Gemma's Very Own Page

Chapter One - In The Beginning

I come from a long line of show and obedience westies and Ms Ann (the lady who bred me) was running me on for a man in Sydney. Until one day when this lady (my mum) rang from Queensland and said she was really interested and would I be able to go live with her. I listened to Ms Ann asking her lots of questions but I couldnt hear what the lady was saying back (not that I would eavesdrop mind you). Finally after Ms Ann checking with the man in Sydney she said yes, she would love me to live in Brisbane.

So at 5 1/2 months of age I took my very first plane ride (all by myself). It was a bit scarey coz the plane made such a loud noise and I was leaving all my family, brother, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, oh and Ms Ann, behind. When the noise finally stopped some people came and took my crate outside. They tried to get me to come out of the crate. I tell you I wasn't too crazy about that I know all about "stranger danger". Well, it turned out alright because this lady knew my name and she picked me up and cuddled me right away. So I did what every good westie would do and gave her big sloppy kisses.

Chapter Two - Life in Queensland.

Inside the house were three other westie kids, Haimish, Nessie, Huntly, mum's son (I guess that sorta made him my brother) who used to play with all of us and mum's friend Penny who I used to call Aunty. Aunty Penny was there when mum went to work to make sure we didnt get into too much mischief. That was pretty cool coz it was just like being at home. The next day we went out in the yard and that was neat too. It was much bigger than the yard I use to play in. There were lots of things to look at, chase and explore. The things with the feathers were really fun they made funny noises if you grabbed them but mum would say "NO". (She spoils all my fun). At least we were allowed to have their eggs occasionally on our dinner or mum would cook up scrambled eggs for all of us.

Pretty soon though it was time to get down to some real business and mum and Aunty took me along to the shows with Huntly. Shows are fun cos you get dressed up in your sunday best and get to show off as much as you like. I loved going to shows but I didnt really like the getting ready part though, it was boring. So I would lie down and roll over on the grooming table (Boy did mum ever get frustrated). But being at the shows was really different. I could strut around and pretend I was all grown up. Besides mum used to keep all this really neat liver stuff in her pocket and she would give me some. Yummmm!!! Especially when someone would give her a big ribbon. Then I would get extra treats, so I made sure she got lots.

One day mum took me to what they called a "hunt" and she tried to get me to go down in this tunnel. Well I can tell you there is NO WAY I was going in there. I would get all dirty so I flatly refused. Besides what on earth would anyone want to go in a dirty, dark tunnel for. I mean it did smell interesting but really. Not the sort of thing a lady would do and I was growing up you know. I had an image to keep. Well she soon gave up on that one. :) I had her fooled at home too. There were stairs that went up to another room and I loved to go up them (I was getting big now so I was allowed). I use to go up and them just sit there to come down again. It was fun going up but there was no way I was walking back down again. So someone would have to come and carry me back down all the time.

Pretty soon though a new westie brother arrived, Buzzy, had he was a real cutie. He was only 3 months old and I finally had someone younger I could boss around again. Shortly after that Mum went to visit Ms Ann in Melbourne and she brought home another westie girl, Brodie. She was only a little tacker at the time but even so she didnt take to kindly to being told that she was bottom of the heap. I told her anyway and she understood (at least for a while). Boy the family sure was growing. Then came a sad day when mum took Huntly and Nessie to live with some other people but she told us that the home they were going to was very nice and that they were very happy there. So that was ok because I still had friends to play with.

Chapter Three - Kids of my Own.

While mum was at work I started having my puppies but I wasnt scared cos Aunty Pen was there and mum got home in time to see the last one born. Well I looked at those 4 little white things and thought to myself, ok thats my part done the rest is up to you mum. So I promptly got out of the bed and made myself a nice little bed away from those crying brats. Mum let me stay there for a while then she put me back with them and everytime I got out she would put me back. Well I soon got the hint that she wasnt going to look after them so I guessed I would have to do it myself. All I could think of was, where's Paddy now there is work to be done?

Well it wasnt too bad because before long they were up and running around and it sure was fun playing with them. The only girl, Cassie, reminded me of me as she bossed around her brothers all the time. I couldnt help but smile at her spunkiness. All too soon though they were all grown up and it was time for them to move on out into the big wide world. A young couple who had been coming to see us for a while took one of the boys and called him, Rex. I still see him from time to time at the shows and he's a champion now so I guess I did something right. Cassie was staying with us to be part of the family so that was cool too.

Cassie grew into a fine young lady and is a chip off the old block. Gaining her title before 12 months of age. Not that I'm one to brag. Life continued on as normal after the kids left home. Back into the shows and pleased as punch with how well my Cassie would perform. Not that she was able to beat her mother, mind you.

