Archived Documents 1st Quarter 2009

Update 24 March 2009...

Ben’s health has been deteriorating in recent weeks but he has fought all problems with his usual courage. It is always very difficult in this situation but I normally find that the dog themselves will tell me when their time has come and life is really too difficult to go on. Ben has been eating well and wanting to go on his very limited walks. He has been enjoying the sunshine and spending time pottering around in the garden. However there was a distinct change in him on the morning of the 20th March. He did not seem to want to get up in the morning whereas normally he would be the first to jump up and head for the garden. He did not want to go out or have his breakfast and I could see that his poor old legs were just too weak to support him anymore. His little feet were ice cold showing very poor circulation even though the weather was warm. I could not let him go on like this. It was time for me to let my dear little boy leave this world. I rang the vet to come out and at 4.20pm my dear devoted little Ben left his old worn out body to fly with the angels. I miss him terribly. He was always with me and now I have an empty bed in my study where he should be. He was part of my life for nearly three years and it is so hard to be without him. Goodbye for now my old friend. I am so glad that I was privileged to share some time with you and provide the love and care that you had never had. You have gone so soon after my dear Gloria and poor little Chloe and the pain is so hard to bear. You were very precious to me and your spirit will live on here at Tailends.

Chloe - During the early hours of 16th March I heard Chloe making strange noises and I pulled back her blanket revealing that she was lying awkwardly and appeared to have suffered some sort of trauma. I carefully picked her up and cuddled her though I think she was unconscious. Her breathing was very erratic during the next fifteen minutes and a few minutes after 3am she sadly died. There was nothing I could have done. It all happened so quickly and it was so unexpected. On the day before she had actually started to find her way around the garden and for the first time walked indoors and into the room on her own. Alison thinks she must have suffered some sort of stroke. Poor little Chloe should never have been abandoned by her cruel owner at her age. It would have been kinder for them to have her quietly put to sleep if they could not keep her. However I am glad she came to us for her last few weeks. I think she was happy here and we did all we could to make her comfortable and feel loved. Sleep tight little Chloe and then join all the boys and girls who have lived in our care at Tailends and are now waiting at Rainbow Bridge for me to join them.

Update 13 March 2009...

HELPERS NEEDED...

Help Needed for Sponsor Scheme - Louise is happy to do the admin side of the scheme from May this year when Judy will take a much deserved break. We are now urgently looking for someone creative, with a few hours spare each week who would like to help Louise run the Tailends Sponsor A Dog Scheme. This scheme brings in much needed income to help with our ever increasing vet bills. We are also looking for someone to design and print the Christmas cards, Valentine cards, Summer updates and cards needed when the sponsors dog passes away. I will pay for the cards, ink cartridges, envelopes, stamps etc. as necessary and supply the photographs of the dogs. You have the opportunity to design the cards and use your artistic skills to produce cards you feel the sponsors would like to receive from their chosen dogs. This is a commitment of time on a regular basis so please think about it and let us know if you feel able to undertake this work for Tailends. The cards are sent out three times a year but new sponsors come in randomly throughout the year though Christmas does tend to be quite busy. Also cards informing sponsors of the death of their dog and offering them a replacement sponsor dog are needed as necessary. It is essential that accurate records are kept and that new sponsors receive their pack - ideally at least within a couple of weeks of applying. If you want to ask any questions - then please email Judy

COULD YOU HELP RUN A STALL FOR TAILENDS AT THE WHAM SHOW IN ESSEX? 27th September 2009 - The magnificent WHAM show will take place at Hylands Park in Essex. If you live close enough and could run the Tailends stall for us could you let me know. This is a very friendly dog show which brings in much needed funding for small animal charities. There is a great atmosphere and anyone involved will not fail to enjoy the day. The organisers put in a lot of hard work to make the show a success. Contact us if you can offer any assistance with this show - thanks. I have had a few enquiries but I would now like to confirm that there is somebody who could do this for Tailends. We can supply merchandise, literature or anything needed for the stall. Please email Tailends if you can make this commitment. I would be very grateful.

GLORIA'S LEGACY...

