Tree for Willow & Texas.

This is the tree that our friends, J & N ( who we met up with in Australia a few days ago) planted when their old Golden Retriever, named Willow died about 6 or so years ago. As they were renting, they asked us if they could bury him on our property. We said that they could, as our old dog Texas and Willow were great mates, and Texas was on her last legs too. Sixteen years old is pushing the limit for a English Bull Terrier, even if she had lived a charmed life. A couple of months after Willow was buried, we had the sad job of putting Texas next to Willow.
In the final years of Texas life, she was allowed to sleep inside on the old settee, and sometimes Willow would be left with the neighbours when J & N went to town for the night. When we got up in the morning, we would find Willow asleep on the floor, and the sliding door open. Texas knew how to open the sliding door to our house, (but would never shut it!!)
We had often seen Texas get up off the settee and open the door for Willow, but wouldn't do it for my sons old dog or our old Fox Terrier.
This photo was taken as we went down the drive to take the dogs for a walk just after 4.00pm. We can't really call them pups anymore. They arrived back here this morning with the family who had been looking after them. They had driven to Havelock, and brought them down in their boat from there. We all watched the America's Cup on TV (great to see the Naid boats from Picton being used) Then they went out fishing for the day, before going home.
When we went for our walk, Whisky (the cat) followed us,we walked for 40 minutes before turning around to come home. On the way, Gypsy got a possum & killed it (sorry Australians .... but we are allowed to do that here)