Tweenie

Tweenie came to Tailends in September 2001. She had formerly lived in a “Puppy Farm” until she was unable to produce further puppies, which could be sold for profit. Her home for the first 10 years of her life had been an overcrowded filthy caravan in which were housed approximately thirty dogs of all breeds. Their bedding consisted of dirty newspaper and their space was so cramped that the smaller dogs had to lie on top of the bigger ones. It is appalling and indeed a national disgrace that places like this exist and thrive. Sadly, as long as people demand “pedigree” puppies on the cheap and continue to buy from disreputable breeders or petshops, this trade will flourish.

Tweenie (formerly known as Tina) was called Teenie Weenie as she was so small and pathetic when she arrived. It later became shortened to Tweenie on the recommendation of some local children!

Tweenie was totally blind in both eyes when she came to us. Cataracts had developed over the years and eventually her sight had gone completely. We did not think that she would be able to go on any walks and were recommended to buy her a baby carrying harness. This was not a good idea! She decided that she was not going to be carried around and very soon was going on the longest beach walks with the fittest of our dogs. We still cannot get over the way she runs around the fields and does not seem to be hindered at all by her blindness. She is quite a tough old girl really. If she inadvertently crashes into a hedge or obstacle she seems totally unaffected and immediately resumes her run. She soon learned her way around indoors and is fine so long as nobody moves any furniture or dog beds.

Tweenie insisted on sleeping in my bed from her very first night at Tailends. She burrows her way down under the covers and curls up like a hot water bottle – which is fine in the winter, but not so good on hot summer nights. She is completely obsessed with knowing where I am at all times and wails pitifully outside the bathroom door when I take a bath or answer a call of nature. She cannot bear to be parted from me, which can sometimes be a bit of a problem. She will not settle with anyone who comes to keep the dogs company if I have to pop out. Tweenie will just fret and cry until I return and no amount of cuddles or distractions will console her.

Tweenie has frequently suffered with blocked anal glands so needs regular trips to the vet to clear them out. She had several teeth out soon after she came and also developed a mammary tumour, which was successfully removed in October 2003. Last summer she was treated for an ulcer in her right eye. Sadly, despite every effort, it was soon obvious that the eye could not be saved and it would be best to remove it. The operation was carried out on the 15th October 2004 and she has suffered no ill effects. The eye had been causing her pain and irritation so her life improved immediately and she no longer needed to take the analgesic drugs. Tweenie has recently been quite wheezy and the vet found she had developed a severe heart murmur and there was some fluid on her lungs. Happily this problem has been stabilised by the use of an effective heart drug and a short course of another drug to assist her breathing.

Tweenie is quite a feisty courageous little girl despite her rather pathetic appearance. She will not be left out of anything that is going on and has absolutely no fear of the bigger dogs. She will just walk over them if they are lying in her path. Thankfully the greyhounds are all very good-natured. Tweenie is usually to be found with her friend Sugarlump. The two little girls have one of the armchairs to themselves where they curl up together in their blankets. They also have a small cosy dog-bed in the hall and a Snuggle Bag, though this does not stop them sleeping in one of the larger beds much to the disgust of the usual occupant.

Tweenie is one of the lucky breeding bitches who have been rescued and she is now able to enjoy some home comforts in her old age. Many dogs – both brood bitches and stud males – live out their entire lives in horrific conditions due to the profitability of what are commonly called “Puppy Farms”. This situation will only cease when people stop demanding cheap dogs of a particular breed. The character and personality of a companion dog is so much more important than how it looks. There are dogs in rescues all over the country who are desperate for homes. It has been estimated that nearly 2,000 dogs are destroyed everyday in this country of “animal lovers” simply because there are not enough homes for them. Dog Pounds and Dog Homes are regularly killing perfectly healthy companion animals of all ages and breeds. Every litter of puppies deliberately and irresponsibly bred condemns other dogs to death. This is the case even if the puppies have homes to go to, because the number of homes available is finite – not limitless!

The dog overpopulation situation in this country is a problem that needs to be addressed. Everyone can help by taking their dogs from rescues or pounds and getting them neutered before they can reproduce. Those who want a particular type of dog should go to a registered breeder - or better still try the breed rescue first. Everyone wants puppies, but a puppy very soon becomes an adult dog. Puppies can be very hard work especially for those living a modern lifestyle where there is not enough time available for training a young dog. Lack of guidance in the early months of a dog’s life is so often the reason for them coming into rescue later.

Tweenie’s story has a happy ending but if you do not want other dogs to suffer as she has, then please spread the word about unregistered breeding and help end the cruelty of this unacceptable trade.