We have located a poor old galgo in southern Spain who is unlikely to have a chance of being sent for rehoming. He is probably about 12/13 yrs old and was found chained to a gate. He is now being cared for in the kennels of PAWS-PATAS rescue in Almeria and we are in communication with Valerie Wood who is involved with this rescue. She is going to take this old boy home to be fostered with her in April until he comes over to Tailends. He has arthritis especially in his front right leg where he has had a break at some time in the past. He has antibodies for Leishmaniasis but is not suffering from the disease. Tailends will pay for him to have a Pet Passport so that he can come to the UK later this year and we will fund his care while he is in Spain. I am sure Gloria has chosen this poor old boy to come to us in the place she no longer needs. This is the best way I know of honouring the memory of that very special girl who I miss terribly. He is currently called Cupido but we are now deciding with Valerie about a more suitable name.

Update 2 March 2009...

Gloria fell asleep forever at 7pm on 27th February. She had been bravely fighting the illness with her usual strength and determination but last Friday her eyes told me that she knew it was hopeless and she was reluctantly ready to go. It had become difficult for her to walk, though her amazing courage was evident as she went out to greet visitors at lunchtime. I knew that it was time, so I rang and asked the vet to come. She did not resist as he gently injected her. It was a quiet dignified passing and she is now flying with the angels and cared for by hands other than mine. The pain at her loss is unbearable for me. She was more like a close friend and was involved in everything that happened here. She was brave, intelligent and compassionate with all the poorly dogs here - a true free spirit which was never broken even by the cruelty she suffered in Spain. It was such a privilege to have shared 3 years and 8 months in her company. Her absence is so difficult to cope with. Her image will be linked to Tailends forever and her spirit will remain an inspiration though her physical presence has gone. Gloria's story has spread to people all over the world and she has helped to publicise the plight of the thousands of galgos who suffer dreadful torments in Spain. Farewell my very special friend until we meet again. You always knew that you were loved so very much and will always be kept alive in our hearts here at Tailends.

Please read Gloria's story which is on the Gone But Never Forgotten Page of the website. Then do something to help the galgos - write a letter, send a donation to support those in Spain trying to rescue them, even offer a home to one of these special dogs if you can.

Update 26 February 2009...

EVE HITCHEN'S HALF MARATHON 22nd Feb 2009 - The best bit of a race for me is walking to the start. I am a new runner, and for years I couldn’t understand HOW to run. Of course when I tried it I realised it was easy and fun. And now at the start of races, as I wait with hundreds of others in their running gear I have to really restrain myself not to jump up and down yelling “Yes, yes, look at me, running with the big pros!!” Of course running races are a major way in which you can raise money for charity. This was only my second half marathon. The first one I did I ran for the Womens Refuge, but dogs are my passion, so this time I wanted to raise money for Tailends. Fortunately I work for the local council who have thousands of staff so I got a lot of support. The weather on Sunday was beautiful, and it was an absolute joy (initially!) to be running along Brighton seafront on a clear Sunday morning. There were nearly 5,000 entrants to this race, so the roads were closed off and the route was well marshalled. Thousands of people lined the route and cheered us on. I think my smile disappeared around mile 9, when I started to ache and my stomach was complaining and queasy from too much glucose drink. But I kept repeating to myself “£625” (the amount I had pledged in sponsorship) and blasting my ears with Pink to keep me going. The last mile (of course) felt like it would never end but I mustered all my strength and sprinted the last thirty seconds to the finish line. I think I finished about 4200th but I had done it and that was really all that mattered. I am so proud and happy to have been able to raise money for Tailends, and know that some lucky dogs who come into Angela’s care will now be able to receive much needed veterinary care and have a comfortable and happy time for the remainder of their lives. Well worth the aching legs! This was an amazing effort from our noble supporter, Eve Hitchens who has raised a remarkable amount for Tailends. We are very grateful to her and the money will be used to pay for veterinary treatment for our ailing hounds. Thank you so much Eve on behalf of all the dogs who will benefit from your tremendous achievement. Angela

Update 17 February 2009...

Gloria - my dear old spanish princess has been battling on with severe back problems for some considerable time. This has made her quite weak on her back legs but she has adapted with her usual determined spirit and settled into a less active routine. However she recently has become lame on her front right leg and has been diagnosed as suffering from a tumour on the elbow. Gloria is as bright and determined as ever and is trying her best to cope with life in spite of the obvious mobility problems. However I know that realistically this is one battle she cannot win. I am keeping her as pain free as possible with Previcox and Tramadol. She is eating very well and enjoying Suzie's delicious bacon topped treats which she makes specially for Gloria. She also sleeps well at night and only wakes when she needs to go out for a call of nature. I will not let my special girl suffer and it is only because I am able to be with her 24hrs a day that I can monitor her so closely and will hopefully make the decision at the right time for her. Life without her will be unthinkable but I will nevertheless do the right thing and I fear it will not be long.

