A Phonecall From Mrs Trellis

Tonight, after some shit tv and a mediocre dinner, I had just promised Chris that I would go up to the garage to buy him some crisps when the phone went.
It was Mrs Trellis.
She was tearful and very upset
Her beloved border collie Sooty had just died peacefully in his bed.
"I've got no-one to tell" she said sadly and Chris immediately turned off the tv so I could hear the full story.
Mrs Trellis and Sooty have been inseparable friends for over a decade. They made a memorable couple  seen almost daily in Trelawnyd., where he would drag her around the village like a rag doll and she knowing his chronic bad temper would yank him into any and every front garden in a futile bid to keep him from snapping at any passing dog.
It was this aggressive nature that caused me and Chris to nickname him Satan.
They were an incongruous couple.

There was nothing I could do but to support and listen as only a dog owner could support and listen
But there was something incredibly sad about an old lady talking about her dead dog, when the dog in question was curled up in his kitchen basket as though he was asleep.
My heart ached for her.
We talked for a while and although I was ready to dig his grave in the dark ,I was grateful that she had arranged for the animal rescue centre to pick him up tomorrow , so  I let her tell me all about their adventures over the years until she had run down like a clock.
I asked her to ring us ,if she needed anything ...there was nothing else I could do

I finally got to the garage late and bought Chris' favourite Chicken crisps and on impulse I bought an untidy bunch of garage shop flowers that was standing by the entrance. Ones with a couple of odd looking very blue blooms included( you know the sort) and I stopped at Mrs Trellis' neat little house on the way home with them.

"The house is so quiet" she said forlornly when I called in, and I was so glad I had stopped even though all I had to offer was some cheap crap flowers.

No one should be alone...not when you have lost a dear loved one.........even if that loved one was a bad tempered dog who seemed to have hated the world........

Hey ho
Hey 

80 comments:

  1. you are a good man, john. what will mrs trellis do now for company?

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    1. She has another farm dog in mind to adopt anne marie x

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  2. Glad she had a kindred spirit to share her sorrow with.

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  3. Oh, poor Mrs Trellis. Even the worst tempered sentinel being is going to have someone to mourn its passing.

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  4. You are the one to call, John.

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    1. You too jimbo! ........if you lived closer

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  5. You are such a good person! That was all so very sweet of you.

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  6. And we see a heart so big we have no doubts why Chris fell in love with you...

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    1. All of us here would have popped in to see mrs trellis
      Its what we do

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  7. What a lovely thing to do. I remember when it was Patch's time and i would have loved her to go to sleep in her basket. Still one of the hardest (& best) things I have ever done. I still fill up when I think of it and it's nearly 6 years later. I think only another dog owner (animal owner) gets it. Now I'm off to get a cuddle from Anni B before I go to bed and send one to Mrs T.

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  8. You did just what I thought you would, John. That was very thoughtful of you and that`s why I follow your blog. Deb

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  9. God Bless you and Chris's sweet hearts for looking after her. I'm able to comment again now my laptops back and also just wanted to say I loved your wedding posts and to wish both of your the very best.

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  10. good for you for buying her the flowers.

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  11. You are a sweet, good human being. Bless.

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  12. I know how she's feeling. We all can use a bouquet at times like that, no matter where they came from -- It's that thought and the friendship that counts.

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  13. You are so sweet, thank you for being there for someone in need.

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  14. You are such a lovely man. Poor Mrs Trellis.
    I hope that your day includes a scotch egg or two.

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  15. I watched a dog training show yesterday and one naughty dog looked a lot like our late beloved old dog. Old dog died three years ago, I still weep when remembering her and miss her.
    Beneath your tough guy exterior you are a softy. No wonder so many of us love reading your blog. It was very kind of you to listen to Mrs Trellis and bring her the flowers.

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  16. Glad you were there for support John. The loss of a loved companion dog is such a sad time . Xxxx

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  17. It is lovely that Mrs Trellis felt she could phone you and pour her heart out and even lovelier that you allowed this to happen. Farewell Satan!

