Monday 7 January 2008

A Gift From Oskar

Hello all, I hope you're all well. We are finally getting around to telling you about our Christmas presents. It'll be next Christmas at this rate!

Now, you remember us modelling these rather lovely bandannas in our Christmas post? I told you then there was a story behind them.

Aren't they wonderful? They are really well made with nice clippy fastenings, and lovely designs on both sides. Cassidy better not think she can commandeer mine when she grows out of hers though!

Now, I think ma may have told you before about her friend in America who lost her dear old Airedale boy Buster in 2007. She stumbled across Oscar's blog afterwards and took some comfort in reading about our Oscar as he was very like Buster in mannerisms and personality apparently. Her and ma became good friends emailing each other lots. Happiness came to them again in the very cute shape of Oskar. Oscar and Oskar became good buddies via email and blogging, and ma helped Oskars mum as much as she could with the grief of losing sweet Buster. Then came the awful day that Oscar died, and this time it was ma that received lots and lots of support from Oskar and his mum. Ma and Oskar's mum are now very good friends, and have a great deal of ESP going on between them about many things. They are a spooky pair sometimes and will email each other something which the other was going to ask anyway, think of the same things, and have many things in common. Hopefully we will meet Oskar's mum and dad later this year when they come to Europe and we are all excited.

Anyway, back to the story. Oskar went to an event called the Furry Scurry in May last year and his mum saw these lovely bandannas and thought they would be great for the then little puppy Oskar and his bigger mentor Oscar. See that they even have cowboy theme pictures for Sherif Sundance Kid (Oscar's posh name). They hadn't got around to posting Oscar's bandanna to him before he died. Oskar and his mum decided they would like myself and young Cassidy to have them and wear them in honour of the two Oscar's and the friendship between our families, this our lovely Christmas surprise parcel.

Here is Oskar wearing the small bandanna back when he was a little puplet earlier last year (he's now a big handsome boy).

Isn't he adorable? I wish he could come over to meet us too, but alas I fear he'll have to stay at home.

But there weren't just bandannas in the parcel. There was something else very beautiful and special. Oskar's mum had created this beautiful cross stitch in memory of Oscar. It depicts a tree in autumn, winter, spring and summer and is so, so pretty. It is entitled "Four Seasons at Seven Fields", which is where Oscar spent many happy hours playing with his friends, splashing in the river, chasing squirrels, fetching balls and generally being a happy puppy, and where part of him lives on. Ma likes the way the summer is at the end of the pictures, as summer is a happy time when there is lots of new life. It reminds her that although Oscar is no longer with her and pa, there is new life in the shape of Cassidy and I.

This is rather blurred (ma needs a better camera), but it says

Four seasons at Seven Fields

A tribute to Oscar

Alive in our hearts forever

Isn't that a simply beautiful gift, and a lovely way to remember Oscar? We were all very touched by the gift. It has been hung with Oscar's photos and certificates and will be forever treasured. Thank you so very much Oskar and your dear mum and dad. We love you all lots.

Toodle pip,

Harry x

29 comments:

Headgirl said...

Hi there!

What lovely thoughtful gifts!
I remember Oskar, am so glad you're in touch.

Love, pats & pets
Blue

Asta said...

Cassidyand Harry
That is a lovely stowy and a gweat gift! I lovehow you look in youw bananas and Oskar has gwown into a handsome boy..it's suwely a twue loveline you have with Oskar's family and the love and happiness continues fow youw pawents with the two of you..the twees awe lovely..I know how much Oscar loved his seven fields..he's still womping thewe.
smoochie kisses
ASta

Anonymous said...

That is the most thoughtful gift we've ever heard of! There really are some lovely humans out there.

River

Molly the Airedale said...

What beautiful and thoughtful gifts from Oskar's mom! You guys look lovely in your bandanas!
BTW, my pink harness can be found at this website: http://www.thedogwearcollection.com/home.html

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Katherine and Pippa said...

It's lovely.

Pippa and Katherine

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

Those are beautiful scarfs!!
Mom talked about getting us bandanna's but she is afraid that Louie would just chew them up....
He is such a chewer.

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus and Louie

Peanut said...

That made mom get all teary eyed (I notice this happens a lot more since dad left) and go on and on about what people there are in the world. I think it's a lovely way to remember Oscar.

