Patch

It's taken me a while to be able to share with you guys my memories of Patch, it's been 17 years and I don't miss him any less.
He wasn't technically my dog, he belonged to my step dads parents and I met him first when my mum married my step dad and I was 7. Patch was half jack russell and half border collie, about the size of a small staffy, with longish fur in white and black and the typical collie tail but a head like a large jack.
It took a while for us to bond tbh, I was a bit rambunctious and desperately wanted to play with him - but he was unsure and would often growl or snap at me. I was told by my stepgranddad to 'keep trying' so I did, and one day something clicked and we began to become friends. Where I lived it was commonplace for dogs to be out and about unleaded, or being walked by kids and obviously I didn't think owt of this, I loved running around the park and the streets with Patch right next to me. We had SO many adventures!!!! As the years went on I would spend all summer with him, and every day after school I would run around to where they lived (luckily two streets away) to see him and play. We had so many games, we were bonded completely and I loved him so much it never occured to me things would ever be any different.
One day we were out, and we went over the back of a nursing home where there was just a bit of wasteland, rubble, few tyres etc just random stuff to explore and I must have been around eleven or twelve. Three older boys turned up, who I didn't know. They began taunting me, and then began making awful rude comments and acting as if they might assault me. I was terrified, but Patch was so brave, growling at them with his hackles up. I had him on lead that day, and I was shaking as I told them that I would "let him off"..as I moved my hand towards the lead attachment they realised and legged it, scrambling over the fence into the nursing home grounds. Patch was my protector, my best friend and a source of great comfort (my childhood was very unhappy a lot of the time, he was my rock). I grew older but we were tight until I went to uni, by now he was around 13 years old and full of arthritis. I had been at uni a few months when my mum rang to say he had passed on. Something just broke inside me.
This is probably the only place where I can put all this down, sit here crying this much and not feel weird. I know you have all loved a dog this much. Part of waiting so long for Dexter was a reluctance to go through it again, but if we do not have the pain we cannot have the joy. I am ready now for many years of joy with a canine friend and soulmate, bless you Patch, you taught me so much about dogs, and even more about myself. Will always love you mate, and I forgive you for the time you were giving it large with that german shepherd then hid behind me!!!

R.I.P pal...thanks for everything XXXXXXXX

RIP Patch, sounded like a wonderful dog and friend

I know what you mean, I wouldn't really talk to anyone else about how much I still miss Zac because it's only real dog lovers and dog owners that will understand how much they're a part of the family, and just because it's been a long time, doesn't mean you forget about them.

That bought a tear to my eye, I am yet to feel the pain and never want too.

Run free Patch until you meet again ><

Thanks guys. Oh came back from the school run and walking Dex to find me sobbing! Writing that down has brought so much back..thinking about how I love to stroke and snuggle the crease down Dex's head, Patch had that big crease (maybe some staff was lurking in his genes somewhere, wouldn't surprise me he was a right mixed up looking doggy) and I would sit stroking it for comfort. I am glad I told you about him, it's freshened the memories and almost brought him to life again in my mind.

Ahhh Rach that bought a teat to my eye too. Made me remember my childhood dog, she was called Judy and a GSD/Labrador cross, she was the most gentle dog. Sadly she passed on when I was 24. I wasn't able to have another dog until we got Rocky a couple of years ago thats a gap of about 14 years. I sometimes wish I hadn't left it so long but then I would not have met our lovely Rocky. It all happens for a reason I guess.

Aaaah, that's brought tears to my eyes as well.

So good that Patch had someone to bond with in that way & I'm sure you'll see each other again, one day, at rainbow bridge.

RIP Patch - know you were loved.

rach,that was so sad ,it always helps talking or writing it down
rip patch you beautiful boy x

You are all so lovely, I'm sorry it made you cry though what are we like?
Thanks for letting me share it, haven't stopped thinking about him all day but in a happy way, letting the memories come instead of bottling them up

This place is great for venting the odd emotion or two.

Rip patch the bond you get is something so strong and loyal ,you both understand each other no matter how bad your dogs day has been they will always be happy to see you , I shed some tears for family members but nothing compared to the tears I shed when I lost sasha my 15 year old staffy , I like you had the life changing k9 effect when my sister in law could no longer look after sasha so when she was 5 me and my missis took her into our life's and it was the best thing that had happened to us , I did not think I would ever be able to have another dog as it is such a soar subject but after a while I now have two staffy ice and blue , they will never replace sasha but fill a empty space that needed filling , once again rip hope patch and sasha a running free , fully understand what you are going through buddy chin up ,

We dread the time when miley will leave us. I don't think we will ever get over her she is so special to us. She is young so won't have to face that for many years. Your story is so sad but glad you shared happy times.

RIP patch, never to be forgotten!

rip patch