A sad weekend

Hi,
We had some bad news on Saturday, I was doing a table at a craft fair in aid of Diabetics in Children, (we both have diabetics so we are pleased to help). Actually I did quite well and the kids were running around having fun. They had a table with loads of cuddly toys on, £1 per go and you pick a name from the box and get a toy. What did I get a camel, very similar to the drunken camel we brought Gertie back from Grand Canary in December, why drunken for those who missed the post in December, so much he look drunk.
Towards the end of the morning Miranda popped in with her youngest, he looked so sad and she told us that Gertie had died the previous day in her sleep. Gertie was mothers dog and Miranda was her foster mum, shes been looking after Gertie since New Year, She could not have wished for a better home, they gave Gertie a lot of love and attention, and really looked after so well. Roger had put Gertie's basket out in the garden for her, she had gone to sleep in it, a little while later he found her, she had died in her sleep, at least she did not suffer, as far as we know she was not in pain. I wonder if the camel was from her?
Gussie who died last June ( I still have her ashes) I will put them together as near to their mother (Haie pronounced hay) as we can, the bush she is under has grown so much we might have some problems but we will try to get them as close as we can. They were from the same litter and always together, Gussie used to climb into Gertie's basket backwards and sit on her, lay on her, or push her so she could get in. Just occasionally Gertie would get annoyed with her and bash her with her paw. Gertie was like a mother hen she looked after Gussie and Mother, even trying to help mother up when she fell, I know she missed Gussie when she died, and I am sure over the last few months Miranda and her kids have given Gertie the best possible life she could have had.

Gussie, as she always was with her ears cocked.

Haie, their mother and my dog before she died ten years ago.

Its strange because I had Haie and then when she died and mothers previous dog died, the kennels offered mother the two sisters and then we found out they were from Haie's last litter, they were five when Mother had them, so give or take a few months Gertie was around 15 years old.
Unfortunately Mother still asks about Gussie and misses them so I am going to try and get her a toy dog she can at least cuddle.

Rest in peace my girls.

Margaret