lfonso is an elderly Spanish Galgo who was living in a rescue in Spain awaiting the completion of procedures involved with obtaining a pet passport so that he could travel to the UK and Tailends. He is a sweet old boy who was in a poor state when found tied up to a gate in December. He was coming here to take the place which our dear Gloria left for another needy Galgo. Tailends provided him with everything he needed while he waited in Spain. His legs were badly damaged at some point in his past and he now has arthritis which is being relieved by Previcox anti-inflammatory drugs. We asked for him to be x rayed and it was found that he has three gun shot pellets embedded in his leg and this area is very swollen, probably with a tumour. His leg has been broken at some stage and he has probably gone through a lot of pain. We are very grateful to Diane from Paws Patas for taking Alfonso into her home for his last two weeks in Spain. He was made very comfortable and we slept easier knowing he was out of his concrete kennel with cold weather approaching.
We all agreed that it would not be good for Alfonso to endure the long overland/ferry journey from Spain with the other dogs who were coming over to the UK, so Tailends arranged for him to fly out from Alicante to Gatwick (a flight of just 90 minutes) on the evening of 20th November 2009. Diane drove him to the airport where he was loaded into the large vari kennel which we had bought for him to travel in. (He had been used to sleeping and travelling in the kennel for a few days and he loved it and felt quite safe and secure in it.) He landed at 8.45pm and was examined by a vet at the animal reception centre before being handed to Sharon Mackenzie who made him comfortable on a nice duvet in her van for the journey down to the West Country. Sharon stopped at her parents’ home in Dorchester where they had a few hours sleep, food and rest, before setting off for the last stage of the journey to North Devon. Alfonso and Sharon arrived at 9am on Saturday morning (21st November). Alfonso was adored by everyone who met him on his journey and Sharon shed a few tears when it came to saying goodbye. We are so very grateful to Sharon and Denise – not forgetting Valerie Wood who liaised with me throughout Alfonso’s stay at Paws Patas.
Alfonso is a very special boy who will get the very best veterinary treatment available. He is such a sweetheart and so very grateful for all you do for him and loves his cuddles. He is now settling down at Tailends and making friends with the other dogs, enjoying his new walks and scenery. The weather was appalling at first but as soon as the sun comes out he will get his first experience of the beach where he can walk on soft sand and explore the shoreline.
Our boy was examined by vet on 24th November. Heart and lungs fine and awaiting blood results. The vet will examine the x rays which were taken in Spain before any decision is taken on surgery. He has quite severe CDRM which may improve with regular exercise - frequent fairly short walks only. He has very bad arthritis in his right wrist - no movement at all. This may be an old ligament injury. Possibly nothing to be done for that except Previcox. The vet said gun shot pellets which have been there some time just get surrounded by scar tissue and may not cause any problems or pain but again she will need to see x ray to be certain. Our boy was thrilled to be home again and rushed in and jumped on my bed. He travelled to the vet in his big box in the van and was quite happy - but may have thought he was going somewhere else, so was relieved to be back here. He really is the most amazing old lad who you could not help falling in love with.
