Faithful pet overcome by grief

NEWS.com.au ^ | 3.14.05

[ambrose]

Faithful pet overcome by grief

By Kristen Smith

March 14, 2005 From:

JESS is as faithful as a dog can be, having spent five days lying on his dead owner's body. The backdoor to the house of his master Neville Greenwood was open when the 74-year-old man died, but Jess wasn't going anywhere without him.

When paramedics arrived at the house in Brisbane's north and tried to coax Jess away from his deceased companion, the dog growled at them.

Nev and Jess, a cattle-dog cross, were inseparable according to neighbours.

"You would never see Nev without him," said Mr Greenwood's neighbour, Tara.

"Nev wasn't worried about dying, he thought every day was a bonus.

"He always said if Jess died he'd want to be dead too."

And it seems the reverse is true. Jess is a one-man dog, something confirmed by relatives of Mr Greenwood who described him as "really aggressive".

His new carers, staff at the RSPCA, are at a loss as to what to do with Jess.

RSPCA spokesman Michael Beatty said Jess was pining for his master.

"He's very very sad. He cowers in the corner and growls. He's definitely not a very happy pooch," Mr Beatty said. "He's going to be reassessed on Monday but he's probably not able to be helped.

"At this stage he's not definitely going to be put to sleep but it does seem like that might be the kindest thing to do."

Jess growled at handlers yesterday when they tried to enter his cage.

"He cries a lot at night," one staffer said.

Tara has approached the RSPCA about the possibility of taking Jess' body if he is euthanased.

"I want to have him cremated, so they can be together again. Given what Nev said about Jess dying I think Jess feels the same way too," she said.

"I went and saw (Jess) last week and he's not the same dog. He used to be pretty feisty, he won't know what to do without Nev. It's really sad."

The RSPCA said Jess' age, estimated to be 12 years, posed a particular problem in terms of the potential for rehabilitation.

The RSPCA said it was unclear whether Jess' aggression resulted from the trauma of having spent five days alone with his deceased master.

[ambrose]

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,12539856-1702,00.html

Grieving dog to be put to rest March 14, 2005 From: AAP

A FAITHFUL dog that spent at least five days guarding his dead owner's body would be put to sleep because he was too miserable without his master, the Queensland RSPCA said today. Jess, a cattle dog cross aged about 12 years old, will be cremated and buried with his master, Neville Greenwood, whose body he guarded for nearly a week after the 74-year-old Brisbane man died in his northside home.

The RSPCA took Jess in, but found him to be an aggressive "one-person dog" who was miserable without his owner and proving a handful for his new carers.

"We were contacted by Neville's son Bob and he thought it was best Jess was euthanased," RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty said today. Advertisement:

"It'll be very difficult to find another home for Jess because he's aggressive. He was basically totally a one-person dog, plus he's old, a bit sick anyway and he's just miserable the way he is at the moment.

"No one could really get near him."

Mr Beatty said Jess would be cremated and his ashes buried with Mr Greenwood.

"It is sad. He just stayed by his master's body, we still don't know exactly how long, but at least five days," Mr Beatty said.

"Euthanasing him is the best thing to do."

[ambrose]

ping.

[piasa]

A FAITHFUL dog that spent at least five days guarding his dead owner's body would be put to sleep because he was too miserable without his master, the Queensland RSPCA said today...The RSPCA took Jess in, but found him to be an aggressive "one-person dog" who was miserable without his owner and proving a handful for his new carers.

Translation: "We don't have the patience or desire to help this dog so we are going to snuff him and then spin the story to make ourselves feel better about being a bunch of lazy pansies who took the easy way out."

[codyjacksmom]

It's amazing how animals can connect to one person. I've been on a couple of very recent trips and my boy, Cody Jack was miserable the whole time. He wouldn't eat right and he laid in my spot on the bed, and he would whine a lot. As soon as I got home, he would attach himself to me and will not leave my side. He is definitely a mommas boy.

