginger Rogers, Ginger just wouldn't do and she totally ignored anyone who called her that apart from one special friend.

One of the lovely times I had with her was on an evening I took her for a walk on her own on the seafront, I met my son and as it was a nice evening we decided to sit outside a pub on the front and have a drink, we hadn't realised it was Hastings old town carnival night until it started to get very busy, Ginger Rogers loved it, the crowds attention was drawn to this beautiful Affie sitting up on the bench with us and soon she was holding court, someone got her a drink, others offered crisps and hotdogs which she daintily declined but she smirked and simpered at everyone batting her eye lashes at all the men and lapped up the attention, it ended up with an invite for her for to be the guest of honour at a gay night on the pier which I had to sadly decline on her behalf as it didn't start until 1am....she was willing but....

Ginger Rogers was also a showgirl, when the mood took her! if not there was no way she would do it, when she did want to show she was a joy and did us proud, at her first champ show in a big entry, beautifully handled by Melissa she won minor puppy with two of her sisters going 3rd and 5th to her out of a class of 25, among her many wins was puppy group 3 at Bath CH and a reserve ticket from Linda Bishop, she was winning BOBs out of puppy in good entries, BP in shows and BISs and it was very rare to come home empty handed with her. She was difficult though and one of the days she really played up was when Ann Berry wanted to give her the ticket at Windsor, she gave her chance after chance but Ginger Rogers after going beautifully in her class had decided no and she meant it! Just as well the shows have never been that important to me really or I would have been heartbroken sometimes, that was my Ginger Rogers though, it was all or nothing with her and I couldn't care less, I adored her just as she was.  Her very last show was one of the only two veteran classes she did, it was Crufts, Plum the puppy had eaten all of the fringes off of one of her ears a few days before but I decided to take her anyway and Ginger Rogers flew! just a bit too much, I had this springboard on my hands leaping and laughing and having a whale of a time and from being pulled out first she threw the class away by being a total clown, you would have thought she was an untrained 6 months old puppy but it was wonderful to see her having such fun even if she did end up at the end of the line up, I am so glad I didn't try to stop her now.

She was perfect to me and I miss her so very much. I received something in the post that made me want to share one small part of Ginger Rogers life with some of you. A man who had been in prison for very many years was going to be rehabilitated, he was desperately sad and lonely at the time and full of remorse for the past. On his first home leave I was asked if I would meet him as I knew him a long time ago, I agreed to meet him on the seafront for a coffee and a chat and took Ginger Rogers with me, she felt his need the instant they met and I was surprised at the amount of tenderness she was giving him, I wasn't going to take him to my house but my Ginger Rogers was insistent he came and led him home, she was constantly looking at him with concern and telling him everything was 'going to be alright', photo's of Ginger Rogers are on the prison walls where she still brings comfort and today I received the following from that man, true beauty comes from the inside and Ginger was a true beauty!

♥ 'It was a cold windy August day when I first met what I considered to be one of the most beautiful looking dogs I ever saw. I sat in that shelter on the prom, Ginger nuzzled her little head into my lap and as I stroked her a feeling that I am unable to describe came across me. Then I took her lead and walked along the prom with Ginger trotting alongside me, she kept looking up at me with those beautiful eyes and I knew then this was going to be a bond that would be hard for anyone to break Ginger later insisted that I go home to meet her sisters, it was wonderful to have her laying on my lap while I tried to drink my coffee but it was much harder when she started to show concern when it came time for me to leave but I visited her whenever I could and was always guaranteed a very warm welcome from her, my fondness grew so much for that dog that I even sent her a Christmas card.  Photos of us together now adorn my walls and I am proud to say that for the short time I knew her she has given me such wonderful memories, memories that will stay with me forever. Finally it's true what they say, "A dog is a mans best friend" because Ginger certainly was mine Rest in peace Ginger I will miss you.' (Name withheld)

Ginger Rogers

To everyone who posted their sympathies to me on her loss I would like to say thank you and a special thank you to Sylvia and Jo, they got me through an exceptionally bad time bless them.