Lorenza said...

Hi, Harry and Cassidy!
Those a lovely presents!
Its so nice your mom has a great friendship with Oskar's mom!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Agatha and Archie said...

Oh how lovely!!! You both look very nice in your bandanas and that is such a lovely cross stitch..It was a truly wonderfull tribute! Love A+A

Joe Stains said...

The friendship sure seems like the best gift but you guys look super great in your bananandndndnananaas.

Gus said...

My philosopher friend Joe said it all, friendship is the very best gift and te bananadannas are lovely symbols

gussie

T-man Angel said...

What a beautiful gift and memory!! Oskar's parents sound very special. It'll be wonderful to finally meet them.

Kirby said...

Hi Harry, Hi Cassidy,

What wonderful Christmas presents from Oskar and his Mom. My Mom got teary eyed looking and reading about the beautiful Seven Fields cross stitch. Such a beautiful memory of Oscar and his favorite place to romp. Your bandanas are quite snazzy. You both look great in them. Looks like you got some great prezzies for you and your ma and pa!

Your pal,
Kirby

Girl Girl Hamster said...

Oskar sure is a cute and nice puppy. I hope you 3 will meet up and have lots of fun together

~ Girl girl

Noah the Airedale said...

Gosh D has the tissues out again. What a lovely story. We often think of Oscar. He was such a special friend and the beautiful cross stitch is a wonderful gift to have to remember Oscar.

Hugs and tail wags
Noah Willow Tess & Lucy

Simba and Jazzi said...

What thoughtful gifts.

Simba xx

Amber-Mae said...

Awww, those are loverly gifts from Oskar! The bandannas look good on you both...

Love licks,
Solid Gold Dancer

Princess Patches said...

Those bandanas are super cool! We love the wonderful tribute to Oscar. We know he is running and playing at Seven Fields!

Aire-hugs,
Poppy & Penny

The Black and Tans. said...

You both look so proud wearing your new bandanas.
We think the gift your Ma received is beautiful I expect it will have pride of place in your house so you can all appreciate it over the years to come.

Molly and Taffy

Myeo said...

Hey Oscar & Cassidy

Those are lovely gifts!

Love
Boy n Baby

Ruby Bleu said...

That is so bootiful. It's even making mom leak from her eyes a little!

Lots of Licks, Ruby

Marvin -The Hollow Hound said...

Harry, please tell your Ma, the cross stitch picture is just beautiful, how kind of Oskar's Mum.

There are a great deal of good people and dogs in the world, especially on the internet. We have made some wonderful friends via dog blogging, your Ma and Pa included, and you both of course!

love and licks, Marvin and love from Jeannie xxxxx

Frasier said...

Hi
Those are smart bandannas
Was Buster from Florida ?Did he have a blog too?
Frasier

Sophie Brador said...

Harry, It's so great when people and pups make new friends. If they haven't yet, I sure hope your mum and Oskar's mom get to meet face-to-face one day.

xo
SB

p.s. You two look lovely in your bandanas.

Boo Casanova said...

that's one wonderful story harry. you look absolutely fabulous while lil cassidy is a lil lost. lol i'm sure she'll get used to all the fuss.

wet wet licks

Boo

Ferndoggle said...

What awesome gifts. Mom loves that tribute to Oscar. It's perfect.

Sherman, Penny & Lola

FleasGang said...

Wow! I just went and read your post on Oscar's blog about Oskar. It IS amazing how similar they are. You guys have dueling photos instead of dueling banjos! (not sure if you get that or not. It's a musical reference from the states). But anywho, that was really sweet of Oskar's mom and dad to send you those bandannas.

luv
The FleasGang

Stanley said...

Harry & Cassidy!

Isn't it funny how close we pups and hoomans can get with each other without ever meeting? My girl and I love the story, and now we love Oskar and his mama too (anyone who loves our Oscar Boy so much is okay by us)!

The gifts are definitely special, and it sounds like your mama has found a heart friend! I hope they get to visit you when they go to Europe!

Goober love & smooches,
Stanley

Stella said...

Hey, Mr. Big Harry!

That's a very sweet story about angel Oscar, his fren Oskar and Oskar's mama. You all are good frens now & sharing the love!

Thanks for sharing that story. I LOVE it, and love you too!

Gooby love & kissies,
Stella