Archived Documents 4th Quarter 2008

Update 21 December 2008...

I would like to thank everyone who has helped Tailends in any way this year and particularly the wonderful gifts which have been sent to give the dogs some extra treats at Christmas as well as helping with their general care. I have written to thank everyone personally but a few people did not send an address so maybe I could thank them now for their kindness and generosity to these old dogs. Your thoughtfulness really helps to repair the damage which has been inflicted by humans who lack your compassion and neither know nor care about the suffering of other creatures with which we share our lives. I would particularly like to thank Judy Zatonski for all she has done to help us over the last three years and more. She has been the rock on which all the work done here is based. Judy has created and run the excellent sponsorship scheme which has now grown into an important source of funding for us. She has also helped us in so many other ways - giving us a digital camera, purchasing supplies of the pens and bags which we are able to sell to raise money. She has done so much to help that I cannot list everything here. However Judy now feels the need for a well earned rest and is standing down from running the sponsorship scheme next year (by September). She will still help us in other ways - making cards, the Tailends calendar etc. We have already had an offer to help with the sponsor scheme but if anyone else could help in any way please contact us after Christmas. I would also like to thank another very special person without whom we would be unable to continue helping so many dogs. Dave Lee set up and runs this brilliant website totally free of charge. It is updated regularly and brings interest in our work throughout the country and even abroad. Thank you so much Dave. Please be aware what a debt of gratitude we owe to you.

I would like to wish all Tailends supporters, friends and their companions a very happy and peaceful Christmas and let us all hope for genuine improvements in animal welfare and a reduction in the suffering of all sentient creatures in 2009. I also personally hope for more progress towards an end to all greyhound racing and the particular abuse and suffering which this breed endures as a result of the numbers of dogs bred and then discarded at all stages of life.

Mollie - is doing well with her weight reduction programme and is enjoying life to the full. She is going for a routine glucose curve at the vet tomorrow but her diabetes seems to be very stable and there are no apparent problems.

Emma - is becoming quite confused but is nonetheless very happy and seems to be healthy and content. She has been on a raised dose of thyroid treatment for the last month and had another blood test last week from which we await the results.

Ben - continues to be a happy little soldier coping well with the Cushings disease and all the other problems he has. He is eating well but his arthritis is worsening so his knees give way quite a bit so he does not go far these days.

Gloria - also continues to fight her back and joint problems and manages a little stroll most days if the weather is fine. She hates rain so does not go out on wet days! She is being helped by a new supplement called Litozin, which I can thoroughly recommend, though it is a bit pricey. It can be obtained more cheaply by checking out different suppliers on the internet.

Lizzie - is doing well. She still exhibits nervousness in the presence of other bitches but loves Wilfred who is her special friend. She loves her food and gets very excited when walks are due. I am hoping she will be able to go off lead in a few months but is happy with the extending lead on the beach for now.

Cindy - is still very excitable at times but sleeps for long periods. Her cancer seems to be stable but she needs continual monitoring. Cindy's cruel past has left invisible scars but she is gradually learning to trust and relax more. It is taking time for her to adjust to living in a multi-dog household but she is making significant improvements and is really a very sweet girl.

Tweenie - is now showing signs of her great age and sleeps for much longer at a time. She even slept through the time my dog sitter was present last week instead of pestering her for cuddles the whole time.

Important Notice...

There are two important notices, which we would like to bring to your attention...

We are pleased to announce that the recent issues with PayPal appear to have been resolved satisfactorily and so we have reinstated this facility. Thanks for your patience and understanding over this annoying problem, one which we could well have done without!

Judy has been inundated with last minute requests for sponsorships as Christmas gifts. We did have a cut off date of December 10th for these to be done and we will not now be able to guarantee that any further sponsorship gifts will arrive in time for Christmas. We do however appreciate your support.

Update 1 December 2008...

Boris - poor old Boris has been suffering from his recurring prostate infection again recently. He had been on a course of antibiotics, but there was no improvement so he went to the vet for several tests recently (24th Nov). Two masses were checked by fine needle aspirate and happily were just fatty lumps. However his urine contained red blood cells and also leucocytes indicating that the infection was still present. The vet has warned me that because the original infection was left untreated for a very long time, it is unlikely to ever be totally cleared up. There will always remain pockets of infection within the prostate which could flare up regularly. Boris is now on a course of Baytril for two weeks. The blood profile revealed high levels of creatin and urea, indicating kidney failure. Boris is now on special Renal support diet food. There is little in the way of medication to treat kidney failure, only diet. Boris is a happy lad. He is now a little overweight so I hope the special diet will also help to control this. Boris is a happy lad who has settled very well now. He found it difficult at first as he was obviously not used to so many other dogs around him, but he is now fine and is friends with all the hounds. He is not too keen on Ben or Tweenie but this is not a problem as they are both so elderly that they sleep most of the day, apart from walks and feeding times. Boris would not fight, but shouts at them when he sees them, which can be a bit hard on the ears. He is blissfully unaware - as Boris is totally deaf!