About a year later Mum had just sent in the entries for the Brisbane Royal Show (the big one) when I decided that I wanted to have more kids and of course, Buzzy obliged me. Well, mum figured she would just have to shelve the show plans and get ready for more grandkids. I decided to have my one baby a week before the show. My labour pains started at 3am in the morning but this time I figured that mum hadn't had enough emergency practice so I held on till she took me to the vet. After being there for a couple of hours I heard the vet start up the clippers and caught a glimmer of the word "caesarian". I figured maybe it would be easier to just have it now. After all I don't think I would have looked to cute after those clippers got me. Well out he popped, just one tiny little boy. Unfortunately he didnt appear quite normal and mum and the vet had a long discussion. I didnt see my baby till we got home and mum put him in special bed and buried him in the garden.

Chapter Four - Life Goes On.

So went another year and mid 1996 saw Roy come to live with us. Mum said it was only for a while and that we were only "fostering" him but later she said he was staying for good. I think she "adopted" him. He was really cute. Soooooo, handsome and he was lots of fun to play with. One day mum said "moving". Now at the time I had no idea what she was talking about but then this big truck arrived and all our furniture was put in it. I can tell you this. I watched very carefully when they loaded my couch in. Someone had to make sure my daytime bed didnt get scratched. Then mum put us all (4) in the car and we drove away. When we stopped we were in front of a white house and there were houses all around. Just like when I lived with Ms Ann. (See I'm not that old that I cant remember things).

Chapter Five - Changes.

I thought that was the end of that but no, another week past and more people came. This time to look at Brodie and of course, as usual, she made a real spectacle of herself. Jumping all over them and making a big fuss. Hmmmm... kids, they really dont know how to behave. Well, off she went with those people. She has been back to visit and get a hairdo but when she does I make it perfectly clear that this is MY house. Boy, one minute there were dogs everywhere and then there was just the two of us. I remember at one time that there were nine of us (not all Westies) plus two cats, two goats, and a horse.

I suppose, I should add that Buzzy left me pregnant. I mean really, raising children alone is no fun. Who was going to keep them occupied when I need to get some beauty sleep? Oh well, Maybe I would be able to train Roy to do it. He's young enough to raise right.

Chapter Six - More Kids.

Mum temporarily named him William T Riker, William for short. Being No 1 out all Star Trek fans will get the significance of that. I kept a close eye on my smallest one and so did mum. Nothing we did seemed to make him grow. In fact, after 5 days he was only 4 1/2 ozs not loosing any but not gaining either. Then at last with some magic potion he at last started to gain. Only a little at a time but at least it was something. With extra feedings and the potion he finally started to do something. Well I tell, he was about 1/3 the size of the others but he bossed them around something terrible. I guess it just goes to show that your either born with "Westie attitude" or your not. He had no fear of his much larger siblings. He would stand over the food and believe or not they actually took notice of him.

Well kids are fine to play with but they are tiring and I was glad when the time came for them to pack their bags and leave home. For a while it looked like mum was going to keep William but the lady who was taking one of the girls asked could she have William too. Mum must have really liked her because she finally said yes. I still see all of these kids except for one who fell victim to a cane toad while still a puppy. It doesnt matter how well you look after your babies these things can still happen.

Chapter Eight - A Close Call.

One day while mum was at work and we were downstairs playing Roy found something to play with and it made him sick. We went back upstairs and Roy lay down on the floor. It looked like he was doing the twist or something. I didn't think it was normal and I couldnt reach the phone so I got scared and hid in the spare room. Finally mum got home and took one look at him and ran to the phone. Then she came back and found me in my hidy hole put me in a crate. She picked Roy up and went out in the car. When she came home again she didnt have Roy with her. She told me he was sick and had to stay at the hospital for a while.

For the next three days we sat together on the lounge and waited. We waited for the phone to ring and say he was ok. Mum went to visit every morning and evening. She said I couldnt go too because I might upset the sick kids. Finally, mum brought him home. It took a while for him to get back to normal but before long he was the same silly child he had been before. Except he followed mum everywhere... Boy she couldnt even have a bath in peace, he even jumped in with her one day. I sure he understands how close he came to never coming home. Mum always took us outside on lead after that and the downstairs area was definately out of bounds unless she was there with us.

