We say goodbye to our faithful little buddy yesterday. We adopted Rocket-dog from the Sligo dog pound in the summer of 2010, it was thought he was about 2-3 years old. He was a little Jack Russell with a huge personality and he certainly ruled the house.
After being cat people for so long, it was strange having a dog around the house, but Rocket just kind of fitted in. His full name was Rocket-dog Arthur Biscuit, because of his fondness for half a biscuit, he was also known as Mr. Doodie.
We don’t think he had the best start in life, he was petrified of cutlery and would jump if you put a plate down in front of him. He never got out of that.
He was a funny character, if there were a tin of sweets around he would show his teeth at anyone that came near them, unless it was me. He also growled if someone was looking at someone else’s laptop. In later years, when it was dinner time he would bark constantly with excitement. He loved his food.
I remember bringing him along to Tubbercurry Old Fair Day once, and I turned my back for a minute and felt my leg getting wet and warm – he decided to pee on me! That wasn’t the first time either, he did it a couple of other times when I stopped to talk to someone on a walk and there wasn’t a tree nearby.
In the last couple of weeks Rocket hadn’t been well. He ended up in the vets last weekend and they did a blood test that showed he had kidney disease. He was on a drip for a few days, but perked up when I went to visit him so I took him home. He wasn’t eating though and in the end he just looked so miserable and was dragging his back legs, I took him back to the vets and Susie in The Well Pets was just so kind and caring, and he passed away peacefully with me stroking him.
I hope Rocket-dog is now reunited with Puggly, and that they are doing zoomies in the big garden in the sky. Sleep well little guy and thank you for your unconditional love, we’ll miss you.
Magnumlady Blog 
“I’m so sorry for your heartbreaking loss of your beautiful little fella, Rocket-dog. I remember ‘meeting’ him – and you – way back in 2011, when you visited the Saturday market at Boyle on the grounds of King House that summer. He was such a sweet pup. I know how hard losing our beloved fur babies is…I’ve lost three of my cats in less than two years, from old age or advanced kidney disease and feline leukemia, and the loss of these three beautiful boys has been very emotionally difficult. The deeper our love for them, the deeper we feel the loss and the grief. I’m so sorry, Val. Rest gently, sweet Rocket-dog Arthur Biscuit, and his little pal Puggly, also. Forever loved, and lovingly remembered always.”
Very sad to see a faithful friend go. We had a few Jack Russells ourselves over the years, “Pepper” and “Cuddles” when we were at school. Both true family members – Pepper would bark at night when thunderstorms were nearby (a very regular occurrence in Roscommon in 1991-92!) and we were in our element on the days both dogs passed.