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  18. It's so important to be able to share grief with someone who understands. I'm glad Mrs T had you to listen and that she knew it.

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  19. I remember you blogging about Satan previously.

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  20. My dog died twenty-five years ago and I'm still not over losing him. In the years since full-time jobs and apartment living have never allowed the sharing of walks with another one.

    I too am glad you were there for Mrs. Trellis.

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  21. Anonymous1:31 am

    A little bit of kindness goes a long way doesn't it?

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  22. Mrs. T loved her companion with all his faults. That is not so unusual.

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  23. i'm glad she didnt have to make that awful decision to end his life.
    you made me cry

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  24. This is so sad, for both of them.
    Is she the older lady with the wonderful big smile and hat at the your open house.

    cheers, parsnip

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  25. What a blessing for her that she had you to talk to about her dear dog, and then you surprised her with a visit and flowers. I hope one day she adopts another dog companion.

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  26. This is why we love you, John. Your empathy knows no bounds. I still grieve over my lost pets and some have been gone for years. Bless you and Chris. More villages need couples like you.

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  27. Sad for Mrs Trellis. Losing a loved one is never good. I wonder what a pet goes through when the owner dies or leaves him.

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  28. The flowers you gave her were a sweet touch John Gray, but it was the other three gifts you gave her that were the best.

    What gifts?

    Your open heart.
    Your listening ear and soft shoulder.
    Your time.

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  29. Poor Mrs T. She will probably need some special care for a while, such things can leave people very depressed. I hope there are others in the village who are as caring as you. Please send our condolences from 'blogging world'.

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  30. Cro is right, Mrs Trellis will need an eye kept on her for a while, especially if she is on her own. I'm glad she had you to talk to.

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  31. So sorry for Mrs T, and relieved that she could talk to someone - someone who wouldn't belittle her loss in the way of "It's only a dog!" and then try to change the subject. (Something I can't abide.) It's a very real and deep emotion, and I myself have a daily dread of losing my four-pawed feline fur-balls, being as old as they now are, 16 and 12. I may be wanting to talk to someone like you, J.G, for the same reason before very long. Only trouble is, there's no one!

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    1. There is us!!

      Hugs

      xx

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    2. Thanks, Jennifer, but I suspect you know what I mean - if not someone here 'in the flesh' then at least the next best thing, i.e. someone to whom feelings can be poured out, such as being on the end of a phone. But let's not jump the gun as it hasn't happened.

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  32. Bless you...poor lady.x

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  33. If you see her, please give her a big hug from me….I know how she feels, as do all of the dog lovers here! I still cry when I think of my dear boy who was put peacefully to sleep nearly 2 years ago. I hope that she gets another companion asap…..it helps a bit.

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  34. John you have a heart of gold.
    I think all of us dog lovers know what it is like to lose a loved dog - and it is harder when one lives alone (I have lost one under these circumstances) - the trouble is that folk who don't own (or like) dogs definitely do not understand the heart ache.
    An old man who lived by us years ago in the Midlands lost his beloved Jack Russell and declared he would not get another one as it would outlive him. His daughter and the vet had to connive and lie in order to get him to agree to take a Jack Russell which they told him would be put down if he didn't take it. Within weeks it was fetching his slippers and his morning paper from the front step just like his old one had done. And he outlived that one!

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  35. You sweet man. A pet leaves a huge gap, even a bad tempered one.

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  36. I'm sorry for Mrs Trellis too, but I'd wish for all of mine to go like that...gently in their sleep, in their own beds.... :-(

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  37. You lovely sweet man, my condolences to Mrs Trellis xx

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  38. You are such a good man John. I wish i was closer so i could talk to her.

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  39. Poor Mrs Trellis. You really are a good Samaritan John.

