Clegg - Tailends 10.02.07 - 27.11.07

Clegg - We heard about this old greyhound boy early in February. He was initially admitted into rescue last June from a dog pound in North Staffs. We understand that he had been in several foster homes and was returned through no fault of his own. He was brought back to kennels from his last foster home in February 2007. Clegg was a 13yr old large white and tan lad who had never been in a home until he came into rescue. We have been told that he was used for racing in his younger days and then for rabbitting. Thankfully he would no longer be used by humans for their dubious pleasures, and his welfare would be the only consideration. He was painfully thin (weighing just 29 kilos when he should be nearer to 38kilos at his size) and very weak especially in his hind legs. His general condition was quite poor. He enjoyed his walks and meals, and we hoped he would soon gain strength and put on weight. He was very sweet and loved the company of the other dogs at Tailends.

I took Clegg to the vet on Monday 12th February for a thorough check-up to find out how best I could help him. He needed a dental and there was a lump on his back which needed to be removed but we decided to leave this for a week or two to give him a chance to settle in first.

He loved his food and never left anything in his bowl so hopefully he would soon put on weight and become stronger with regular walks to the beach and fields. Every morning he went for a leisurely stroll along the footpath and saw some rabbits which absolutely fascinated him. He loved the other dogs here and liked to go for walks with his friend Lucas or little Bluebell. Sometimes he went down to the lakes to see the ducks and look for frogspawn. I saw a real improvement in just a few days so I was optimistic for Clegg and hoped that he would be able to enjoy his life here for many months to come. It was very sad that Clegg did not find a permanent loving home a long time ago. He was such a super friendly old chap and had been moved from pillar to post so many times he probably wondered when he would have to move again. I wish I could have made him understand that he was here for the rest of his life, during which time he was loved and cared for to the highest possible standards.

Cleggie went to the vet on March 8th 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 had 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 could do but give him strong pain relief and ensure he only went for shorter walks. The good news was that he had put on over two kilograms in weight since he came here so his ribs soon disappeared from sight! Cleggie enjoyed a good supper after his surgery and was doing very well until very recently when his mobility deteriorated. However he was still bright eyed and always eager to go for a ride in the car when someone was going to the vet.

It is with much sadness that we have to write to tell you that our dear old Cleggie left this world at 11am on Tuesday 27th November. His mobility had been deteriorating for some weeks but he continued to enjoy life and was always eager to go for a ride in the car whenever anyone went up to the vet. He loved any outings. His eyes were always bright and Cleggie was so full of life and energy though his poor old body was becoming worn out as a result of serious injuries in his past. On Monday I saw a change in Cleggie. His eyes seemed to be telling me that he knew he was coming to the end. He was not in pain and we kept him comfortable on Previcox and Tramadol along with vitamin and glucosamine supplements. He was still enjoying his food but I knew there was a change in him and I would soon have to make a decision to help him. On Tuesday morning I knew the time had come so I rang my vet to come out and within an hour they arrived. Clegg had his favourite breakfast before they came and ate every scrap of his sausages, roast lamb and scrambled eggs. He did not suffer but had just come to the point where life was a burden and his body was totally worn out with legs and back which did not work anymore. He lay on his comfy memory bed in the morning sunshine of the conservatory, wrapped in a fleecy blanket with his head on a favourite cushion as the needle entered his vein. He slipped away silently and peacefully with no fuss or worry. He just left us quietly as I gave him a last cuddle. Farewell my dear old Cleggie. It was such a privilege to share your last nine months with you and we will never forget you. Go now to join the other spirits running free and happy, joining us unseen as we walk the dunes and beach nearby.