Lizzie - has settled at Tailends very well. She was a bit shy at first and tended to be a bit clingy with me, following me around and waiting outside the door when I was in the bathroom. However she has made great friends with Wilfred and she will often go up to him and plant a big kiss on his face! Lizzie gets very excited at the sight of the local wildlife. She shrieks in glee when she spies rabbits, foxes and yelled her head off when she saw a badger yesterday.

Denise - continues to slow down and often opts out of her walks if it is cold or wet. (Do not blame her!!!) She has been a little poorly and off her food for a few days but is now fully recovered. She loves to lie upside down on the sofa with her mouth open and a silly expression on her face.

Gloria again gave me cause for concern recently when she was suffering from the tummy bug which has swept through the local area keeping the vets busy. However she is now back to normal and exercising her authority as Dowager Princess. She has her lovely warm dressing gown on most of the time especially during this current cold spell. Gloria does like to be wrapped up in the best quality blankets and expects to be waited on hand and foot. She is still enjoying her ice cream twice a day with her tablets discreetly hidden inside. She is hoping Santa will send her a warm scarf which will be appropriate for a person of her high social standing to wear.

Ben soldiers on bravely in spite of all his many health issues. He is happy and loves to cuddle down at night next to my bed and with the occasional tummy tickle just for reassurance. He loves his duvet and only wakes when he needs to have a drink or pop outside for a call of nature. I know his time on this earth is gradually coming to an end but for now he is happy, much loved and pain free. He still goes for two short rambles on the footpath every day and then back to bed.

Jack - also experienced the tummy bug which is affecting so many dogs in the area. He had terrible diarrhoea and became dehydrated. I syringed Lectade into his mouth but it was insufficient for such a large dog in this condition so he was put on a drip for 24hrs which worked wonders and he returned home completely recovered and is now back to normal I am happy and relieved to write. Jack had such a terrible past - living in a barren kennel in solitary confinement - not even being able to see outside. The boredom must have been terrible. The only highlight was when he was taken outside occasionally and he could meet his brother for a few minutes. He certainly deserves his retirement and every luxury I can give him.

Update 18 November 2008...

Drawings of Your Companion Animals - Melanie Shepherd always does a beautiful drawing of a Tailender when they have passed away. This makes a lovely memory of beloved friends who we can see no more. She only needs a photograph and will create a drawing, which will be treasured. If you would like Mel to draw one of your animals, do email her and she will give you details. Melanie Shepherd's email address is - k9mel@hotmail.com

Melanie will give 10% to Tailends if anyone ordering a drawing from her mentions 'Tailends'.

We now have miniatures of Arwen, which Melanie has donated for us to sell. Please email Tailends if you would like one, giving your full address to send to.

Update 11 November 2008...

Lizzie arrived at Tailends on Wednesday 5th November. She is a sweet 10 year old black greyhound who was living in kennels near London run by our good friend Denise. Lizzie had been in three homes but each time was returned through no fault of her own. No further offers of a home had been made in the last two years so she remained in the kennels and was known as the saddest dog there as she had had short experiences of home comforts and then had them cruelly snatched away. There was little chance that she would find a home now in view of her age and the fact that she is suffering from kidney failure. This means that she needs a special diet food and the cost of this could also deter anyone from offering her a home. She is a delightful girl who is very eager to please. She was accepted immediately by the other Tailenders and within a very short time was completely at home here. Lizzie will not be put on the sponsor list straight away but donations towards her support will be gratefully received. I will keep everyone informed of her progress through this page.

We do have a few calendars left but they are quickly being ordered. Please let me know asap if you would like one. They are £7 each including postage and packing. Tailends christmas cards have also been popular. There is no limit on these so please get your orders to me s soon as you can. Packs of 4 small cards are £1.25 and the larger A5 cards featuring all the Tailends dogs in colour are 50 pence each. We also have Tailends pens, car stickers, fleecy hats and will soon have tote bags for your shopping (thanks to the kindness of Judy in ordering these for us to sell) . Details of the bags later but they will be a neutral colour and have the Tailends logo in blue and white. See our Merchandise Page for more ideas for stocking fillers.

Gloria - is doing amazingly well and I am very pleased at how she is coping with her more limited mobility. She goes for little walks along the footpath to the fields when the sun is shining but if it is wet or gloomy she just potters in the garden. She is eating very well and sleeps through the night - unlike a number of our residents who need to go out several times during the night. She is still my most superior senior citizen!