Chapter Eight - Not So Lucky

Roy runs up and down the stairs teasing me coz he didnt have to have a bath. So I just lie down and pretend to ignore him. I know it wont be long till mum comes back to let me out so I might even catch 40 winks. When I wake up Roy is lying in front of my crate. Obviously he made himself tired running around. Then mum comes down to get me and she sees Roy sleeping too. Suddenly she runs over to him but he still doesnt move. Mum started crying so I moved to the back of my crate and watch mum as she holds Roy and cries. After a while she puts him down and goes to get his blanket. She wraps him up in the blanket and puts him gently on the ground. Mum and Jackie picked up a shovel and went out into the yard. They came back and got Roy and took him out there too. Then mum went upstairs and got all of Roy's toys and took them outside too.

A few days later mum found a cane toad downstairs and she gave it what for. I guess while I was asleep in my crate that day Roy must have gone hunting and found it. Now in the backyard there is a bare mound of dirt. I know thats where Roy is buried because he crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Every morning I check the spot to make sure everything is in its place. Its was pretty quiet in the house for a while. I am now an only child and I can tell you, it's very different. I don't play much normally but I didnt feel like it for a long time. Now that summer is over I often get to go out in the car with mum. More so than when Roy was here. I guess she feels guilty leaving me alone.

Chapter Nine - Just Me and Mum.

Well, life is sorta normal now. I guess as normal as it gets when your an only child. Mum finds it hard to get mad at me even when I'm really naughty. I get up each morning and mum takes me walkies in the back yard. Then its back inside to get some more beauty sleep. That is until its time for the postie to show up on that bike thing of his. Sometimes mum lets me into the front yard so I run up and down the fence as he goes past. Well thats the highlight of my day these days. I really must think about taking up a hobby or even go back to school.

Speaking of school... I overheard mum saying something about not having anything to show so she might do obedience with me. I think I'll reserve judgement on that till I find out what's involved. At least that will give me something to add to my memoirs sometime in the future.

Chapter Ten - A New Addition to the Family.

Chapter Eleven - Life Goes On

Then one day Mum came home and her and Jackie were in deep conversation. I wasn't really eaves dropping but I heard them mention job ........ moving ...... Perth. I wasnt real sure what it was all but not long after that Mum went away for a about 6 weeks. When she came back there was much rushing about and then these men came and they were packing all our belongings into boxes then onto a big truck. When the truck went away our house was empty and there was just Ashley, Mum, Jackie and me. Jason had gone and all his stuff too. I know because I checked his room a couple of times but it was as bare as the rest of the house. Mum took me to Aunty Scruffs place for the night and the next day they came back with my crate and one for Ashley. Aunty Scruff drove us to this big place where there were these big planes. I know they were planes because I have been a bit of a jetsetter from a very young age. It seemed we were going for a ride and I remembered back to the conversation about Perth.

Chapter Twelve - A New World, Perth, February 2001

Weather was great here not like in Qld where is was always so humid you always felt uncomfortable and it was really hard to get cool. As the time passed it became cooler and they would put a fire in a box thingy. I really dont know what it was but it sure felt good to lie down behind it. It was sooooooo warm. All in all I figured this was a great move and everything felt perfect.

Chapter Thirteen - Invaded, October, 2001

I also had to consider Mum's feelings because I know she had been wanting another Westie for quite some time and she was over the moon about eventually getting one. So after about a week I gave up and put up with his antics but I dont know how Mum put up with him he was just sooooooooo naughty and he didnt know where the toilet was. I had to watch where I walked all the time. I guess he wasnt all that bad and it was kinda nice to have some company. At least he knew right from the start who the boss was and gave me the proper respect. Although he was always trying to kiss up to me. I guess I should be flattered but I wasnt feeling the best and sometimes he was just a little too over the top and I felt like my life had been invaded.

Chapter Fourteen - Health Concerns

Mum opted for the palliative care and got all sorts of stuff for me. She put me on a diet, not that I was fat. Well I didnt think so anyway but then I realised it was a special diet to try to get rid of the tumour. She had all sorts of things from the health shop. Pills, powders, oils and this smelly stuff called Shark Cartilege. Should would put all this stuff in my food everyday. Some of it was just revolting and after a while I refused to eat it. So she would buy puppy porridge and put it in that. At least it tasted a bit better and I didnt mind it so much. This became the norm for me and I didnt have to share any of it with Greggy.

Chapter Fifteen - Farewell, The Final Chapter

When the vet arrived Mum picked me up and carried me in. We all knew that the time had come and Mum sat down holding me tightly. She was telling me how much she loved me, which I already knew or we wouldnt have been there. I know how hard this must have been for her, letting go is never easy. I told her with my eyes how much I loved her and appreciated our time together. While Mum held me the vet gave me a needle that made me feel a bit drowsy and we continued to say our goodbyes until he came back with another needle. As she held me I could hear Mum whispering loving goodbyes which became fainter and fainter as I drift off to sleep..... Goodbye Mum....... love you too!!!!