Judy had been doing very well after her course of Hydrotherapy. She saw Simon last week and measurements were taken again of the muscle in her leg where she had a cruciate implant after arriving at Tailends. The muscle has increased by an amazing 9mm in just five weeks which is a real success story. This will extend her active life and also give her a better quality of life. She will continue to have one session of hydrotherapy per week. She loves going for the water treatment and enjoys the attention and choice of squeaky toys which she can play with as she walks on the treadmill with the water taking 80% of the weight off her.

Emma - she is such a sweet old girl who loves a cuddle and is no trouble to anyone. Somehow she has pulled ligaments in her front left leg and is having difficulty walking. The vet recommends complete rest so she will not be going far until healing has taken place. She only goes for a short walk twice a day normally and is always on the extending lead so I can only think the injury took place when she was running around in the garden. She is on anti-inflammatories though it will probably be a long time before she feels completely better. She will be going up to the vet for another thyroid blood test later this week.

Ben - is slowing down markedly now. He still has a good appetite but does not want to go far. The arthritis is quite severe and he just wants to sleep for long periods. He likes to potter around the garden and is not in any obvious pain - other than what we all suffer with achey old bones in our latter years. He is continually prone to infections due to the Cushings and is currently being treated with anti-biotics. I know my little boy will not be able to stay much longer. One day at a time - and when the time is right I will ask the vet to come to help him - but hopefully not for a little while.

Tailenders - I still have two prints left of the special Tailenders - drawn my Melanie Shepherd to raise funds for our dogs here now. Please let me know if you would like one asap.

SUSSEX RUN - Eve Hitchens will be competing in the Half Marathon at Brighton on Sunday February 22nd. She has made an amazing effort in getting sponsorship for this race to benefit Tailends so please go along and support her if you live in this area.

Wool - please have a look for odd balls of wool which Suzie could turn into dog coats. She needs plenty to make coats for the Garden Party at Stoke Bruerne and for K9Knitters. All money raised will benefit Tailends and other rescues helping dogs in need.

Update 13 February 2009...

Wool Needed - Suzie Scott is busy knitting coats to sell via K9Knitters to raise funds for several rescues including Tailends. If you have any wool which you do not need could you email Suzie as she would be very grateful. Please Do Not send any wool to Tailends. DK, Aran or chunky wool are the types needed for dog coats. One ball could make a coat for a small dog. If you would like to purchase a coat for your dog and in the process help rescue dogs (including Tailends) please contact K9Knitters.

Update 5 February 2009...

There will be a Greyhound Walk and Garden Party at Stoke Bruerne, Northants, on Sunday 31 May 2009 at 2.00 pm in aid of Northants Greyhound Rescue and Tailends. For further details visit the Events page.

Update 27 January 2009...

Chloe - went off to the vet on Monday 19th January for her treatment. She had 15 teeth removed including a number of surgical extractions and needed some stitches in her gums. She also had the eyelid adenoma removed from her right eye as it was scratching the cornea of the eye. Chloe was kept on a drip overnight as she went a bit flat during surgery but was fine the next day and came home to her own bed. Since then she has done remarkably well and is now eating and drinking normally. The urinary infection has cleared and she has nearly finished her course of antibiotics and anti-inflamatories. As I type this she is enjoying a potter around the garden in the winter sunshine.

Judy - has been experiencing the delights of the new hydrotherapy unit at the Roundswell hospital of Charter vet. She goes twice a week and is now up to two sessions of 8minutes on the underwater treadmill. This seems to be benefiting her as she is exercising much better and eating more. She had a cruciate ligament implant shortly after coming to Tailends but also has arthritis in her lower back. You will see from the photos that she enjoys these sessions and adores all the attention. She has asked that they add some nice thick mud to the water as she loves to lie in muddy puddles. However she will have to content herself with clean water in the tank.

Sweatshirts - we have a small number of sweatshirts in burgundy and black as well as the usual heather grey (all with the Tailends logo). They are available in medium, large, X large and 2X large. Please email regarding availability. Don't forget our nice warm cosy hats to keep out the cold during wintry dog walks. Have you ordered one of our eco-friendly shopping bags yet. They are large and very useful as they can fold away into a pocket or handbag when empty.

Limited Edition Prints - two have been sold already so if you would like one please email me asap. I am asking for offers over £15 to secure one of these lovely prints by Melanie Shepherd. Only three left.