♥ Dear Hazy My heart is breaking for you. I know the pain you must be feeling with just saying good bye to Ginger today. Know this. You gave her the greatest gift of love you could and you let her go home to God so she would not suffer. I know those words don't help right now, but just take comfort in knowing she is safe and healthy now. She does not have any pain is probably running around having a great time. She already knows that it is only good bye for awhile and she'll be with you again. The circle of life and love always comes around too fast for us but it is the joy that we receive from our babies that makes it all worthwhile. Unfortunately - love isn't free, it comes with pain; the pain and grief we suffer when the love is taken away. However, we must remember that we have been honoured to have been able to share the time we had with our precious babies and look back on those days and years with love and appreciation for all they have given us. Your precious Ginger is watching over you and will be waiting for you for when the time is right to help ease your crossing. Then you will be together again forever. Take one day at a time, allow yourself to miss her and grieve for her, it is natural.  "Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation."  Love Jo

♥ There are NO words I KNOW how you are feeling. YOU take care my thoughts are VERY much with YOU. SYLVIA

♥ Dear Hazel, I have just heard of your sad loss. I really am so very sorry. I know how much Ginger meant to you and what you are feeling. It seems only the other day that Billy left. I still cry every time I think of him. Please take care, I'm thinking of you and am here if you need anything. Love, Shirley

♥ I am so so sorry Hazel. Saw a huge Rainbow when we got to the beach, and I just knew that time was running out. Tears mixed with salt water and rain, but the girls had a lovely time being free and playing with the other dogs. Realized when you didn't get back to me this morning, that the nightmare wasn't going away. She is at peace now, with her mummy, and she is inside your heart forever. Call me whenever you need me, you know where I am.  love Mo

♥ Please pass on my deepest condolences, Ginger is so special and shall remain so forever in my heart and memories. Sleep well beautiful girl, you will never be forgotten here. All my love Nikki (Jahera)

♥ So sorry Hazel - awful for you . You are probably being really sad about Ginger Rogers Thinking of you Love. Liz Nazer

♥ I'm so sorry Hazel - that's dreadful news. Can't say any more than I'm thinking of you, and sharing your pain Marcelle xxx

 ♥ Very very sad news about Ginger Rogers.....I am so sorry.. I know how much she meant to you both..... Lots of Love   Jackie Day  xxx

♥ Haze, couldn’t sleep, just came to me to check out the forum. Cant think of anything to say apart from I'm so sorry. Have to go, Nik (Poeme) xxxx

♥ Hazel, Just returned from abroad, and read that you have finally lost Ginger Rogers. I am so sad for you, I was in tears myself. The sadness affects us all, Yvonne rang me on Monday to delay my collecting my two, as she had to make the decision for her 16 year old lady on Monday. More tears. I remember last year the silly old girl trotting down the road oblivious to the fact that she shouldn't, plenty of spring still! Our lives are  enriched by our wonderful companions and they put so much love in our hearts, and somehow sharing the loss makes us all closer. Love. Gerry

♥ Please pass on our condolences to Hazel and Ray, we are thinking of them at this very sad time, love Jackie and Alan

♥ Please pass on my sympathies to Hazel at this sad time. Jackie (Portiana)

♥ Please pass on our deepest sympathies to all those at Zanavar. Peggy, Ron and Nadine

♥ Please pass on our deepest sympathy to Hazel and Ray over Ginger. I was only talking to her the other day about her. I know she will be totally devastated. Pat and Rob

♥ Please give Hazel and Ray our sincere condolences, our love and hugs. Ginger Rogers is at peace now.  Sleep well, Ginger.  With your ears the length they were before the puppy got em! Love and respect Brian and David NUMA AFGHAN HOUNDS

♥ Sorry to hear of Hazel’s loss, please pass on my condolences Regards. Tina Bunting

