Lizzie - Tailends 5th November 2008 - 13th January 2010

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 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 would 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.

Lizzie - is doing well. She still exhibited nervousness in the presence of other bitches but loved Wilfred who was her special friend. She loved her food and got very excited when walks are due. I hoped she would be able to go off lead eventually but was happy with the extending lead at first. Very soon, however, she was racing around the beach with the other greyhounds in the morning – running I and out of the waves.

Lizzie had recently been given a beautiful new fleecy lined coat by Rachel who ordered it to be made especially by the TRPD project. Lizzie looks very smart in her posh new coat and it keeps her snug on these cold winter days.

Lizzie - still had problems with her front right leg as 2009 progressed. Further X-rays showed damage to two areas of her spinal chord but nothing which would account for the pain she is having. She will be going for a consultation with Simon, our orthopedic specialist vet on Thursday 30th April. Lizzie was such a devoted affectionate girl and I hoped we could get to the bottom of her ailment and find the best treatment for her. The good news is that her blood test last week showed no sign of her former kidney problem.

Lizzie - has been giving me cause for concern over the last couple of weeks. She is not eating properly and is a bit lethargic - though still goes for her walks twice a day. In view of her previous kidney problems I will get her blood tested this week. A blood test in April was completely normal. She is such a sweet affectionate girl and has bonded very closely with me. I do hope there is nothing seriously wrong but I do need to find out. She is so devoted to me and always waits patiently by the gate to await my arrival if I have to go out.

Lizzie - went to the vet on 12th November for a dental. She did suffer from very bad teeth as do so many greyhounds. It is only six months since she last had them done but again they need attention. Her blood will also be checked again to ensure there is no recurrence of the kidney failure which she had on arrival at Tailends just over a year ago.

Lizzie seemed so much better and completely back to normal by Christmas 2009. I continued to monitor her but there seemed currently no cause for concern. She was sleeping better during the night and enjoying her food again with no sign of her previous kidney failure.

On Monday 11th January I was concerned again over Lizzie’s breathing and welfare. She was taken to the charter vet hospital at Roundswell to be examined by Simon Thompson, the Head Vet. Her heart and lungs presented clear and results were not totally conclusive following a blood test. A further test was conducted to ascertain whether there was any sign of pancreatitis but this was ruled out. She was given a course of medication but by 13th January she deteriorated and needed hospitalisation by the evening. She was panting and her lungs were dull so a moving x ray was done which revealed lots of fluid. Following sedation, a needle was used to drain half a litre of blood after finding the presence of a phneumo thorax causing collapsed lungs. There was no indication of trauma (such as an accident) and cells removed from the lungs revealed abnormal cancer cells. There was nothing to be done. She was sedated and all we could do is to let her go where we would one day meet her again and say all the things we never got the chance in her final moments.

Dear Lizzie, you were such a special friend to me and I am so sorry I was not able to be with you at the end of your life here on earth. One day we will all be together and fly high above the beach again watching the others as they have such fun splashing in the waves as you loved to do. Sweet dreams my darling girl.

I am devastated that I was unable to say a proper goodbye to my dear Lizzie.