Archived Documents 1st Quarter 2007

Update 25 March 2007...

I am so sorry to have to tell everyone that our dear Alison (who came to Tailends on August 24th 2006 with Hazel) left us on Friday 23rd March. This is such a tragedy, especially as her scan on February 2nd showed that the bladder lining was completely back to normal. The Piroxicam had worked - or so I thought. I took her to the vet on Tuesday 20th March for a further scan and blood test to ensure that the situation was still stable, and potentially for a dental scale and polish. Sadly the blood results indicated that her kidneys were seriously failing and the dental would not be possible. The scan showed that the bladder lining was begining to thicken again. We could not continue with Piroxicam because it would fatally damage her kidneys so there was little to be done. She was still eating and seemed happy enough so it was decided with Alison (our vet) that we keep her and monitor the situation very closely.

Alison started to have difficulty breathing early on Friday morning and I realised that there was a chance that any cancer present had spread to other organs, including the lungs. I was not going to let her suffer so I immediately called out the vet, who agreed with my thoughts.

Alison died peacefully in her own bed without any distress or pain. She had just seven short months at Tailends though this was more than the seven weeks which her friend Hazel had. Alison loved the beach and did have some real quality time here until she finally became so ill that she could not stay with us any longer. We miss her so very much. It is so difficult to cope with the grief especially as dear Lucas died just two weeks before Alison. However this is not about me but about these wonderful dogs. I am so glad that we were able to help this poor old girl who had languished in miserable kennels for so many years. Farewell my sweet girl until we meet again in a better world.

Update 15 March 2007...

HOLLY...

We first heard about Holly in mid February, when we were initially asked to take her at Tailends by our friends in Staffordshire. I agreed, particularly as we were told that she was quite poorly, having been rescued from the local dog pound in a poor condition. However a local lady agreed to take her on permanent foster so we agreed that would be best for Holly. Sadly the foster did not work out and she was again in need of a home, so I immediately made plans to get her to Tailends as soon as possible so that the old girl would not have to be moved again. We are very grateful to Greyhound Gap for their assistance with the transport of Holly from Oswestry to Croyde on Saturday March 10th. I would also like to thank the very kind drivers who gave up their time to help. Holly arrived here at about 4pm and came for a nice walk on the dunes after her long journey. She really enjoys her walks and eats everything put in front of her. She loves the beach and does a little hop and skip when she feels the sand beneath her feet.

Holly is a small brindle lurcher bitch. Her exact age is unknown but we would guess at around 13yrs. She is totally deaf and has an eye condition which our vet discovered when we took her to be examined on Tuesday. This disease of the eye is known as Pannus. I had never heard of this before but apparently it is when pigment obscures the eye. She also has cataracts. The Pannus is being treated initially with steroid drops and we will return to the vet in two weeks for a check. I hope we can save her sight. Holly has had a major dental with about 21 extractions but her mouth will need continual monitoring to prevent further disease as tartar is already building up again. I am using paste daily to reduce this. Holly gets very tired but this is to be expected as she is having more exercise and mental stimulation than she has probably had in the past. We have no idea what her life was like before she found herself in a dog pound but judging by the thickness of her coat it is likely that she was kept outside. Holly reminds me so much of little Arfa. Her face is very like his and she has the same little dancing gait as she walks. I also suspect that she may have early dementia but it is difficult to be certain at this stage. Holly will be available for sponsorship. Dudley is continuing to go for aquatherapy on a regular basis. He is very bright and cheerful but in my heart I know that we can only buy him some little time and soon a decision will have to be taken which will break my heart. However for now he is pain free and has lots of mental stimulation. A new sling/harness has been purchased which is so much better than any others I have tried and takes the pressure off my back when helping him walk. He is also on a stricter vegetable based diet which he seems to be quite happy with. We can only take one day at a time.

VET VISITS...

Ben went to the vet for a check on Tueday. He is doing very well. He now weighs over 14 kilos. (IHe was only 8 kilos when he arrived very thin and weak.) He is a happy little chap, though we are aware that he does have a heart problem and his kidneys are failing. He is having a renal diet which was very kindly donated by a very kind lady. He has a little bell on his posh collar (which was also donated by one of his sponsors) so I can hear where he is when he disappears in the garden. He is deaf - so calling him is not an option.

