My wonderful Cavvies (Cavalier King Charles Spaniel)

Member Name: Val

Product:	Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Date:	14/03/09 (89 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Loving and tolerant nature

Disadvantages: They don't live forever

When I was about to take early retirement I decided I'd finally get a dog again - I hadn't had one since I was a child. My husband wasn't too keen on the idea but I persuaded him then waited for the glorious day, 23rd March 1996.
Stupidly, I realise now, I contacted a pet shop. She had two Cavvies of the right age at that time but was prepared to save them for me until retirement day. I visited them frequently and fell for them completely. I'd already chosen male names but these were sisters, so Cicero and Cassius became Cissie and Cassie.
Although I'd heard of puppy farms I didn't know what they were. I believe now that C&C came from a puppy farm, in North Wales; but they were very lucky and didn't seem to come with any of the usual baggage of poor health.
They lived happily and healthily, with just the odd problem. Training was "a walk in the park", to quote a phrase. No tricks though, just the obedience required for safety and convenience. But they learned to understand so many words that we eventually started spelling things instead, as you sometimes do with kids to avoid over-excitement!
We had a wonderful life together but eventually in Spring 2008 Cassie's life came to a peaceful end. She'd been ailing for over a year. Blood tests didn't reveal the problem and we never did find out; medicines didn't help for more than a day or so. But the poor little girl had had enough and tried hard enough - we couldn't ask any more of her.
Cissie is still going, aged 13 and 4 months. She's tired now and pretty deaf, but still highly intelligent. I stick to her more familiar words and she manages to lip-read most of the time. Don't let anyone tell you Cavvies are daft! I know I shan't have her for much longer so I cherish my time with her all the more.
Don't get a Cavalier - they leave such a massive hole in your heart when you lose them.

Summary: There is no better dog in the world