Lizzie - is settling very well now and has become more relaxed with the other bitches. She was a little nervous at first - not surprising as Cindy can be a bit overwhelming especially first thing in the morning (I mean 5am!). She has recently been given a beautiful new fleecy lined coat by Rachel who ordered it to be made especially by the TRPD project. Do have a look at their site. They make the most lovely things for dogs and support smaller rescues all over the country. Why not take part in their regular quizzes to help your favourite rescue. Lizzie looks very smart in her posh new coat and it keeps her snug on these cold winter days.

Boris - has become quite a character. He really is very much like a naughty little boy who resembles Just William. He is always up to something and always wants to go somewhere he shouldn't go. If all else fails and he does not get his own way he will pull his nappy of and rip the inner pad to small pieces which he throws around the room. Lovely! I have never known an old dog with such a capacity for mischief. However he is enjoying himself in spite of his health issues. I do have to put my foot down quite often though or he would take over! Happily he is not in the least aggressive now and has completely adapted to living in a multi-dog household.

Ben - continues to amaze me. He is so frail and arthritic with the Cushings advancing through his system and failing kidneys - yet he goes out for (admittedly very limited) walks twice a day and enjoys his food, eating every scrap of his chicken which he loves. He sleeps well but has to go out for a wee 4 or 5 times a night which is a little wearing. He also drinks large quantities of water. In spite of everything he is still a happy little soldier who is determined to live on and enjoy every moment that is left to him.

Poppy - is really slowing down - but then she is now about thirteen. She still enjoys running free twice a day on the beach and dunes but feels the cold much more and likes her new blue coat with the lovely warm collar (made by Al of TRPD) which keeps her snug even when she is paddling in the sea. She has also found that it can double as a toboggan to slide down the sand slopes of the dunes on her back. Fortunately it is made of a hard wearing waterproof material and is none the worse for this treatment. Poppy tires much more quickly now and her arthritis is advancing despite the medications which she has. She is a crazy mixed up girl but enjoys her life to the full. She has to be carefully managed as she does not trust most people and is unpredictable with other dogs. However she is a real sweetheart and very sensitive.

Denise - has now permanently opted out of the beach walks. Her arthritis is the main reason for this. She likes to go to the fields and accompanies us over the dunes in the late afternoon. Sadly her days of racing around like a mad thing are now over - though I am probably a bit safer as a result!

Jack - continues to thrive here. It is almost a year since he arrived with his brother Freddie, who sadly had only a short time here before becoming too ill to stay. Jack loves his special sensitivity control food and has blossomed into a real character dog who knows instinctively what the time is and what should be happening - especially if it is dinner time or walk time. He is such an affectionate old lad who should never have been left in such bleak kennels for so many years. He likes nothing better than a cuddle and a head scratch. It makes him go all soppy.

Cindy - it is now nearly six months since Cindy had drastic emergency surgery to remove a large area of messy tumour and she was given only perhaps a couple of months to live. However she is enjoying herself to the full, leaping around like a mad dog when a walk is due, but sleeping soundly afterwards. It is so sad that she was deprived of any affection and kept outside with no stimulation or proper care by her last owner. She is such an affectionate girl and is always desperate for fuss and attention though she does nearly knock out poor long suffering postman over sometimes.

Update 20 January 2009...

Advice Needed - Melanie Shepherd has recently donated limited edition prints of her drawings of Tailends dogs. This is exclusive to Tailends and there are 5 prints numbered individually and signed and mounted. There is also a certificate to go with each one. The images are miniatures of five late Tailends residents but together come to a 11x14" size. Would anyone be able to suggest how we could sell or auction these prints to raise as much money as possible for Tailends dogs? The dogs shown are Amos, Holly, Ronnie, Dolly and Barney Rubble. Please email me if you have any suggestions or can help with this. Thank you.

Update 16 January 2009...