Barney Rubble also went to the vet on Tuesday - potentially for a dental. However when Alison listened to his heart, she thought it was so bad that surgery was out of the question. He also has a growth in his mouth which could be a tumour. Barney is nearly 16 years old and is doing very well considering all his health issues. We are aware that he could have very little time left but for the moment he is eating, going for two short walks each day and bounces around he garden when he is waiting to go out on the footpath. He is not in any obvious pain (I give him pain relief anyway) and he sleeps well. I am treating his teeth with paste. Barney is happy and stable so long as he has his routines so that is what we will continue to give him.

Bluebell is going to the vet tomorrow (Thursday 15th March) to have her teeth cleaned again. Hopefully this will make her more comfortable.

SPONSORSHIPS 14.03.07...

We apologise for slight delays in sending out sponsorship details at present. This is due to the illness of the dedicated lady who runs out scheme for us. I hope she will soon be feeling better and in the meantime please understand that we will get the information to you as soon as possible. Thank you.

Donations...

I cannot tell you how grateful we are for donations towards the care of the old dogs here. Our expenses for veterinary treatment and medications are increasing all the time and without your kind generosity we could not continue to help so many dogs. I do like to write to thank everyone individually but sometimes the sender does not include an address so this is not possible. I would like to thank you very much for helping us.

Update 10 March 2007...

Cleggie went to the vet yesterday for a dental, removal of a lump on his back and X-rays to investigate why he keeps collapsing when out for a short walk. We knew that he has quite severe muscle wastage but I thought there might be something else going on. The X-ray revealed arthritis in his hips and spine and also narrowing of disc space in the lumbar-sacral region of the vertebral column. There is little we can do but give him strong pain relief and ensure he only goes for shorter walks. The good news is that he has put on over two kilograms in weight since he came here so hopefully his ribs should soon disappear from sight! Cleggie enjoyed a good supper when he got home and is doing very well. His stitches will come out in the usual ten days time.

Lucas was fine yesterday morning, eating his breakfast as usual and then going off to lie in a sunny spot in the hall. During the afternoon I became aware that all was not well. He was reluctant to go for his walk and was not interested in eating. His breathing was also laboured so I decided to take him to the vet when Clegg was collected. A blood test was done but it revealed very little. In fact the readings showed that his kidney failure was slightly improved from when he came. During the night he became very ill and I decided to give him a sedative which enabled him to sleep peacefully until morning. I rang the vet and arranged to take him to the hospital for X-rays to find out what was going on in his chest. There were two possibilities - either he had a chest infection which could be dealt with by putting him on a drip and giving him treatment or something more nasty was going on. Alison rang me later to advise that his chest was full of fluid and the heart could not even be seen on the X-ray. She had extracted a sample of the fluid and it was full of Leucocytes which indicated that he had a malignant tumour. There was nothing I could do but let her help our dear old chap leave his diseased body. Lucas was only here for three short months but he was the kindest, most gentle greyhound who was very much loved. Farewell my dear old boy - until we meet again. We are so grateful and privileged that we shared some time together when you needed us.

Update 5 March 2007...

Dudley went to his first session of aquatherapy yesterday. He was a little apprehensive at first as I doubt whether he has ever been in water before, or had any experience of being wet except in the rain. He really enjoyed his swim in the warm pool and was paddling around happily using his back legs for the first time for weeks. I was so pleased to see this after worrying that they might just hang limply in the water. He went to Magic's Pool in Stolford, North Somerset. Pam was brilliant and accompanied him in the water - helping and encouraging him to get the most out of the exercise. He then went into the jacuzzi where the jets helped to support him and stimulate his muscles. He was dried off with a hair drier and given a nice drink with honey in it. The day was a great success with the only drawback being that it took over 2 hrs each way and took up a huge chunk of an already busy schedule. However Dudley really enjoyed it and hopefully it will help buy him some time before the CDRM becomes unmanageable. We love Dudley very much, and will do anything to help him. I will hopefully post some photos of Dudley's aquatherapy as soon as they are available.

Ben is going to the vet for further checks on Thursday. He is becoming quite senile and is exhibiting repetitive behaviour. Ben suffered greatly - probably for years - through terrible neglect before coming here. He is a sweet little chap and enjoys his food, but is abnorminally active for his age. His kidney disease is progressing so we need to monitor his condition closely. However I believe he is happy and is certainly given every care which was sadly lacking in his former home.

