Happy Birthday Opus! 15 years of love and affection.

opus · 10-13-2011, 03:50 PM

Opus was born 15 years ago today (!) He was the last pup of the litter to be homed, then returned to the breeder at 12 weeks by owners that claimed he was stupid ( but clearly they were the stupid ones as they had no idea how much 'work' was involved in a basset puppy).
I had been waiting on a different litter, ( she only bred twice a year and the waiting list was quite something) but when I heard about this little reject I made a decision. I would take him.
At 13 weeks Opus travelled all alone from Cork to Dublin in a crate on a train, to be greeted by complete strangers who know nothing about him other than he would be loved and cared for as long he lived. People said this couple were nuts, as they had only just bought a house and had about 20 pounds between them after the first mortgage was paid.
Yet, they knew the minute this small squishy pup fell over his own ears that this would be a life long journey.
What a life this old boy has had, he lived on SCR in Dublin and walked with me and my daughter every morning to her school in Rathmines, trundling along Portobello, warily skirting past the swans that would hiss and flap if you got too close.
We moved to Spain and took Opus and three cats ( with fresh passports!) with us. There Opus made friends with a boxer called Henry and spent many an afternoon on a white sand beach, ignoring seagulls and going hock deep in the surf, barking at Henry who would dash about like a crazy loon.
At age 6 he was bitten by an insect his Irish body had never met and spent two weeks in ICU on a drip, touch and go, but recovered. Age 8 he almost died from rapid torsion, but a brilliant vet called Nobert, swift action and emergency surgery meant he would live to fight another day ( albeit with some very impressive stitches and a belly scar that would forever catch lint and belly fluff)
We moved fom the village to Barcelona city. It was here Opus made friends with every street vender and cafe owner within a ten block radius. "OPUUUUS! Amigo! Como va?' They would say, scratching him under the chin and proffering little treats – all gratefully accepted. Up and down the elevator Opus would ride, patiently waiting to hit the streets, my little stubby city cowboy.
My favourite memory is the day I brought him through El Cort Engles, a high-end fashion and department store, to collect a watch being repaired. The women behind the perfume counters came rushing out to coo and pet this solid gentleman. Later I took him to have a tapas on the Rambla before walking home at a lesiurely pace.
Then back to Ireland 6 years ago, Andrew, Me, our daughter, three cats and one older wiser basset. Did it trouble him, the sudden temperature change? Of course not. Yay to green grass, and long walks in the park, snuffly evenings doing our gradually slowing tour of the block. Two years ago his vision began to go, then this year went completely. But so what? For what is a basset but a nose on short legs. Onwards!
And today, old champion, old friend, old partner and amigo to all, today is your birthday. And though I have no idea how many more days I will have with you, I know you have spent it sleeping with your cat, getting your chin and head rubbed, and eating chocolate cake smothered in pretty foul cheese, your favourite.
Happy Birthday Opus. I love you, and I always will.
Arlene XX

barneysmom2510 · 10-13-2011, 03:55 PM

Happy Birthday Opus.

houndmomma · 10-13-2011, 04:10 PM

Happy Happy Birthday Opus!!!!! Congratulations and God bless for so many happy and healthy years.

Jen~

dreamons · 10-13-2011, 04:31 PM

A very happy birthday to you Opus. May you have several more but what a great life you have had so far with a very loving mom.

paisleysmom · 10-13-2011, 04:37 PM

Oh Happy Birthday Dear Opus -- what a wonderful adventure filled life you have.... I think your greatest was the train trip from Cork. Have many many more happy days!!!!

jaleely · 10-13-2011, 04:37 PM

Oh Opus, you handsome lad! I wish you 15 more...wouldn't that be amazing? What a doll you are. And Opus's parents what a really sweet and wonderful post you made. aw!!!!!

henry'smum · 10-13-2011, 05:32 PM

That pretty much made me cry! Happy birthday Opus!

MollyMcFrecklesMom · 10-13-2011, 05:37 PM

Happy Birthday, Opus. I love hearing the story of the elder statesmen (or women) hounds

Here's to many more birthdays!

Mommy2MaggieMae · 10-13-2011, 05:49 PM

What a wonderful story! Happy Birthday, precious Opus!!!!

AmyB · 10-13-2011, 06:17 PM

Awww, Happy Birthday Opus! I love the seniors.

