MacIain & Annie in their Katrina A-Team Fundraiser 'danas

MacIAIN McGUINNESS On 20 November 2005, Jackie writes: 2:00 PM Sunday 20th, MacIain was helped to cross The Bridge where he now joins Carrie & McGregor. His condition had deterioated on Saturday night and we had to call the vet out on Sunday. MacIain said it was time . . . he was tired. ANDREA DENNINGER: I don't know what to say, except I am so very very sorry . . . I had been hoping against hope that he would make it through. MELANIE FINDLAY: Me too. I'm so sorry, Jackie. CHRISTINE SHEFFER: There aren't any words to say what we all are feeling. It is a sad day. In time your memories of MacIain will be your greatest joy and comfort. Jackie writes the next day: Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts and condolences. On Saturday we had problems feeding him through the tube; he would only take 80ml at one feeding, then 50ml, then 30ml. He was supposed to have 6 x 100mls per day. Then at 1:00 Sunday morning, he wanted out. When we came in, he took a drink of water which he was allowed but the vet had warned us that as the scarring continued to grow this would become a problem. He had no sooner had the drink when he wanted to be sick. Then at 8:00 a.m. Sunday after his breakfast feed he wanted to be sick; we knew this was bad and called the vet out. It was very peaceful in his own home and bed and he is buried at the bottom of our garden by a Scots pine next to McGregor. I thought calling the vet was hard, but walking that green mile with my spade to the bottom of the garden was the hardest thing ever. We put him in the back of my car and drove it slowly down the garden . . . he loved being in my car. CHERYL SILVER: What a kind and gentle way to let your boy go . . . you were the best for him right to the end . . . my heart is breaking for you . . . that walk to the bottom of the garden must have seemed like the journey of a lifetime . . . hugs from all of us in Austin, Texas. CAROL WALKER: I am so sorry! Airdaledom has lost another one of the great ones. Know that our thoughts & prayers are with you during this very difficult time.

CONTINUE WITH THE McGUINNESS STORY HERE