Hazel

Hazel arrived at Tailends in August 2006. She was very ill and had to be rushed to the vet for treatment. I could tell immediately that she was probably in pain - which was confirmed when she was examined by my vet. Her mouth was also very infected and she looked so pathetic it moved me to tears.

She had a number of red bald areas on her body and was very thin. My veterinary surgeon examined her and did some blood tests which showed that she had acute Pancreatitis. The test results were so high that they were off the scale and they had to be repeated with diluted samples which again were at the highest level of the equipment. The symptoms of this disease are inability to eat and acute pain.

Hazel was treated at the veterinary hospital and immediately put on a drip as she was too ill to have the anaesthetic necessary to deal with her mouth. My vet said she has the worst mouth she has ever seen - and would probably need to have all her teeth removed! The stench from her mouth was indescribable. We did not know if Hazel would survive - we could only pray that she would have enough strength to fight and win her battle against this disease. I could not wait to have her home and give her all the loving care which she so deserved. I had to face the fact that she might never come home and it was breaking my heart. All I could do was wait and trust the veterinary hospital to give her the treatment she needed.

It is tragic that these dogs have to pay such a high price so that humans can indulge their desire to watch them race and gamble on the outcome. Surely people could enjoy their leisure time without involving defenceless creatures like Hazel and the thousands like her whose suffering is never heard about.

The following week Hazel recovered enough to have her mouth dealt with. She needed to have 26 teeth removed and the next day she was allowed to come home. She was still quite poorly but managed a little walk once a day, just along the footpath to see the rabbits. She became tired very quickly and slept most of the time. She was spotlessly clean and always went out into the garden when the need arose.

Hazel was examined by our vet the following week to decide on future treatment and medication. She was, however, gradually losing that look of despair and learning that life can be a good experience, if only her health would improve.

On 7th October Hazel was still not making the progress which I had hoped for. She was still very lethargic and although she went out for a walk each day, she was reluctant to go far and was always glad to be back home. She loved her food, which I took as a positive sign. I felt that she may have had some sort of brain damage as she was very disorientated and confused. She behaved almost as if she could not see properly, though the vet did check her sight and it appeared to be fine. Hazel was a very loving sweet girl and appreciated the comfort which we could give her. I can only hope that given enough time she will improve in health and also gain some confidence. Hopefully then she will be able to enjoy her life to the full.

On Wednesday 11th October, Hazel became ill and I had to rush her to the vet as she worsened. Her temperature was 104.5 and she was a very ill girl. I was terrified she would not survive the night. She was put on a drip and given antibiotics and morphine. The vet rang to say that blood tests had shown nothing significant which could account for her condition. She had been eating well and on Tuesday she went out for a little walk in the afternoon and seemed to enjoy the sunny afternoon. She had to be carried from the car into the vet on Wednesday evening and she really looked very sick. I had a call early Thursday morning from the vet to say that Hazel had suffered several fits during the night and was desperately ill. He said it was very likely a brain tumour (on top of her existing health problems). I had always thought something else was going on but without an MRI scan it would have been impossible to make a diagnosis.

When I got to the hospital she was lying on the table in the x ray room wrapped up and with her head on a fleece - but she was so bad. She had been given drugs to prevent any suffering but her breathing was very noisy and laboured.

However when I talked to her and stroked her she calmed down and let go - sinking into a calmer quieter sleep. Then the vet just helped her leave her diseased body behind. I am heart-broken as you can imagine. I cannot bear it that she had to die without recovering enough to enjoy some life here. It is so cruel. She had just 7 short weeks at Tailends, and all the loving care and intensive veterinary treatment had not been successful in making her well.

She now comes with me in spirit as I walk the other dogs through the dunes. Maybe in some way she is now free to enjoy everything which was denied to her here on earth. She was a sweet loving girl who appreciated all I did for her, though in the end I could not give her what she really needed - the health to enjoy what time she had left.

Dear Hazel - I will never forget your quiet courage and gentle nature. You were much loved by everyone at Tailends and are especially missed by Bluebell and Daisy May who slept together in your room with you at night.