Grunt (Saurus Girl)

'Grunt', nicknamed Saurus Girl was my wonderful multi-skilled and multi-talented, almost 9 year old, English Bull Terrier. We lived together alone, with some canine additions along the way, but Saurus Girl was part human. She was mummy's favorite girl, mummy's brown-eyed girl.

She gave people such joy entertaining them with her compulsive quirkiness. She was loving and loyal, stubborn and tolerant. She wore her party hats and Christmas hats every year, and sunhats in summer. Saurus would dance when mummy danced, attack the hose when mummy hosed. She would attack the broom and vacuum cleaner, and sit ever so patiently awaiting to "kill" a friend's cigarette.

One year Grunt was published in our local newspaper, titled 'The Dog that Loves Christmas'. She was obsessed with the bristles on the Christmas tree. They must have felt soooo good on her back, as she would walk ever so slowly around and around and around, like she was entranced.

I used to say that my Saurus Girl was the most intelligent dog. I'd heard somewhere that the dog with the higest vocabulary knew of 26 words.....well my Saurus Girl knew so much more. She knew the difference between a squeaky toy, ball, stick, tugga-war, rubber ring, raw hide, biscuit, smoke, drink, collar, twiggy stick..........

On August 11th 1999, my baby died, after being ill for three days. The vets aren't sure exactly what was the cause, although they said that they suspect from the x-rays, that it could have been pneumonia.

I don't know how to live without my Saurus Girl. When I think of my life once I left my parent's house, it was with Grunt. Sure I had boyfriend's and even a husband for a short time over the nine years, but nothing was stable and secure like the relationship between Grunt and myself.

She was my half daughter/ half best friend. I miss her ever so much!