Cindy - Arrived @ Tailends 16.07.09)

Cindy is a grey brindle rough coated lurcher aged 12 years who arrived here on Wednesday 16th July. She was extremely thin and her coat was in a very poor state. Her owner apparently took her to the kennels in Anglesey and literally threw her out of the car along with a bag of food which was covered in mould. The poor girl was kept outside and not allowed in the house. She was very excited on arrival and jumped around like a puppy. She is very biddable and is now learning to fit in more calmly with the Tailends' routines. She loves the walks on the beach and the comforts of a nice soft bed to lie on. She seemed to have a urinary problem but was clean in the house. Her tummy also seemed to be affected by a possible infection. She may be spayed as soon as she has settled in a bit more and we will get two mammary lumps removed as well if the vet thinks it advisable. Poor Cindy has obviously had a miserable life but that will all change now.

I would like to thank everyone involved with the rescue of Cindy including Jill Owen in Anglesey and Jeanette at the kennels. Also a big thank you goes to the noble people who gave up their time on Wednesday to transport Cindy to us. Denese spent hours sorting out the logistics of the run and we are very grateful for her help. Also thanks go to Olga, Jenny and especially to Ronnie Callegari for again coming to the rescue of another poor old dog. Ronnie drove all the way from his home in Cornwall to Cardiff to collect her from the last driver and then brought her back to Tailends. It was a very difficult day but we all got there in the end and I am so grateful to everyone. Cindy would thank you all if she could.

Cindy could not be spayed as she came into season the day of her visit to the vet. Happily the x-rays showed that her lungs were clear. I have decided not to have surgery done in view of her age and the fact that she would need quite a drastic procedure. She is fine and active and enjoying her life here. She gets on with everyone and is eager to please. Cindy is learning all about living indoors with our little community. She is putting on weight and her bones are now covered and not so visible as before. Her coat is clean and soft after her bath and of course she smells a bit fresher! I will of course continue to monitor her condition and make a decision in November as to whether to have her spayed or continue with the injections instead.

We had to rush Cindy to the vet early on August 20th when the very big mammary lump started to bleed and become nasty. The vet had already warned that it was malignant when she arrived a month ago but there was no way of telling how long it would be stable. Now she had two choices. Either put Cindy to sleep today or operate to remove this huge tumour. This would hopefully give her a few months of normal good quality life. She has previously been kept outside and had a poor quality of life but since being here she has been a lively bouncy fun loving affectionate girl. The operation is a risk but her chest was clear on X-ray and her heart and general health is good. She has put on 2kg in her first month here. Cindy has been so well and full of beans that I had no idea that this would happen so quickly.

Cindy had surgery to remove a massive tumour which had grown very rapidly and was seeping fluid. The vet also removed another tumour in the same area. She is doing very well and the stitches will be removed early next week. It is a very long wound and she has been confined to the garden for exercise while it is healing to avoid damage through excessive movement of her hind legs. Cindy is still very cheerful and happy and eating well. I know that there are other tumours and that the cancer will eventually spread, but at present it has not reached her lungs and is not causing her any distress or preventing her from having a good quality of life. Once the stitches are removed I hope she will be able to resume her walks on the beach each morning. I will endeavour to ensure that her remaining months are full of fun, tasty meals and plenty of home comforts. She certainly deserves this time. Thank you to the kind people who have sent donations to help with Cindy's care. She sends everyone a big hug and sloppy kiss. (Anyone who has met her will confirm this.)