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  40. Yer a good lad! xxx
    Poor Mrs Trellis, hugs to her for taking on a the unsociable dog, R.I.P. Sooty, Mrs T loved you. xxx

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  41. Poor Mrs Trellis. John you are a love xx

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  42. You are such a lovely man, that you would take the dear old lady flowers and also that you would go out in the cold dark night to get your new husband his favourite crisps! My heart melted twice over 😍

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    1. We had a row.......i was making up xxxx

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    2. Geez, not even a honeymoon phase. Or were you arguing about whether you were allowed to pack your old ragged swim suit for the trip?

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    3. Well I don't think my husband would have done the same for me lol! Hope you are friends again now xx

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  43. You put me in mind of my recently deceased BFF's dog, an irritable black rodent-like creature who snapped at everything including the hands that fed her. Helen had rescued her from the noose.
    You are so very kind, John, in so many ways. And this account brought tears.
    XO
    WWW

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  44. Very sad. As you mention, probably what she misses most of all is simply his company, his pottering around the house and all his typical little habits.

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    1. Like trying to rip out the throat of any passing shitzu

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  45. Very sweet thing for you to do John. So sad that she lost her furry partner. Nothing can replace them.

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  46. Anonymous1:19 pm

    So sorry...but does she read your blog? Satan?

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    1. She knows it was a joke susie......as her name is

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  47. Your kindness just blew me away John.
    What a fabulous neighbour you are.
    So sorry for Mrs Trellis-x-

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  48. Kindness and compassion -- what the world needs more of. Poor old Mrs. Trellis.

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  49. Those "cheap crap flowers" were worth a fortune. You're a sweetheart. My heart goes out to Mrs Trellis for blessing Sooty Satan with so much love.

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  50. Beautiful gesture. The best gesture. I am sure it meant the world to her.

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  51. That's love .... we love our friends whether they be human or animals, despite their bad habits. Lovely that you were there for her to listen when she needed to talk, being a friendly Samaritan in your own home.

    The flowers were a thoughtful gesture ..... even if they were 'cheap, crap flowers'.

    flowers were a very

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  52. Poor Mrs. Trellis -- and thank goodness you were there to listen and take her those flowers. Losing a pet, even a Satanic pet, is one of the worst things ever.

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  53. When Im an old lady, I hope there is a John and Chris in my life to listen when my best furry friend passes on...even if he's satan.

    xoxo

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  54. I don't ever intend to be without a dog, no matter my age.

    You're sweet to empathize with her sorrow. Sometimes, people just want to have someone listen.

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  55. That's so sad that she had no one to tell. So glad she could talk to you. x

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  56. Anonymous10:00 pm

    Poor Mrs Trellis, and how kind you are

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  57. Dear Mrs Trellis, please know that all of us dog-owners out here are sending you love and hugs, because we know exactly how awful it is to lose our beloved pets. Maybe a small consolation that Sooty died in his sleep, painlessly, in the comfort of his own bed and with you there. I hope you have room in your heart for another furry creature. xxxx

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  58. Oh poor Mrs Trellis, how sad! What a kind and thoughtful person you are John, the world needs more people like you!

    Jo in Auckland, NZ

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  59. What a sad story. I'm glad she thought to call you. You're a good guy. Sending comforting thought to Mrs. Trellis.

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  60. Having just lost a 5 and a half year old Boxer to a stroke, I can understand her pain.

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  61. Poor, poor Mrs Trellis, but how lucky she is to have people like you in her life who care.

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  62. Even the Satans of this world will be missed by someone. Thanks for listening to Mrs. Trellis and the flowers.

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  63. What a truly lovely person you are

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  64. Poor Mrs Trellis. I hope she adopts another soon. You are kind soul, John the dogs....

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  65. Thank you for listening to her and bringing her flowers. THat was very kind

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  66. So sad that she is alone. Nice for old Satan though. We could all wish to go so gently.

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  67. You have such a big heart old boy, you make us proud.

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  68. Poor Mrs T. I've been alone when someone, either human or animal has passed. It can be hard. To have someone to talk to and not only that but that same kind listener pops around for a quick visit and flowers? How very sweet.

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