Update 27 February 2007...

Dudley's condition has been deteriorating over recent weeks and he now needs assistance to move around. However he is not in pain and is very bright and loves to go out in the car and also has a little walk in his cart each day. I have decided to try Aquatherapy for Dudley. This involves a long journey to the nearest suitable pool where they have a slope to enter the water and a therapist to accompany him in the water. There is also physiotherapy available after the swim. Dudley needs to get his muscles working and this seems to be the only way we can do that now. I will let everyone know how he does on his first trip. My dog sitter will stay with the other dogs while I accompany Dudley to Magic's Pool near Bridgwater in Somerset. If anyone is available to take Dudley for any future visits please let me know. (We will pay petrol expenses.)

Clegg is doing very well and is really happy here. He loves his walks though I am concerned that the weakness in his back legs is not just muscle wastage. I have therefore decided to have x-rays done next week when he goes for a dental. Clegg has fitted in so well to the routine here and is very eager to please. He loves the other dogs and at night he sleeps very well on his Memory Bed at the bottom of my bed.

GOOD NEWS - Update 15 February 2007...

Fourteen dogs were rescued from a kennel and moved to safe compassionate sanctuaries on December 1st 2006. I am happy to report that the following dogs are now living happily in their new homes after receiving thorough veterinary checks, neutering, dentals etc:

Frankie - homed in Northamptonshire.Liz & Fly - homed together into a loving home in Kent. They are devoted to each other and will now be together for the rest of their lives. Daisy - safe and sound in a home in Kent. Molly - enjoying her new home in Weston-Super-Mare. Poppy - living happily in Cradley Heath. George - living with a lovely lady, who works from home, in Staffordshire. I am delighted that Spats has been offered a home and will be going off to his new friends next week. Spats does not get on very easily with other dogs but is adorable and simply loves human company.

Joseph is living in luxury in a farmhouse in Staffs and will stay there for the rest of his life. Thomas is also living in Staffs with Joseph. He has sadly been diagnosed with a tumour on his lower leg and we are presently waiting for the biopsy results with bated breath. We all so hope that there will soon be some good news and that the growth is not an aggressive bone cancer. Please remember Thomas in your thoughts and prayers. He is much loved and is having the very best of care. Either way, he will remain with Joseph having the best of TLC from Caroline, for whatever time he has left.

The four remaining dogs are Zena, who is adored by Mandy in Northants. She is a very nervous girl and has thyroid problems which are being treated. Once she gets to know you she is an absolute sweetie. She is just frightened of strangers. Ginny is in a sanctuary in Kent and is expected to find a permanent forever home next week. Bill is also currently with Mandy and is expected to find a home in the next few days. He is adored by everyone at NGR. Harry is in Lincolnshire at Fenbank sanctuary. He is a lovely laid back boy. There are several people interested in offering him a home and we are presently awaiting news that he has found his special forever friend.

SPECIAL "BARK" APPEAL. CAN YOU HELP? Tailends would be grateful if anyone can donate "small/mini chip bark" for the garden so that the dogs can walk outside to relieve themselves in comfort without the mud caused by continuous rain. Maybe there is a tree surgeon out there who has some to spare? We have purchased a number of sacks but are finding that we really need much more so that it is laid to a reasonable thickness in the two areas. If you can help and do not live too far away could you give us a ring. We would be very grateful as it is quite expensive to purchase large numbers of sacks. Thank you.

Update 13 February 2007...

Clegg went to the vet yesterday and has no apparent serious health issues. He needs a dental and there is a lump on his back which needs to be removed but we will leave this for a week or two to give him a chance to settle in first. He is painfully thin and weighs 29 kilos, whereas a large boy like him should really weigh around 38 kilos. His back legs are very weak and generally he is quite frail. He loves his food and never leaves anything in his bowl so hopefully he will soon put on weight and become stronger with regular walks to the beach and fields. He is fascinated with the rabbits, especially as they have no fear of him and lounge around on the footpath in front of him. He loves the other dogs here and likes to go for walks with his friend Lucas or little Bluebell. This morning he went down to the lakes to see the ducks and look for frogspawn. I have seen a real improvement in just three days so am optimistic for Clegg and hope he will be able to enjoy his life here for many months to come.

