Nolan was born in 1997, part of a litter of puppies bred by the Guide Dogs for the Blind, to be trained as guide dogs once they were older. At some stage of his training, it became obvious that Nolan wasn’t going to make a guide dog…one reason, I think was because he was so big and strong, and would have been hard for a blind person to handle, unless they had previously done weight lifting….and the other was he really wanted to be a dog. Guide dogs have to be completely dedicated to their human, and watch out for them completely. Nolan didn’t quite have this knack…even though he was dedicated to his “oldies”, very rarely would he put them above food…:)
So Nolan was a “failed” guide dog, and they then trained him as a companion dog. Now this suited him down to the ground. He had found his niche. He was a people dog par excellence, but it still allowed him to be a dog. I would imagine he passed this course at the top of his class. So he came to ADA Cottage, Rylstone, a hostel for the aged and disabled. He was around 18 months old when he arrived, and immediately set about winning the hearts of everyone associated with the Cottage. It wasn’t long before even the people who didn’t like dogs were on his side. He would go into work every day, 5 days a week, starting round 9 am, and go home about 5 pm. At weekends, and in the evening, he stayed with the police sergeant and his wife, who lived just across the road. He stayed with them for quite some time, and then things changed in their lives and they could no longer take him. So he came to me.
He fitted into my family really well…he was just another member of the zoo really. I already had Gypsy, and Albert, the geriatric golden retriever, as well as Max and various joeys. The human family soon fitted into the new routine of taking him to work each morning, and picking him up each evening. Most of the time he was walked to and from work, thus keeping us fit. All his food was paid for by the Cottage, as well as all veterinary expenses. He just loved his work, and loved all the residents, and staff. He felt immensely responsible for the residents…if they fell ill, he would take himself into their room, and lay next to their beds and “guard” them. One lady he guarded so well, he wouldn’t let the ambulance man in! He was put into the laundry temporarily so the poor ambulanceman could do his job. Once let out, he went to her room and howled! I took him to see her in hospital a couple of days later. The poor lady was completely off with the pixies and thought she was in hospital to have a baby. She didn’t know me, and she didn’t know her daughter, but she knew Nolan. Nolan of course knew her….
Another time one of the residents died in his sleep, and when Nolan arrived at work, he took himself into the room to guard the poor fellow until the doctor and undertaker arrived. So seriously did he take this guard duty that he didn’t even turn up for food as he usually would.
Food turned out to be an ongoing problem with Nolan. The staff and myself always kept him on a healthy diet, but the residents didn’t understand that he shouldn’t eat non stop. They all took the view that their little bit wouldn’t hurt. Of course Nolan agreed with this, and was always ready and willing to eat whatever they offered….whether it was a healthy snack, or something horribly fattening. Because of this, Nolan started to have tummy troubles, and was eventually diagnosed with pancreatitis. The residents were terribly concerned about him, but most of them weren’t good with cause and effect, and had no idea that they were killing him with kindness. We used all sorts of methods to try to get them to co-operate, even to the staff checking their rooms to make sure that there was no “naughty” food that they could feed him. We also got a letter from Dr Harry, a tv vet out here, and that worked for a while.
Eventually, after years of battling, Nolan went onto part time “employment”. He was by this stage getting a bit older, and he no longer had the energy that he once had. He was still included in their functions, such as Christmas Parties, and fund raising dinners, where he would make guest appearances, and I would then take him home before he helped himself to their dinners… I can remember one dinner where everyone had come in fancy dress, and Nolan came in a tutu and pearls. He was an instant hit, and loved every second of it. He was also invited to be a guest at other functions, for example the Church Fashion Parade, where he did some modelling, much to the delight of all there.
In due course, and with advancing age, the decision was taken to retire him. He still went in to visit his “oldies” and staff on an irregular basis. His last visit to them was only a few months ago, just before he became ill and was diagnosed with Addison’s Disease. Even though this knocked him for six, with the correct medication he fought back, and had a few more months of quality time. He was, however, a bit too old and easily stressed to take back to visit his oldies, but he was always delighted when someone came to visit him.
His wonderful positive attitude continued up until the last few days of his life. Even though life was becoming more difficult for him, he was still smiling and happy. Just in the last few days it all got a bit much, and I realised it was time for him to go to his rest. After consultation with the vet (just in case) we made the necessary arrangements, and I took him along to the vet. I was accompanied by two of his “other mothers” and the thoughts and prayers of many friends. He went to “sleep” surrounded by love. It was an emotional time for us all, but we were all relieved to see him now at peace.
In his time as a companion dog he touched so many hearts, and eased the troubles of many of our elderly people. Anyone who had anything to do with the Cottage, tradespeople, visiting medical people, delivery people, family members, visiting clergy, all remarked on what a difference he was making to the residents, and what a joy it was to have him around. He will be missed.
Mamaroo's Diary 