Ben - is also doing very well. He is so frail now but also eats all his meals and enjoys two little walks each day. He is content to sleep for long periods in my office where he has his nice cosy bed and will not be disturbed.

I am asking for understanding regarding emails and phone calls at the present time. I will do my best to reply to everyone asap and endeavour to ensure that all is as normal as possible. I am having to spend some time arranging matters following a family crisis but I will not let this affect my work in any way. I just ask for a little patience at certain times if there is a delay in my response. Please state if the matter is urgent and I will get back to you straight away and help in any way I can. Thank you so much. Remember the dogs always come first.

Update 31 October 2008...

Ben - went to the vet last week to have a general check. He has recently lost more hair on his back and I am treating it daily with Fuciderm gel. Alison confirmed that there is nothing more that can be done for him as this is just a symptom of his untreated Cushing's disease. (The treatment is a very strong drug - vetoryl - which made Ben very ill and affected his kidney failure detrimentally.) He went for a dental on 23rd October after pre op bloods showed nothing to prevent him having an anaesthetic. He is now totally recovered and eating well. His knees are very arthritic and he stumbles occasionally on his little walks but he enjoys himself and sleeps well. Ben likes his own space and spends a lot of his time in my office curled up on his bed. He does sometimes like to come out and meet visitors if he is not too tired. Ben has been here for 2 yrs now and is a very old man. I can just hope that he has a little more time to enjoy his retirement.

Jack - has been a little confused lately. He can become quite aggressive to other dogs when he meets any over the fields. He cannot do any harm as he has few teeth and falls over easily if excited. I had him checked over but I think he is just going a bit senile. He had such a sterile environment in the kennels that I would not be surprised if it has affected his brain in some way. He had no mental stimulation and could not even see out of his kennel and watch the outside world. He seems in fairly good health and is eating well. Jack is such a dear old boy. It makes me so sad/angry to think of how he lived all those years.

Gloria - is doing very well in spite of her serious spinal problems. I know her days are very limited now - but I don't think she has any idea of leaving me just yet. She still tucks into her ice cream containing her tablets twice a day and on nice days she even asks to go out into the lane. Last Friday she got as far as the field where she met a few people she knew and "ran" over to them for a bit of fuss. She has a choice of dressing gowns to wear when it is chilly so if she goes out and gets a bit wet she can change straight away. She does tend to shout a lot to get my attention if I am too slow attending to her needs. I think there is plenty of life in our elderly obstinate princess yet a while.

Christmas Cards - Thanks to the kindness of Jean and David bringing a guillotine and Judy helping me with the layout I can now produce the Tailends Christmas cards. There is a small one with the two dogs who shaped our logo (Bluebell and Barney Rubble), and a larger one with the Tailends Dogs on. The smaller ones are £1.25 for a pack of 4 and the larger ones are 50p each. The calendars have been very popular so if you have asked about them could you get in touch as soon as possible, before they all go. Thank you.

Cindy - has now been added to the sponsor dogs. Please let me or Judy know if you would like to sponsor her. I am presently awaiting news of two greyhounds who may be needing to come here. I will give more information when available but I may need someone to volunteer to go over to Ireland on the ferry to collect one. Tailends will pay the ferry and petrol expenses of course. Please let me know if you may be available to do this. It is very tiring and a long drive - so be prepared. If you have not received an Autumn newsletter and would like one, then please leave a message on the Tailends answer phone and I will send you one. Please give your address slowly and clearly. Thanks.

Update 25 October 2008...

It is with a very heavy heart that I have to tell you that my dear sweet Arwen died on Tuesday morning of 21st October 2008. She had less than five months at Tailends, but in that time she became a much loved member of our extended family. She arrived a terrified traumatised girl, who did not even want to come indoors - such was her fear. However, in a short time she was confident and enjoying her freedom off lead on the beach every day. Her death was a terrible shock as it was totally unexpected. Her coat was shiny and she seemed in such excellent condition after a few months of good food, veterinary attention, and lots of love. Just a week ago I would have said she was the fittest dog here - but I was so wrong! Last weekend she started to take longer eating her food than usual and bits were dropping on the floor. She had a full dental in mid August but I knew tartar was building up again despite the daily application of dental gel.

I booked her into the vet on Tuesday morning for a check and Alison found a tumour at the back of her mouth. We all hoped that it could be removed by surgery but when she was able to look more closely, it was apparent that the tumour was extremely aggressive and had spread into the tonsils and further back.