Update 11 February 2007...

Clegg - Arrived at Tailends 10.02.07.
We heard about this old boy about a week ago. Clegg is a 13yr old large white and tan Greyhound boy who was initially admitted into rescue last June from a dog pound in North Staffs. We understand that he has been in several foster homes and was returned through no fault of his own. Last week he was returned from the last foster home to kennels once again.

We are very grateful to Dave Lee (our webmaster) for posting the appeal for transport so quickly onto the site and also to everyone who helped in any way, especially Jenny Price who collected Clegg from the kennel and brought him down to Bristol and also Julie who brought him from Bristol to Croyde. You are both so very kind to give up your Saturday to help Clegg.

Clegg is very thin and his back legs are quite wobbly. He also has very laboured breathing. Tomorrow (Monday 12th February), he will be going to our vet for a thorough check to find out how best we can help him. He loves his food and does not leave a scrap in the dish. This morning he went for a leisurely stroll along the footpath and saw some rabbits which absolutely fascinated him. Clegg is now safely in the care of Tailends for the rest of his life and we will do everything possible to make him comfortable and happy. He slept soundly at the bottom of my bed last night and is enjoying the company of the other dogs. We will post photos of Clegg on the site asap. He is available for sponsorship.

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Charlie - has been having problems with his right eye. Our vet examined him and found he had uveitis - which can be very serious. He was put on anti-biotics, anti-inflamatories and two types of eye drops. After a few days of treatment he was much better and more comfortable and the vet was very pleased with his progress. He will go back for another check tomorrow. We are now very hopeful that the eye can be saved.

Alison - went to the Veterinary Hospital for another scan last week and we are delighted to report that her bladder is almost back to normal. Our vet was amazed that she is doing so well and we can only hope that her progress will continue. Hopefully she will be able to come off the tablets completely in a few weeks. We will continue with the Cystaid which is mainly glucosamine and can only benefit her in the long term.

Barnie Rubble - is our very ancient boy who has several health issues and recently I have been wondering if he was coming to the end, and whether it would be kinder to let him go. However his bright eyes and good appetite - plus his eagerness for his afternoon amble to the fields made me wonder if this recent worry might just be a minor treatable condition. He is on a course of anti-biotics and will be examined by our vet again tomorrow. She feels that he may have a bit of prostate infection which hopefuly can be dealt with easily. Barnie's legs are very wobbly, but he still manages to bounce across the room when he is hungry and looking for his dinner. He is such a character and while he is not in pain, sleeps well and is enjoying life, we will continue to do the best we can to allow him to enjoy whatever time he has left.

Tweenie - is now completely recovered from her recent surgery and is eating for England! She also winges for England whenever she cannot find her mum!

Gloria - seems to be alright at present. She is eating again, though is getting very picky. Her blood test was clear so we will continue to monitor her. We do not know her exact age, unlike the greyhounds, so she might just be getting frail with old age. She likes to sit in one of the arm chairs, looking down at the other dogs and thinking how superior she is to them. She spoke politely to Clegg telling him that he must get her permission to sit on the bed outside the study so he obliged and moved. She sat on it for two minutes (just to make the point) and then she got back on her chair and told him he could have the bed back. She really is a madam!

Update 26 January 2007...

SPECIAL REQUEST The TRPD Pet Craft Project holds regular online quizzes to benefit smaller rescues. If you would like to participate in a quiz on behalf of Tailends, we would be most grateful. You can win prizes which would then be sent to us for our old dogs. If you would like to find out more then please visit WWW.TRPD.CO.UK and the Forum Boards - thanks.

DAISY MAY - GOOD NEWS AND BAD!
The results of Daisy May's biopsy came through yesterday. The histological examination of the tumour revealed that it was a mammary ductular carsinoma - a malignant tumour.

However, the lab feel that the tumour has been completely excised and say that "a guardedly optimistic prognosis is appropriate". This is great and we hope that the surgery has given Daisy May the chance of many more months of happy retirement at Tailends.