♥ Oh Hazel!  I see that you have lost your beloved Ginger. I am so sorry my love – I know how much you loved her.  You must feel absolutely devastated, - you have all gone through so much. Please know that I am thinking of you and Ray at this bloody awful time. All my love Lesley

♥ Dear Hazel, have had a good cry tonight reading your lovely story on Ginger Rogers and the man in prison.  Hazel I am not going to say any more to you , I think you know what I mean. Goodnight and God bless, Moira and Bob xxx

♥ Hello Hazel, I think we sometimes love our Afghans too much, if that is possible, and that is why it is so very hard to say goodbye - coupled with the fact that their lives are so very short in comparison to our own.  I know I could never love mine less even knowing the heartache they bring when we have to say goodbye - but their love and companionship and true devotion is worth having in spite of all this. You've had the double blow of losing both Peanut and Ginger in such a short space of time and that creates it's own problems for you, as it did for us with our losses.  All you can do is remember the lovely times you had with both girls, know that you gave them the best of everything, and hard as it is, thank whoever is above for the pleasure of having them to love. All our love. Di. Searle

♥ Please give my condolences to Hazel and family at this very sad time...so sorry. very best wishes, Sylvia (Sylmick)

♥ As it is awful! I very much sympathize you! Keep! She for ever remain in your ideas!  She now in the sky with angels also looks at you! Svetlana (Latvia)

♥Hello Haz, just to let you know I’m thinking of you at this sad time ,I’m so so sorry Ginger lost her brave fight and I know no words will be able to express the feelings I know you are feeling but I found this  and thought it so beautiful. 'Love is much more than a gentle caress for lasting love is made up of sharing both hours that are joyous and also despairing and nothing on earth or in heaven can part a love that has grown to be part of the heart for true love lives on when earthly things die for its part of the spirit that soars to the sky' hugs Haz, Pauline xxx

♥ Sorry to hear of Hazels loss, please pass on my condolences. Regards Tina (Bunting)

♥ Please give Hazel my condolences, when appropriate, about her dog. I've never met her or her dog. But several weeks ago, we shared e-mails about the Rainbow Bridge and my dog Mandy. I told her I think about Mandy all the time and cry. She died at 6 yrs. old from Lymphoma. I thought the lumps on the back of her leg, which were always small, were blood vessels. So I never asked a Vet until I noticed the ones in her throat. I still thought she just had an infection of some type. Boy did I ever get a shock when the Vet came back with cancer. It took the breath right out of me. I couldn't stop crying and cried for what seemed like days on end. There was nothing they could do for her. She was diagnosed in January and died in May. Right after my birthday. It was the most devastating time in my life. I still cry to this day. Hazel understood and sent me a wonderful poem. I have it right here where I can get to it anytime.
I'm gonna need it as Mandy's sister is now 12 and having difficulties associated with being older. The Vet gave me pills to help her breathing. She sometimes stands up and then falls flat on the ground. I scream. She sometimes staggers when she gets up and walks. I cry over that, too. She sleeps next to my bed and this morning when I got up I called to her because she usually stirs when I do. She didn't move. I shook her and she felt cold. She still didn't move. I called her name several times and still no movement. I cried/screamed her name. She finally stirred and lifted her head up with a look of what's all the excitement? The panic took awhile to subside. She likes to stand under my desk while I type at the computer. She's here now. She wants to be petted while I type. That's such a relief. I know Hazel understands. Thank you. Please send her my condolences. Kim, Suleyman, Blossom and Sugar!

♥ A Brilliant Rainbow
(Terri Onorato)
High on whispered wings I fly,
A radiant star, I light the sky.
Toward the sun I soar so free,
A brilliant rainbow follows me.
I pulsate through your very soul
and in my paws your heart I hold.
The day will come when you'll fly too,
I'll be here then to welcome you
Until the time we meet again
I won't journey far my friend.
For in your love I live so free,
A brilliant rainbow guiding me.
Be strong Haze, I know how hard it is right now.

 We are all thinking of you and are here if you need us, love Nik xxxxxx

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Updated 23-04-06

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23-04-06