All the Latest News...

Update 12 May 2008...

Now that the photographic competition has finsihed, you might like to follow this gallery link and see all the excellent entries that were received. Very shortly the winners link will be posted here, along with information about the total amount raised. Many thanks to everyone for their support.

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Don't forget the Sponsored Walk on 18th May at Crediton, Devon.  See EVENTS page for more details.

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Update 11 May 2008...

Local Help Urgently Needed - Could anyone help on a table top sale on FRIDAY 30TH MAY 10AM - 1PM IN CROYDE VILLAGE HALL, North Devon.  Please ring or email if you live near enough to help out!  This is an important fund raising opportunity for us. Thanks.

Amos - It is very painful to have to write to tell you that my beloved Amos died very suddenly on Sunday May 4th. I know everyone who met him or even followed his story was moved by the courage and determination of this very special boy. I knew the cancer was back after a year in remission but I still hoped that he would have a little more time with me. He was eating well and sleeping soundly in his favourite cosy bed at night. He often spent the mornings with Poppy in the sunlounge stretched out one of the memory beds there. He went for shorter walks during the last three weeks but only a few days before that day, he managed to walk down to the beach via the footpath across the field. He paddled in the stream and looked at the sea - for the last time.

He asked for his dinner a little earlier than usual and tucked into it demolishing every scrap of his favourite roast beef and nature diet. Then, when I was putting a harness on Jack, he came to the door and wanted to come with us. He went through the back gate onto the path and then started to behave strangely and froth was coming from his mouth. I got him back into the garden where he collapsed under the pear tree. I could not get him indoors so got a duvet and pillows and made him comfortable. Gloria stayed close to him as we waited for the vet to arrive. She put her foot gently onto his back as if asking him to get up. The vet came within half an hour, during which time I had given Amos a sedative to ensure he was not distressed. It was the most dreadful time of my life knowing that I was about to lose my best and closest friend, whose loyalty far exceeded anything I could ever know from another human. Drops of rain started to fall as Amos took his last breath and as the car carrying him on his last journey drove away the rain fell in torrents for 15 minutes. It seemed that the heavens were crying too for this terrible loss. I will soon take another dog who needs my help but I will continue to grieve for my boy as long as I live. Life without you is so very difficult. Fly with the angels now dear Amos and take care of our sweet Charlie who went just three days before you. You fought this disease so bravely but in the end it defeated you. I will see you again my dear in a far better place where there will be no more tears.

Mollie - On Monday 5th May, I noticed two white areas in Mollie's left eye when I put her Acular drops in. On Tuesday morning I rang Jim Carter who is the ophthalmologist who performed surgery on her eyes in December 2007. I could not arrange transport to Exmouth on that day and he was not there on Wednesday so I got her to my own vet immediately. She gave me some ointment and said the eyes were badly infected either by bacteria or perhaps a fungal infection was also present. She advised seeing the eye specialist asap. Ronnie arrived early on Thursday morning to take Mollie to Exmouth to see Jim who diagnosed an ulcerated cornea and infection damage deeper in the eye. We have no idea how this happened. Jim said it could have been anything. Maybe she got some sand in from the beach - who knows. However he admitted her straight away and she in having drops put in every 20mins, day and night. She is missed here but she is in the right place where she can receive the latest treatment and everything is being done to save her eye. Jim rang me last night to say that she was very much improved and the eye looked a lot better, so I am cautiously optimistic that all will be well. The good thing is that the right eye is completely normal and she has good sight in that one whatever the outcome. She will remain at the Exmouth clinic until Jim feels that she is improved enough to return to Tailends. This has been a disappointing setback as her final appointment had been booked for next week, but with a diabetic dog like Mollie I have to expect a few problems along the way. Please keep Mollie in your thoughts at present.

Jack - has been doing very well, putting on weight and so much more relaxed than when he came. He is used to all the routines and is such a good boy. However Jack has one big problem! His bilateral laryngeal paralysis is now severely affecting his quality of life as the warmer weather progresses. He is making horrible noises in an effort to breathe when it is hot. I use fans and wet coats but I cannot bear to see him like this. Yesterday I decided that I was going to have to either agree to put him to sleep or have major surgery done to open up his airways. I think he deserves a chance and I have booked him in for the operation next Thursday with Simon Thompson, the head small animal vet with the Charter vet group. I hope I have made the right decision and it will be a very stressful time for me. The responsibility is overwhelming but I have to face it and do what I think is right. Please also keep Jack in your thoughts, particularly on Thursday.