10-13-2011, 03:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
opus Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 125	Happy Birthday Opus! 15 years of love and affection. Opus was born 15 years ago today (!) He was the last pup of the litter to be homed, then returned to the breeder at 12 weeks by owners that claimed he was stupid ( but clearly they were the stupid ones as they had no idea how much 'work' was involved in a basset puppy). I had been waiting on a different litter, ( she only bred twice a year and the waiting list was quite something) but when I heard about this little reject I made a decision. I would take him. At 13 weeks Opus travelled all alone from Cork to Dublin in a crate on a train, to be greeted by complete strangers who know nothing about him other than he would be loved and cared for as long he lived. People said this couple were nuts, as they had only just bought a house and had about 20 pounds between them after the first mortgage was paid. Yet, they knew the minute this small squishy pup fell over his own ears that this would be a life long journey. What a life this old boy has had, he lived on SCR in Dublin and walked with me and my daughter every morning to her school in Rathmines, trundling along Portobello, warily skirting past the swans that would hiss and flap if you got too close. We moved to Spain and took Opus and three cats ( with fresh passports!) with us. There Opus made friends with a boxer called Henry and spent many an afternoon on a white sand beach, ignoring seagulls and going hock deep in the surf, barking at Henry who would dash about like a crazy loon. At age 6 he was bitten by an insect his Irish body had never met and spent two weeks in ICU on a drip, touch and go, but recovered. Age 8 he almost died from rapid torsion, but a brilliant vet called Nobert, swift action and emergency surgery meant he would live to fight another day ( albeit with some very impressive stitches and a belly scar that would forever catch lint and belly fluff) We moved fom the village to Barcelona city. It was here Opus made friends with every street vender and cafe owner within a ten block radius. "OPUUUUS! Amigo! Como va?' They would say, scratching him under the chin and proffering little treats – all gratefully accepted. Up and down the elevator Opus would ride, patiently waiting to hit the streets, my little stubby city cowboy. My favourite memory is the day I brought him through El Cort Engles, a high-end fashion and department store, to collect a watch being repaired. The women behind the perfume counters came rushing out to coo and pet this solid gentleman. Later I took him to have a tapas on the Rambla before walking home at a lesiurely pace. Then back to Ireland 6 years ago, Andrew, Me, our daughter, three cats and one older wiser basset. Did it trouble him, the sudden temperature change? Of course not. Yay to green grass, and long walks in the park, snuffly evenings doing our gradually slowing tour of the block. Two years ago his vision began to go, then this year went completely. But so what? For what is a basset but a nose on short legs. Onwards! And today, old champion, old friend, old partner and amigo to all, today is your birthday. And though I have no idea how many more days I will have with you, I know you have spent it sleeping with your cat, getting your chin and head rubbed, and eating chocolate cake smothered in pretty foul cheese, your favourite. Happy Birthday Opus. I love you, and I always will. Arlene XX Attached Thumbnails __________________ Arlene and Opus Last edited by opus; 10-13-2011 at 04:34 PM.

10-13-2011, 03:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
barneysmom2510 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Rockport ma Posts: 633	Happy Birthday Opus. __________________ -LISA Mini daschunds Sadie Lou & Daisy dukes Chihuahua Lola Bassett Hound Barney

10-13-2011, 04:37 PM	#6 (permalink)
jaleely Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 942	Oh Opus, you handsome lad! I wish you 15 more...wouldn't that be amazing? What a doll you are. And Opus's parents what a really sweet and wonderful post you made. aw!!!!! __________________ Baby Bowsah's Bwog

10-13-2011, 05:37 PM	#8 (permalink)
MollyMcFrecklesMom Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Southeast PA Posts: 1,182	Happy Birthday, Opus. I love hearing the story of the elder statesmen (or women) hounds Here's to many more birthdays! __________________ Michelle - proudly owned by Molly (21 mos) and Winston (14 months). Molly McFreckles' World: The adventures of a Basset Hound living with Addison's Disease and a baby brother named Winston

10-13-2011, 05:49 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mommy2MaggieMae Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 137	What a wonderful story! Happy Birthday, precious Opus!!!! __________________ - Laura

10-13-2011, 04:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
houndmomma Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Chicago Posts: 503	Happy Happy Birthday Opus!!!!! Congratulations and God bless for so many happy and healthy years. Jen~

10-13-2011, 04:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
dreamons Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Laughlin,NV Posts: 458	A very happy birthday to you Opus. May you have several more but what a great life you have had so far with a very loving mom.

10-13-2011, 04:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
paisleysmom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Posts: 507	Oh Happy Birthday Dear Opus -- what a wonderful adventure filled life you have.... I think your greatest was the train trip from Cork. Have many many more happy days!!!!

10-13-2011, 05:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
henry'smum Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: arkansas Posts: 686	That pretty much made me cry! Happy birthday Opus!

10-13-2011, 06:17 PM	#10 (permalink)
AmyB Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 1,855	Awww, Happy Birthday Opus! I love the seniors. __________________ Amy, mom to Sadie (ATB, 6/9/06) & Spencer (ATB, 8/19/10) - always in my heart and Clifford (gotcha date 7/2/11).

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