Smithers - Arrived @ Tailends in April 2007

Dear little Smithers arived at Tailends on Thursday 26th April. He was transported from the dog pound in Rochdale by Heather, Mich and our good friend Dave who runs our website so brilliantly for us. We would like to thank everyone involved in bringing Smithers to Devon and also Rochdale Dog Rescue for rescuing him from "death row" and arranging everything so professionally as usual. We could not help these dogs without the the assistance of such wonderful people who are prepared to give up their time and act fast to save the lives of dogs like Smithers. I salute you all for your kindness and compassion.
Smithers is a tan coloured long-bodied terrier type of dog. He is very elderly and was found wandering the streets by the dog warden in Blackburn. He was examined by my vet yesterday and found to have a very serious heart complaint. His teeth are in a very poor condition and he has a tumour near the base of his tail, which is not of immediate concern in view of his other problems. Smithers has been circling to the left and also I have observed him pressing his head into the wall. These are indications that he has brain damage. Poor little Smithers has been so unlucky to have so many problems - just when we are there to help him. He is deaf and has cataracts on both eyes though does have some sight. He has been enjoying his meals and going for long rambles around the garden followed by deep sleeps in his cosy bed. There is little treatment we can give to this poor boy except to ensure that he is loved and cared for during his final days. At least he did not end his life frightened and distressed in a concrete dog pound. In view of Smithers' condition I will not be adding him to the sponsor list. We will take it a day at a time. He would probably not survive an anaesthetic to deal with his teeth and remove the tumour, but he is not in pain and seems bright and cheerful. He may only have a short time here but will be cared for until the time comes for him to leave.

I am very sad to have to announce the death on May 15th of dear little Smithers. He had been here for just 19 days but at least he was surrounded with loving care at the end of his life and did not die unloved and unwanted in a dog pound. I thought he had dementia because of his erratic behaviour but he was going for little walks and seemed to enjoy his food and slept well. However on Tuesday evening he became very restless and despite being very tired, seemed unable to sleep. I was increasingly worried and took him to the veterinary hospital on Wednesday morning. On the journey he started to become very aggressive and I realised he was in acute pain. I had no choice but to ask the vet to put him to sleep. I could not let the poor little chap suffer. The vet thought it likely that Smithers had a brain tumour and after some thought I realised that this was very likely. An old collie (Billy) which we had some years ago also suffered from a brain tumour and the symptoms were very similar. Dear little Smithers must have had a home once. How did he come to be wandering the streets in his condition? We will never know how this poor chap came to be homeless in the dog pound. Sleep well little Smithers. We are glad we could give you a few comforts and we are sorry you could not stay longer.