[Zacs Mom]

This faithful dog made me think of the story of Greyfriars Bobby ~

In 1858, a man named John Gray was buried in old Greyfriars Churchyard. His grave levelled by the hand of time, and unmarked by any stone, became scarcely discernible; but, although no human interest seemed to attach to it.

The sacred spot was not wholly disregarded and forgotten. For fourteen years the dead man's faithful dog kept constant watch and guard over the grave until his own death in 1872. James Brown, the old curator of the burial ground, remembers Gray's funeral, and the dog, a Skye terrier called "Bobby", was, he says, one of the most conspicuous of the mourners. The grave was closed in as usual, and next morning "Bobby", was found, lying on the newly-made mound.

This was an innovation which old James could not permit, for there was an order at the gate stating in the most intelligible characters that dogs were not admitted. "Bobby" was accordingly driven out; but next morning he was there again, and for the second time was discharged. The third morning was cold and wet, and when the old man saw the faithful animal, in spite of all chastisement, still lying shivering on the grave, he took pity on him, and gave him some food. This recognition of his devotion gave "Bobby" the right to make the churchyard his home; and from that time until his own death he never spent a night away from his master's tomb.

Often in bad weather attempts were made to keep him within doors, but by dismal howls he succeeded in making it known that this interference was not agreeable to him, and he was always allowed to have his way. At almost any time during the day he could be seen in or about the churchyard, and no matter how rough the night, nothing could induce him to forsake that hallowed spot, whose identity he so faithfully preserved.

That, however, concludes the story of the life of Greyfriars' Bobby, a life which was later commemorated by the erection of the statue and fountain by Baroness Burdett Coutts. The figure which was unveiled, without any ceremony, on November 15, 1873.

[HairOfTheDog]

This is a sad story for first thing in the morning!

Ping!

Other articles with keyword "DOGGIEPING" since 12/29/04

[sinkspur]

We should all strive to be the person our dogs think we are.

[Flyer]

I always hope I don't leave any dogs behind when I go.

I can't bear the thought of my dog waiting for me to come home for the rest of his life.

[HairOfTheDog]

Much as I think mine adore me, I believe they would adore ~anyone~ who fed them and let them on the couch. I worry for what my family would choose for my pets, if they would take them in or give them away. My dad would probably take my dogs out of responsibility, but they'd be a pain for his lifestyle.

Before I was married, I had very specific instructions on what should become of my horses. I suppose those still stand if both of us go at once. I have an old horse who should not be sold.

[Lovergirl]

doggie pingy

[WestCoastGal]

According to ChefKeith my dog Jack howls and carries on when I leave the house even though he's not alone.

He is a rescue dog and probably had a horrible life until I found him. Therefore, he may be more insecure thinking he's being abandoned again. He has a lot of quirks including being afraid of boxes (maybe thinking we're moving again or something)

[HairOfTheDog]

My little cocker mix showed up as a half-grown pup, starved and skittish... throughout her 16 year life, she'd start to throw up and act stressed when I was packing. I had her in college, moving back and forth between school and home a couple times a year, so it happened a lot.

[dervish]

so true

[speed_addiction]

One of the things that I worried most about in prison was my dog. He was already a pretty old dog when I was incarcerated and sadly did not survive until my release. He lived with my parents until he died. I ride motorcycles and often rode mine to commute. My dad tells me that until he passed away my dog would always run to the front gate when he heard a motorcycle approach and would mournfully look after it as it passed.

While he loved to play fetch and chase frisbees when I played with him, he never again did that once I left. My dad says that he was a faithful companion to him and vigilant watchdog, but he was forever morose and sad.

I am sorry that irresponsibility of my actions put him through that.

[HairOfTheDog]

Fascinating.... our new dog, a stray we took in at Christmas, is a very mournful dog. I don't know what he's seen or where he came from, but he's lost something. He can be gregarious, but he is often very depressed. I hope he finds peace here.

[altura]

that's a little harsh.

[Dooderbutt]

I've been there and seen that statue.

[xsmommy]

faithful pup ping

[Argh]

Aw, the poor poochie.

[xsmommy]

i know, it's very very sad.