Sweep's Story

Sweep was 12 years old, in poor shape & virtually blind & deaf...

when he was brought to 'Rescue Mum' Sue, courtesy of the Essex Police because he was found wandering on a main A-road and was lucky not to have been killed.

Read his story...

This is on the day we collected him from the Lhasa Rescue lady (who got him from the police kennels)

... out of the car and straight into the bath as, like most of our dogs, Sweep was a bit worse for wear in the hygiene department!

...A close up of Sweep's dear little face showing to some extent the damage he had to his eyes

... Sweep's eyes were quite badly damaged by the hair that had grown and matted over them.

This has resulted in 'dry eye' - a condition which he is treated for using 'false tears' to lubricate his eyes.

... and then after the bath a nice gentle rub down with a warm towel

... this is the result of not being groomed for a long period and then having to be shaved down as far as possible to remove the matts etc.If a long haired dog is correctly groomed this situation would not arise.

Long haired dogs such as Shih Tzu''s must be groomed everyday to remove dead hair and dander. Their hair checked for parasites on a regular basis to avoid infestation, irriation and associated problems.

... taking it easy on a nice fleecy blanket with a new mate!

... safely in a crate while having a tripe stick to avoid being robbed by other dogs!

... After a nice bath and a good meal what better than a nice walk

Another cuddle! Sweep must have been one of the most 'instantly' cuddly dogs as all he wanted was to be snuggled up close to a nice warm human!

... A little wary of leaving the house after having so much happen to him!

...A nap in front of the windows before setting off to my other Southern Shih Tzu Rescue 'mum' Joyce

Once confident in his new foster home Sweep soon made himself at home...

... Joyce looked after Sweep and built him up with hearty meals to get a bit of weight on him before he was placed into his new home just around the corner from Joyce!

Sweep was wormed and de-flead on arrival at his new foster home.

Sweep tells us his side of the story...

""Hello! My name is Sweep. People think I am about 10 or 11 years old. As I haven't seen my birth certificate, I couldn't really say. I was found wandering the street by the police in July last year, 2001. At the time I was nearly deaf, I had painful polyps in my ears. I also had a nasty skin condition covering my back, and my left eye had been badly damaged. In addition to this my coat was so badly overgrown that it was difficult to see which end of me was which, let alone which breed of dog I was. The police took me to a vet and that bill was paid by a `whip round` at the police station. Aren't our policemen & women wonderful?

At the end of the statutory week, which they must keep me for, I was passed to the Lhasa Apso Rescue (I said they couldn't tell which breed I was!) After I had been shorn (my coat was too long and matted to do anything else with), they realised that I was a Shih Tzu and passed me to the Southern Shih Tzu Rescue.

I then spent some time with three lovely ladies, Sue (and her daughter Sarah who looked after me and cuddled and even slept downstairs with me in case I was lonely or worried in my new surroundings) and Joyce, who looked after me while my health problems were sorted out and gave me plenty of TLC to get me prepared for a new home. During this time, my left eye was removed (who needs it anyway?), my skin infection was cleared up and my polyps were treated.

Then Pat and Doug came to see me at Joyce's house.

Now I have to say at this point, that I would not win any beauty competitions, even now, and at that time my coat was just beginning to grow (rather raggedly), I had just had my eye removed and so was wearing one of those big conical collars to stop me damaging the wound. Nevertheless we seemed to hit it off straightaway and they decided that they would like me to go and live with them and their dog Sophie (a Yorkie/Shih Tzu cross).

So, at the end of September Pat, Doug , Sophie and I became a family.

In the beginning Sophie was a little wary of me, after all she had been the only dog in the house for two years, but I just turned on the old charm and now she's a pussy cat. To be honest I now live the life of Reilly. I have my own bed, the best dog food, my own garden to roam in and one or two walks each day.

At night I sleep upstairs, and to be absolutely honest with you, I could manage to get up and down the stairs perfectly well, but they seem to like to carry me up and down in case I miss my footing and fall because of my one eye, so I'm not going to tell them am I?

It's no use getting old if you don't get crafty!

It's been nice talking with you, but I think I smell liver pate which I love. I think they must have just opened the fridge door.

I'm off! Goodbye!!

I'll hand my story back to Sue while I go in search of my liver pate...!"

Sweep

... and now

Sweep is a regular at our August Dog Shows & Christmas Parties and is a great testament to his new owners who are absolutely besotted with him. He is a wonderful little dog with a character of his own and after being found at an advanced age with bad health - and looking as much - he is now acting like a pup and in great condition!

He is now living a life of luxury in Kent with a new friend, Sophie, a Yorkie X Shih Tzu cross and has two of the most wonderful owners you could wish for. When they saw Sweep they instantly knew he was the dog for them!

... updated photo of Sweep

Doesn't he look happy?!

July 2003

30 June 2004

Farewell little Sweep -

It is with great sadness that we have to report that Sweep passed away after a short illness. He was with his family on holiday when he became ill and was rushed to the local vets who treated him for four days.

Unfortunately the severity of the illness he had meant that his body could not cope. He was put to sleep and his owners then travelled for several hours to take him home to their garden that he loved to play in, where he is now at rest.

Our thoughts are with Sweep's Mum, Dad and Best Friend - Pat, Doug & Sophie, and his Rescuer Sue at this very sad time. They should all be very proud of the huge change of life & happiness they gave this little dog.

We hope they will all be comforted by their cherished memories and no doubt Sweep told them every day in his own little style, just how happy he was to have found them.

“ I Stood Beside Your Bed Last Night” I stood beside your bed last night, I came to have a peep. I could see that you where crying, you found it hard to sleep I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear, “It’s me, I haven’t left you, I’m well. I’m fine, I’m here.” I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour your tea, You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me. I was with you at the marsh today. Your legs were getting sore. I longed to make just one retrieve, I wish I could do more. I was with you at my grave today. You tend it with such care. I want to reassure you, that I’m not lying there. I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key. I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said, “It’s me.” You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair. I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there. It’s possible for me, to be so near you everyday. To say to you with certainty, “I never went away.” You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew. In the stillness of that evening, I was close to you. The day is over, I smile and watch you yawning. And say “goodnight, God bless, “I’ll see you in the morning.” And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I’ll rush across to greet you and we’ll stand, side by side. I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see. Be patient, live your journey out, then come home to be with me.

 

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