Chloe - This poor little girl was picked up by the dog warden after being abandoned to fend for herself although she has virtually no sight - just limited light and dark. She must have been terrified. She was fostered initially by a kind couple in Lincolnshire and then was brought down to Tailends on Sunday 11th January 2009. I would like to thank everyone involved in bringing her here including Wendy and Jan & Graham. Chloe is a small Jack Russell with no tail as it has been docked so close to her body that there is nothing left. Her mouth is in an appalling state and she needs a week on antibiotics to settle the infection before having the drastic dental, which is essential. This will be done on Monday next week. A growth on her eye which is scratching the cornea is to be removed at the same time. A urine test showed that she also has a urinary infection that hopefully will be sorted out with the antibiotic course. She has been a bit incontinent but again I think this will improve with treatment. Blood tests have revealed early kidney failure so she will be put on a low fat renal diet. Chloe is a happy little girl and enjoys pottering around the garden and then curling up in her warm bed kindly supplied by Martin and Carole. I think she is at least fifteen years old but is not ready to give up on life yet. I am optimistic that she will have some happy months at Tailends after being so cruelly abandoned to her fate in this very cold winter. Chloe will not be put on the sponsor scheme at this time but donations towards her care are always welcome.

Update 9 January 2009...

Urgent - a dog pound in the Essex area is desperately in need of warm blankets, duvets, large towels, coats of all sizes, snoods or anything to help keep the dogs warm and dry in this bitter weather. Please help if you possibly can and you live in this area. They also have many young dogs - especially bull breeds, jack russells, german shepherds etc., in need of safe loving homes if you have any space. Ring Teresa now on 07860 288643 OR 01277 824107 If you live further away please find out if your local dog pound is in need of anything which you can spare to help them. Some of these dogs may not have long to live - they are the innocent victims of the massive dog over population problem in this country - but it is so important to make them comfortable and keep them warm while they are kept in the pounds. PLEASE - DON'T BREED OR BUY WHILE RESCUE DOGS DIE!

Update 4 January 2009...

Sponsored Half Marathon - Eve Hitchens has kindly offered to run the Sussex Beacon Half Marathon on behalf of Tailends this year. Here is a photo of her running in last year’s race. The event is organised by the Sussex Beacon, but competitors can run for any charity they wish. Up to 4,800 runners take part each year, and the route takes them along the seafront and around the Marina. Last year she completed the route in 2 hours and 15 mins. Eve has been running for a couple of years, and lives in Brighton with her 2 elderly staffies who she loves to bits. She currently works as a housing officer, though in the past she has worked at rescue kennels both here and in the USA. If anyone has any questions about the race (or would like to join her!) she is happy for you to email her. Click here to download a sponsor form.

Rosie - Tailends does in certain rare circumstances agree to help out with the cost of keeping a dog in a foster home. This is not something we do often as our resources are obviously quite limited. However we did agree for Rosie to come under our "wing" and I am sure you will agree that she looks so happy in her home that it is best for her to remain in foster rather than make the long sea crossing from Ireland. Tailends was asked to take Rosie as she is an elderly greyhound girl with a heart condition requiring life-long medication. She was fostered initially while awaiting transport to be arranged to Tailends from where she is in Ireland. When I saw the photos of her in this lovely home I asked if there was any possibility of her remaining there permanently and I subsequently agreed to pay for Rosie's care. I also took into consideration the cost of paying for someone to make the ferry crossing to get her and the cost involved in caring for her here. It made sense for her to stay with her excellent foster mum, Julie, who is also a friend of Mary Jane at Orchard Rescue.

Judy has always had problems with her mobility in spite of the cruciate ligament implant which she had soon after coming there. However our veterinary group has recently opened an aqua therapy unit where dogs can benefit from swimming and using muscles which would not normally get used or would be difficult to use in normal walking. Judy starts her course on Monday 5th January and I will post news on how she gets on. (Hopefully with a photo or two.)

Secret Santas - Thank you so much to everybody who sent such wonderful gifts for the dogs at Christmas. Every dog had their own parcel to open and they were so excited. Toys, treats, towels, blankets, indoor and outdoor coats, special foods etc. People have been so generous. I have tried to thank everyone personally but if somehow you did not get a personal thank you it will be because I had no address. However all the dogs would like to say how happy they were with the gifts and I appreciate how much thought went into choosing or making them. Could I here say a particular thank you to the TRPD project and Al for all her hard work in putting the parcels together and for the things she also made - like the waterproof covers for Boris' bed. We are all very very grateful.

Help Needed with a stall in Essex - The magnificent WHAM show will take place on 27th September at Hylands Park in Essex. If you live nearby and could run the Tailends stall for us could you let me know. This is a very friendly dog show which brings in much needed funding for small animal charities. There is a great atmosphere and anyone involved will not fail to enjoy the day. The organisers put in a lot of hard work to make the show a success. Have a look at the WHAM website to see details and photos of last years show.

Please note: All previous news items, are to be found on the Archive pages.