Fila

2004 - 2016

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our little sweetheart, Fila. We originally fostered Fila (previously ‘Feel’) through The Animal Guardian Society (TAGS) welcoming her into our home in 2010, a packmate for our troublesome beagle, Benny. We ended up adopting her (twice foster failures – we fostered/adopted Benny too). Fila and Benny were never apart for the next six years and her presence helped Benny in so many ways. She was a particularly sweet dog who liked nothing better than to be cradled in your arms and receive belly rubs. She would follow us around with her little ‘trot-trot-trot’ sounds on the hardwood floor and sleep beside our bed in her bed, occasionally joining us for a few moments. She enjoyed waking Cathy by giving her little kisses or wagging her tail against the headboard. Her passion was to chase little balls that we would throw in the house down the hallways. She would play till exhausted (the accompanying picture shows her resting under the rocking chair just out of arms reach) but she would never give the ball back to you, she’d make you work for it! She was our little protector, barking up a storm when anyone approached or even walked by the house. Benny would join in enthusiastically although we now know that he is hard of hearing (he hardly barks at anything now that she is gone). She also somehow knew when we had ordered in dinner, constantly staring at the front door and raising the alarm when the delivery person arrived – how she knew each and every time remains a mystery to us. She also loved the water and would jump out of my kayak and enjoyed long walks with her pack. Part Jack Russell, part Beagle, and part Dachsund she was our ‘little missus with the kisses’ and we loved her dearly. Her favourite place was on the wingchair where we put a dog bed and a soft blanket that she could nest under. She greeted us every time we came through the front door with her back end wriggling uncontrollably though towards the end she would lie in her chair with her tail wagging. Fila had been ailing for awhile and after numerous visits to the vet and a variety of meds an x-ray revealed that she had two large tumours in her lungs. A week later her vet, Tracy, came to our home and eased her pain. Our little girl is now pain free. It’s incredible that such a little dog could leave such a big hole in our home and our hearts. Rest well little one until we meet again. All our love to you now and always – Bill & Cathy & Benny xoxoxo