Freddie - Tailends 10.02.08 -  19.03.08

Freddie arrived at Tailends with his brother Jack on Sunday 10th February.  He was a 12 yr old fawn greyhound with severe arthritis and nerve damage within his back.  His hind legs were very weak and wobbly.  Blood tests showed that he had early kidney failure but nothing to worry about yet.  Freddie was born in a Lancashire racing kennel where he has lived his entire life.  He has never had the chance of a home or had any comfort or even received veterinary care or pain relief.  There is no record of him ever racing.  He badly needed a dental and received treatment for ear mites in both ears which have become infected as he has probably had them for some time.  Freddie was very affectionate but bewildered by all his new surroundings.  He spent hours just looking at everything.  He loved his walks though they were quite limited by his impaired mobility.  We hoped that with the anti-inflamatories he should show some improvement in time.  He enjoyed his food and slept well at night on his memory foam bed.  This dog had received little mental stimulation but here he had plenty to occupy his days.  Freddie had a dental on 26th February to clean up his mouth and extract a number of rotten teeth.  He made an excellent recovery and was soon enjoying his walks again.

It is with a very heavy heart that I have to tell you of the tragic death yesterday of our dear Freddie.  He had been here just 38 days, having arrived on February 10th with his brother Jack.

Freddie had been doing so well and I had no idea of what was to happen.  He was eating very well and although his back legs were very wobbly, he still managed to potter along the footpath with his brother to watch the rabbits playing in the fields. He was fascinated with everything he saw here after long years of misery in a solitary kennel with no stimulation or walks.  He only saw his brother during the short periods when he was let into a paddock area while the kennels were cleaned etc.  He so desperately deserved some joy and comfort and was such an affectionate boy.

On Monday 17th March Freddie started to sway precariously and behaved as if he was "drunk".  He seemed otherwise alright and not in pain so I initially hoped he would make a quick recovery but then he collapsed and was unable to get up.  We carried him to the car and drove to the veterinary hospital where he was given a blood test and examined prior to being admitted and put on a drip.  It was initially thought that he had suffered a spinal embolism, from which he would hopefully start to recover after a couple of days.

However on the morning of 19th March I received a call from Simon, the Head vet at the hospital to say that he had examined Freddie  thoroughly that morning and he was showing all the signs of having a brain tumour.  He said that we should not let him go on as he was in a bad way and there was now no hope of recovery.   So Jack and I set off for the hospital to say our final goodbye to his brother.  We spent a few minutes alone with Freddie and he raised his head a little to look at us so he knew that we were there.  Jack adored his brother and it was so very sad for both of us.  I felt it important that Jack should see his brother one last time to perhaps understand a little about what was happening so he would not be waiting for him to come home.  Freddie did not suffer at all and just fell asleep quietly and without any fuss.  I told Jack we would see him again one day and Freddie would be well then and be able to play with him.  Jack is very sad and does not want to eat but he is getting lots of cuddles and hopefully given time he will learn to cope without his companion.

Life is so cruel to these dogs.  Freddie had everything snatched away just when he was able to enjoy his life.  His name will be added to the millions of creatures who have suffered because of the stupidity, ignorance or cruelty of humans.  When will our species accept responsibility for the misery we inflict on those animals we use and abuse.  Freddie should have had a right to live out his life with proper health care, comfort and with proper stimulation appropriate for his breed.  It is those that breed these dogs who should be made accountable for their future welfare.