There was nothing to be done to help her. Alison said that she would suffer terrible pain if she went home and it was agreed that the kindest thing would be to let her go quietly under the anaesthetic. It was horrible for me as I had not even had a chance to say goodbye to my dear Arwen. I am still in shock as I write this. I had just got the winter coats out and of course Arwen was going to have Amos' lovely coat and his jumper for cold days which he was given last Christmas. It is a cruel irony that Amos died of mouth cancer too. They never met in life but were so similar and both very intelligent special people. They will live in my heart forever.

I am so sorry you did not have longer. Your life was snatched away just when you were having such a lovely time at last. One day we will understand why these terrible things have to happen but right now it just seems so very hard to bear. Howard came just five days after you and he could not stay long as he was so ill. Now you are all restored to health and run free somewhere out of my sight. Until we meet again I have my memories of you.

Update 20 October 2008...

Newsletter - The Autumn newsletter has now been sent out so if anyone would like one please let me know. It will not be posted on the website due to its size.

Shorter Days - This time of year I am under great pressure due to the lack of daylight hours. The first walk cannot begin until nearly 7:00 am so I have less and less time to do the routine chores. I am having to keep admin. tasks to a minimum at the moment. There is only me to care for the dogs, deal with the general administration, keep the accounts etc. I do hope people will understand that I do my best to answer all correspondence, emails etc within 24 hours though phone calls will have to be kept to a minimum. I know you will understand the demands on my time and that the needs of the dogs have to come first, while at the same time everyone who helps in any way is always thanked personally. The dogs need more care than the average healthy companion, especially with Boris being incontinent and a number of the dogs needing to go out several times during the night - not usually together unfortunately. Most weeks also involve two or three visits to the vet. I hope nobody will be offended if letters, emails and calls are kept as short as possible as I am often struggling to fit everything in during the day, especially when suffering from lack of sleep. I will always make time for an emergency so please do not let this stop you calling if I can help with a crisis regarding an old dog. Thank you for your patience.

Calendars and Christmas Cards. I would be grateful if anyone wanting cards, or who has asked about calendars could let me have their requests asap. I only have a very limited supply of calendars now and do not want to disappoint anyone. Cards are £1.50 for pack of 4 or 50p each for the A5 size featuring the Tailends dogs. I am printing some of them here so hope you will be happy with them.

Gloria - My dear old princess continues to deteriorate and only goes for a very short walk - and not every day now. She is eating well and still runs out into the garden to see what is going on if she hears the dustmen or delivery driver. Her back is troubling her and I have increased her pain relief. I know in my heart that the time is not far off when I will lose her presence here and I do not know how I will cope without my special girl. She has helped me with all the others over the last three years and now needs help herself. She has a large tub of vanilla ice cream every week and happily swallows her tablets hidden inside her favourite food! Her legs are not working well but instead she uses her loud voice to demand attention which of course she always gets. She was very annoyed when taken to the vet for a check last week and complained furiously at the indignity of going to a place where all the "common" dogs go. She has asked if she can have BUPA and have her own suite next time! (I humour her.)

Cindy - The news is excellent on Cindy - at least for the present. She saw our vet last week and Alison was very pleased with her condition. The cancer shows no sign of advancing at the moment and her recent surgery was a great success. The long incision has healed beautifully. Cindy has also put on more weight and is happy and lively enjoying her walks on the beach each morning.

Boris - It does not seem likely that Boris' incontinence will improve. His bladder and prostate are too badly damaged through lack of treatment earlier in his life. It is hard work keeping him clean even with the nappies as they have to be changed frequently as he is still a very active lad and potters in and out even after going to the beach. Another urine specimen still showed the presence of blood and bacteria though it was much improved on the last one. Thank you to everyone who has sent garlic, cranberry and other items to help him especially Pat Powell and Annie Aitken. He is a happy lad and always has a huge grin on his face. I do not think he has ever had so much fun and attention in his life.

Update 3 October 2008...

Pants for Boris - a very kind lady visited Tailends a few months ago to bring some incontinence pants and inserts for use with dogs who have bladder problems. I was very stupid and did not make a note of the lady's name but hope she may see this on the website and forgive my poor memory. I am using the pants for Boris but need to order some more of the disposable pads. There is no make on the pants and I think they may have been purchased from abroad. I would be very grateful for any information on the supplier so that I can order future supplies. Boris's urine has improved greatly but there is still some blood etc. present so he will have a further course of Baytril antibiotics. My vet is sure that his prostate and bladder have been damaged by an infection which he has probably had for years and which was never treated. It is unlikely that he will ever be cured of the incontinence, but we will continue to try everything, including herbal remedies, cranberry and propalin. Ben had a similar problem and was eventually cured, though Boris may be different. Thank you to everybody who is helping, including Annie Aitkin from Jersey, who has also sent him some crystals which he is happily wearing on his collar.

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