Dushka Barnes

September 1992-September 2001

It is said that one should never give a dog as a gift. But this one came in unusual circumstances and turned out to be my favourite acquisition...In September 1992, a succession of evenings brought the usual break from the daytime heat but also a strange yelping sound. My mother went downstairs to investigate - against the advice of those who suspected we'd end up with a dog on our hands. Well, we did end up with a dog on our hands - one of Hong Kong's numerous strays, many of whom live with workers at construction sites and are later abandoned. This one was still a tiny puppy and found stuck in a ditch. But now that my mother's stubborn will and weakness for animals had prevented Dushka from meeting an early conclusion, we were presented with a problem: what to do with her? She couldn't stay with my parents, as their Pekingese used to go into attack mode at the sight of another dog. And we wouldn't let her go to the RSPCA where, if she didn't find a new home quickly, she would be put down. So that left me - already owner of a big dog in a small flat. Another dog was not what I needed. But I knew I had no choice and so accepted the offer to take Dushka. For nine years after that, she became a wonderful companion, always there to do things with - or simply just there. A gentle and loving dog, she was extremely loyal and literally followed me around like a dog! We always reckoned that, while our other soppy (but lovely) golden retriever, was "not always the sharpest knife in the drawer", Dushka was quick and witty. But she looked up to him as her example, unfortunately to the point where she tried to copy him relieving himself, flinging her leg up, male-style. Dushka had an optimistic quality about her, her tail always up and ears often bent back with pleasure. She had a good life, what, with all the long walks and good food. But, in the end, she suffered from tick fever, or the side effects of its treatment. In her final days, in September 2001, she was unable to even get up and, with virtually no chance of recovery, we put her to sleep. So, now she rests in peace, our dog who along with the wet legs from all her kisses, brought us a lot of happiness and still gives us something good to remember.

The photo is of Dushka on her favourite walk around Tai Tam Reservoir in Hong Kong. This is where her ashes are now scattered.

Janine Barnes