Tweenie is almost back to normal after the traumatic removal of both anal glands. She is now eating well after an initial reluctance to swallow anything I offered. She is a tough little girl and in spite of her age we hope she will have plenty more time here to enjoy herself. Her life will be so much improved now that she does not have to cope with the discomfort of blocked glands every few weeks.

Gloria has had a very bad bout of gastritis and had to be taken to the vet on Thursday (Jan 25th) morning after a sleepless night. Apparently there is a nasty bug affecting many dogs in this area and there were some on drips at the hospital. Thankfully Gloria seems to be coping and after two injections and a course of tablets, she has been sleeping and feeling better. She is still not feeling like eating, but hopefully she will be back to normal in a day or two.

Update 21 January 2007...

DOG MINDER NEEDED...
Tailends needs someone to look after the oldies for short periods when I am taking someone to the vet or going out on urgent business. If you can help please give a ring or email. You will obviously need to live nearby.

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Tweenie - has been having continual problems with blocked anal glands. Last week it was so painful for Tweenie when our vet started to unblock them, that the decision was taken to remove the glands altogether. This was carried out on Monday 15th January. Tweenie was put on a drip throughout the difficult procedure and was kept in the hospital overnight. I was worried because of her age but she is amazingly robust and is now home and doing well. The stitches come out on Friday 26th and we hope by then the area should be healed. She is wearing her Moon Collar during the day to prevent her damaging the stitches but this is less traumatic for an oldie than the rigid Buster collars.

Daisy May - On the 10th January I noticed an irregular mammory lump when I checked Daisy May over, following her dinner. The adjacent nipple was also leaking blood so I quickly arranged to take her to the vet. It was decided to put Daisy on a seven day course of antibiotics and then if there was no improvement to bring her in for immediate surgery. She was subsequently taken to Mullacott Veterinary Hospital on 18th January to have the lump removed. Our vet found that the lump had increased in size during the few days since she last examined her and confirmed that it was a tumour. It was also decided to remove a troublesome deformed nail and part of the toe on her rear left foot while she was under anaesthetic. This was done successfully and she will have all the stitches out on Monday 29th Janaury. Meanwhile she has a smart blue bandage on her foot covered by a thick polythene bag when she goes out to keep it dry. We await the results of a biopsy taken from Daisy's mammory lump and hope that the tumour will prove to be benign. Daisy is completely back to normal and is enjoying her meals and walks as usual. She is such a nervous girl but has been very brave and never flinched when she had her dressing changed yesterday. We can only hope that the news next week will be good.

Quality hand-made greeting cards Tailends is selling good quality hand-made greeting cards which have been made and supplied to Tailends completely free of charge by Judy Zatonski. Please support us by purchasing a pack or two for those unexpected birthdays etc. They are very reasonably priced at just £4.50 for a pack of 4 (including postage). Numbers are limited but we currently have a very good selection. There are congratulations cards, wedding, birth, moving home etc as well as birthday. We also still have a few T-shirts, sweat-shirts, polo-shirts and fleeces in medium/large sizes. Please ring or email for details of what sizes are left.

Update 5 January 2007...

Thank You...
Tailends would like to thank everyone who sent donations or parcels containing treats, blankets, medications, duvet covers, food, coats etc for our oldies this Christmas. We are so grateful to all the kind people who took the trouble to help us in any way. Your help is really appreciated and without your continuing support we would really be struggling to provide the care which these dogs need. I would like to particularly thank Judy Zatonski who continues to run our brilliant "Sponsor a Dog" scheme, make cards, calendars and helps us in numerous other ways. The other person who has made a tremendous difference to the success of Tailends is Dave Lee, who set up and runs this website for us (despite my incompetence and ignorance of the technicalities involved). I am very grateful to both these people and I cannot imagine how we could continue without them.

I would also like to mention the support of the Sighthounds-on-Line website, which has also led to our association with the TRPD Project - a group of "Guardian Angels" who take on projects to help rescues all over the country whenever they hear of a need. These wonderful folk recently provided Tailends with beautiful waterproof covers for our dog beds thereby saving the mountains of washing generated when incontinent dogs are "caught short". Within a very short time of my appeal, members of this oganisation sponsored the provision of the covers and they were quickly made and despatched to us. Thank you to Al and everyone involved.

You are all amazing and generous people and I can never thank you enough for helping us to give the dogs in our care the very best retirement possible.