Moushka, a sweet Sydney Silkie

Unfortunately, I have another dog to farewell. Moushka was my first official pet sit in 2015. I also sat with her on my 22nd and 33rd pet sit.

The housesitting ad said, “To care for one small elderly dog”. Moushka was 15 years old when I first met her. She was the 3rd generation of Sydney Silkie terriers bred by Lillian and Greg. Moushka did not seem ‘elderly’ to me. At times, Moushka chose to take her time on walks but if she wanted to run, she was fast. She also did other normal dog stuff like race around the house when you come home and would do a roll over trick with a bit of encouragement.

Moushka in her first week

Moushka was a well-seasoned travelling dog and undertook all the New Zealand travelling activities of her owners whether by motor home or boat. I saw Moushka standing proudly at the bow of her dinghy one day about 6 months after our first sit together. By coincidence, Lillian and Greg (and Moushka) moored in the same bay which I housesat in.

Moushka would come with me when I visited my family. Always well behaved, she would mosey around each of the houses I visited and find a place for a nap. Even the cats we visited did not faze Moushka, her interest was in finding their feeding bowl rather than bothering with cats.

Moushka in her first year

Moushka was not a lap dog but she liked to have you near and in between naps would come looking for you. She loved to visit her neighbouring family (the home of Lillian and Greg’s son) at mealtimes. Obviously, it was a worthwhile endeavour with successful recovery of tidbits from under the table.

“There are days that I think I see or hear her. All those little things that make me miss her”
Lillian

Between the first and second sit with Moushka, she lost an eye. It just disintegrated and caused a lot of pain so the vet decided to remove the eye. Moushka adapted well with one eye, but when her remaining eye started to fall apart 12 months later, it caused her much stress. Lillian and Greg sought medical advice on Moushka’s situation and after much consideration; they made the decision to euthanise Moushka.

Moushka had a large family network of Lillian and Greg, their children and grandchildren. She was a very much-loved dog and leaves a gap in many lives. My condolences go out to her large pack.

Moushka in her last year