Update 6 May 2008...

Charlie - My big gentle "special needs" boy passed away from this world on May 1st at 3.30pm. He started to suffer fits at the end of October 2007 and had recently been put on Epiphen, which initially seemed to keep him stable. However the fits had recently become more frequent and Alison, our vet, thought they were likely to be caused by a brain tumour as he had not previously been an epileptic dog. Since the series of fits on Friday April 18th, Charlie seemed to recover but was not enjoying his walks and became very slow. During the night of April 30th he suffered another fit from which he did not recover but was left bewildered, restless and disturbed. I gave him rectal diazepam and increased Epiphen but it had little effect. Eventually I gave him a stronger sedative which did at last give him peace until the vet arrived. I hope he heard me as I spoke to him as he left Tailends on his journey to another place. I miss him very much. It was so painful to say goodbye to this sweet character who had been here since December 23rd 2005. I know everyone who met Charlie will remember this poor disturbed lad who had suffered so much in his life. He was covered in scars - both physical and mental - from being savagely attacked in a kennel in Scotland before coming to Devon. Sweet dreams Charlie boy. I know the other friends which you made here and have gone before you will now be looking after you as I can no longer do. Until we meet again...

Update 21 April 2008...

Charlie suffered a number of fits during the morning of April 18th. The vet advised me to increase the dose of epiphen and to use a rectal syringe of sedative also. He has been very disorientated during the weekend - which may be partly due to the increased sedation. However now the dose is reduced and I am hoping he will return to normal soon. I am horribly aware that Charlie may be suffering from advanced brain disease. I can only hope and pray that Charlie recovers and I do not have to make that terrible decision to let him go. He is such a sweet old boy.

Ben became ill last week and had to be taken to the vet where a further blood test was done. The Cushings has badly affected his immune system and his skin had become sore and infected. He was also unable to keep food down. I am delighted to report that after a week of antibiotics and fuciderm cream, he is now completely back to normal and is really enjoying his walks in the sunshine through the fields.

Dolly sometimes has a bad day, but most of the time she is quite happy, eating well and eager to go for her walks. I am only feeding her Royal Canin Sensitivity Control tinned food as this seems to suit her delicate digestion. I add a little scrambled egg in the morning and some fresh chicken for her dinner. I gave her a hair cut recently as her coat easily becomes matted so she is looking nice and smart and must also feel more comfortable and ready for the summer heat.

Amos is gradually showing signs of his age and I fear there is a chance that the possible chondro sarcoma in his nasal passages is progressing. His back legs are also becoming weaker so I am not taking him for such long walks though he is always keen to go out and often accompanies other old and frail residents on their walks as he is totally trustworthy and does not need to be on a lead. I believe he should do what he wants - within reason. Amos is a sensible old chap and I just love him to bits. He is such a loving boy who comes to me for a cuddle when he is feeling a bit low. How I am going to face losing this very special old boy I do not know. However for now we will just live a day at a time and enjoy the spring sunshine.

Emma was spayed last Tuesday and all is well. She was a little subdued for a day or two but has now recovered. I will take the stitches out next Friday. Emma is such a happy girl. She has a positive animated personality and is always eager to please. She is only allowed off lead for short times as she does have a tendency to forget everything in her excitement to explore her new environment and I do not want her to get lost in the dunes. Hopefully in time she will learn to stay within earshot when off lead.

The annual Canine Friends Raffle Tickets are available now from Tailends.  Let me know if you would like a couple of books to sell to raise much-needed funds for Tailends. Thanks.

Update 5 April 2008...

For Sale - A limited number of small mounted drawings of Ted and also of Ronnie have been donated by Melanie Shepherd.  Please email Tailends if you would like one in return for a donation.

Spring 2008 Newsletter - If you would like a copy please contact Tailends with your address. It is too large to put on the website.

Please remember to check out the Events page, as new entries have been added!

Please note: All previous news items, are to be found on the Archive pages.