It’s been exactly one year today since Oreo left us. This post is in memory of him ❤️ Oreo came into our lives in 2007. He was about two years old. His “parents” who were #4’s (@amco) friends were moving from a landed property to an apartment where pet dogs were not allowed. Knowing I’m an animal lover #4 approached me and asked if I wanted a black English Cocker Spaniel. And being an animal lover I wanted to be sure I could commit myself 100% to this responsibility so I asked for a few days to do some research on the care of an English Cocker Spaniel. When I was sure I could do it #4 took me to meet him. He was so handsome and friendly! He was on a leash, tied to a chair, and when I approached him he started doing the rhumba and pounced on me! It was love at first sight! 😍 Back then he was called Member. Huh? 😳 I know, right? So the first plan we had for him when I brought him home was to change his name! We went through so so many names but couldn’t agree on any. Then my niece said, “Oreo” and that was it! We let him run loose in the garden and he was very happy. But we were pretty worried because we didn’t hear him bark the first day. I’ve read that some owners remove their dog’s vocal cords because they were too noisy 😭 But he did eventually bark and it was a low and handsome voice 😊 And he didn’t bark a lot, only when the garbage collectors came by. He had the best temperament anyone could ask of a pet. He never dug up the garden. He never chewed on slippers or shoes. He never growled at family and friends. He never showed any signs of aggression. And when I say never I mean never! The one thing I found odd about him was that he never licked anyone. He loved children. He could never contain his joy whenever my little nieces came over to visit. He would run to them, pouncing and shaking all over! Hayley loved him the most. She would spend so much time brushing him, training him and playing with him.

Playing with Cate.

Erin was a little afraid of him. But that little darling wanted to overcome her fear and asked me to tie him to the grille so that he couldn’t move too much when she approached him. And it worked!

The girls used to take him to a park nearby, under Russell’s (@reconstitution) supervision.

Russell used to take him for runs while he cycled.

Bran would spend time with him in the evenings, and he and Bee Yen used to take him for walks before they had their dinner.

With Jack, waiting for the vet, after school 😅

Sadly, as he grew older many medical problems associated with Cocker Spaniels slowly crept in. He developed hip dysplasia and I could see how painful it was for him to move around. Then he became blind, and then deaf. I had to lock him up at the backyard to keep him safe, yet when he walked into the shallow drainage he didn’t have the strength to climb out 😢 His skin became so dry and scabby during @branlee87’s and @siren87’s wedding in 2016. He looked so sad and tired.

Finally last year we decided he was better off put to rest forever. It was a very hard decision. I struggled with the idea for a year. Remembering how he suffered every day, I am glad we did what we did.

^{4 October 2017. Saying farewell.} He is buried in the garden where I can see him from my balcony.

I still love and miss you, my Oreo ❤️

[![20180516_002249_0001.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmT8D5Cwpr2iLDPrqDp5pAGGCfd4wBjuSCJRSz7NNyd2SE/20180516_002249_0001.png)](https://discord.gg/qfu4yRE)

Posted from my blog with SteemPress : http://crazymum.vornix.blog/2018/10/04/in-loving-memory-of-oreo-gratitude-73/