posted July 04, 2005 06:04 PM         

— Stephen C. Foster (1826-1864)
Old Dog Tray

NORTON (Zimbabwe) — In a land marred by unbridled violence and racial slaughters, the only semblance of humanity comes from a dog.

Yesterday, a 51-year-old farmer named Terry Ford became the 10th person to be hunted and killed in Zimbabwe's ongoing land seizures encouraged by recently re-elected President Robert Mugabe. Beside the farmer's mutilated corpse, authorities found the man's devoted dog who "would not leave the farmer's body."

Little Squeak huddles close to the body of his murdered friend. "The dog would not leave the farmer's body," said SPCA director Meryl Harrison. (Photo: Reuters)


The dog, a 14-year-old Jack Russell Terrier named "Squeak", was retrieved from Mr. Ford's farmland west of Harare along with the man's two Border Collies and taken to the Zimbabwe SPCA led by Meryl Harrison.
Ms. Harrison described the devoted dog: "Squeak never left Terry's side. He went everywhere with his owner. He was with Terry Ford when the farmer tried to leave his farm in a vehicle."

The Sun newspaper reports: "[Mr. Ford] tried to escape attackers by driving through a fence after a car blocked his main gate. But he was dragged from the car, tied to a tree and blasted through the head."

The killers are widely believed to be part of President Mugabe's so-called "war veterans" of the 1970s Liberation War acting on the president's vow to speed up the land seizures of white-owned farms. Mugabe asserted this vow immediately following his re-election last week.

News Sources

Battle to save thousands of animals
(Mar. 19, 2002 News24)

Dog stays by shot farmer
(Mar. 19, 2002 The Sun)

Auklander's tragic link to Zimbabwe farm death
(Mar. 23, 2002 New Zealand Herald)

Ms. Kuch said that the faithful terrier is "a symbol of the devotion and loyalty of dogs, even in death. It was a remarkable demonstration of the bond and companionship between man and animals."

According to reports, it took the slain man's mourning relatives an hour yesterday to coax the little dog into their car so they could take him away. Squeak is currently being cared for by one of the farmer's close friends, says the SPCA.

"He was crying when the body was found and he is still crying now. In fact, he hasn't stopped," said one friend of the family.

It can never be put into words—even if it were known—what horror must have gone through Terry Ford's mind in those last violent moments on Earth. We can only hope that, rather than leaving this world with such bitter laments, the dead man may have instead awakened to a sort of ironic tranquility, as if a tiny, familiar face were saying to him: I will be right here.

He asks no Angel’s wing, no Seraph’s fire;
But thinks, admitted to that equal sky,
His faithful dog shall bear him company.

— Alexander Pope (1688–1744)
An Essay on Man

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http://www.dogsinthenews.com/issues/0203/articles/020319a.htm

posted July 04, 2005 09:14 PM         

quote:

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He was crying when the body was found and he is still crying now. In fact, he hasn't stopped

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That is soooo sad

Poor Squeak

posted July 05, 2005 05:45 PM         

Perhaps if we all focus our hearts on that dog, we can project some healing to the wee little soul! Bless him/her!

I also wanted to add that this case is not by any means unique. There is a true story which was made into a film. You must exuse my memory, but I think it was called "Greyfriar's Bobby". It was about a Highland Terrier in Scotland (Edinburgh?) who never left his beloved man's grave at night, even though he was offered shelter elsewhere and fed. There was this big court case about it, and some children gathered all their money together to buy him a liscence- and then the most unusual, wonderful thing happened- this lovely dog was given the right to roam the city! Love had one over all the odds.

Animal are sacred little angels, there's no doubt about that! I wouldn't want to live in a world without them, and I know you sweet knowflakes in Heathcliffes corner will be agreeing with me right now!

posted July 05, 2005 06:36 PM         

"Dear loss! since thy untimely fate
My task hath been to meditate..."
Exequy [on the death of his wife],
Henry King, Bishop of Chichester

SUTHERLAND, SCOTLAND — In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes... and a dog's devotion. Yesterday the Scotsman reported the touching tragedy of a man and his faithful best friend.

Graham Snell, 65-year-old retired sub-editor for the Luton News, decided to go for a hike through the hills of Altnaharra (a campsite near Tongue) with "Heidi", his Jack Russell Terrier. When after 24 hours they still hadn't returned, the alarm was raised, and search-and-rescue teams began their work.

Mr. Snell's car was found parked at the foot of 3,152ft Ben Klibreck on Friday; on the front seat there was an open book which apparently indicated the path of their intended ascent. A Royal Air Force Helicopter was sent to investigate the region and soon located Mr. Snell at about 1,200ft up, dead, having fallen from a height of at least 500ft two days prior. Heidi the terrier was still standing guard over the body.

A spokesperson for the Northern Constabulary stated, "It is a steep cliff, almost vertical at one point, and he would have fallen about 500 feet. His dog was discovered next to him and was ok.

"The slope is more gradual a short distance along, and she was able to get down to the body."

Although dogs are certainly not the only animals to ever be scientifically observed in mourning (as the noteworthy Hippopotami of east Africa are known to perform a ritual akin to a wake or a graveside vigil for the dearly departed), the canine species has been credited with definitely the most moving shows of devotion.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND — Not far from where yesterday's incident occurred, there stands a monument commemorating the country's most famous dog, a Skye Terrier who stood by his master's grave for 14 years.

"Greyfriars Bobby" was the faithful companion of a policeman named John Gray back around 1856. The two were inseparable for two years and even thereafter, for when in 1858 the man died of Tuberculosis and was buried in Greyfriars Churchyard, his dog Bobby took up a new post on top of the gravesite and reportedly spent every single night there until his own death in 1872, 14 years later.

James Brown, the old curator of the burial ground, told of how Bobby was found lying on the fresh mound the morning after the burial. Since the sign on the gate plainly read "No Dogs", Mr. Brown was obliged to chase the little dog out, but the next morning the dog was back again. A second time Bobby was driven away, only to be found a third time at his usual spot, shivering on the cold, wet ground at Gray's grave.

At that point the curator took pity on the determined pooch and allowed him to stay thereafter. Even in the most squally weather, Bobby would not desert his post, often howling at those who would try to coax him indoors.

Reports of Bobby's unshakable devotion spread quickly through the town, and the wee terrier became a favorite of families and shopkeepers situated near the churchyard. But although they frequently brought him food and water, no one would officially claim the pooch and pay for a city dog license in the years that followed. This made Bobby an ordinary stray dog, for which he was to be euthanized.

But when this item came up in the town council of 1867, the then-presiding Lord Provost of the city (and dog-lover), Sir William Chambers, asked to meet Bobby. History notes that Sir William was quite taken with the loyal terrier and arranged to have all licensing fees paid indefinitely.

Bobby was given a collar with a brass plate engraving stating: Greyfriars Bobby from the Lord Provost, 1867, licensed. This collar is on display at the Huntly House museum located in the Royal Mile.

A year after Bobby's last watch, where he reportedly died atop his old friend's grave, the Baroness Burdett Coutts had a statue and fountain erected to commemorate the life of the devoted dog and the story of a friendship that surpassed death.

Another loyal pup:

http://www.dogsinthenews.com/issues/0107/articles/010704b.htm

posted July 06, 2005 05:01 PM         

Dog's are a man's (or woman's!) best friend!

Animals are very intuitive.

I believe that One day, the time will come where people will be civilised and treat animals with respect; with rights.

We are, after all, animals ourS-elves. They can teach us what we now lack, having become so complex and 'rational' minded. We have blinded ourS-elves.

We must pray for the freedom for all creatures, great and small.