Update on the pooch.

[GarethB]

Thanks everyone for their kind words.

I have had Tess since I graduated in 1993 and the last dog died just before I had my grafts in 1989.

Unless you have had a pet it is hard to appreciate how much friendship they can give.

Just a recap;

Sunday midday she collapsed and we took her straight to the vets. The test were OK, think she slipped and for some reason earlier and perhaps had slept funny because that is when she collapsed.

Monday mornaning she looked in a very bad way, unable to stand or hold her head up, eyes wide open and rolling all over the place. Straight to the vets and the tests now shoed she had complete failure of her kidneys, she was being sick too. There she stayed while i sat at home messing about with lenses waiting for the hospital appt.

Tuesday evening brought her home, she looked very sick, but 36 hours on a drip and she was holding food down, but still unable to walk. She looked so ill we honestly thought we were bringing her home to die with dignity.

Wednesday my wife stayed at home and she started to stand again and it was a huge releif to see her stand where she had been carried outside and actually releive herself.

Today instead of the inlaws coming round I am at home (see teacher rant) and she is still very wobbly but she is going in and out by herself. She is still very wobbley and stumbles every now and then, but most the time she is making the step in and out the back door.

She has even tried to play in the snow.

Here are some pictures of her I took this morning before making a snowman with my daughter.











Friday we go back to the vets to make sure we are happy with her progress.

Thanks everyone for your support.

[Lesley Foster]

Fingers crossed for tomorrow Gareth.

Lesley

[Pat A]

Gareth - she's absolutely beautiful - I really hope she gets on OK. I have always had pets whether dogs or cats (plus the usual hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils when son was small!) and we really get attached to them and love them to bits don't we!

I'm off to the vet with my ancient cat tomorrow as well, for his flu jab & annual MOT - he's getting very frail, but he still eats well, purrs a lot and curls up on my lap (except when I'm trying to wear my RGP!). I know the vet will want to do all sorts of tests on him which I will probably refuse - whilst he's happy I'm going to leave well alone - he hates being prodded and poked. I know he won't be with us much longer but I just have to hope he will go peacefully when he does. (I'd stick a photo up if I could work out how to do it!)

I'll be thinking of you tomorrow..let us know how you get on.

[Sweet]

Gareth,

Hopefully things will stay this good! She looks really contented out there plodding in the snow hehe!!

Take care.

[GarethB]

Thanks guys,

Pat I am a beleiver in 'If it ain't broke don't fix it.'

Both dogs usually just get the annual jabs, quick look at teeth & gums, weighed and have their heart and lungs listend too.

I am quite confident now that she will walk into the vets tomorrow. Slow and wobbley but she will be able to walk in, head held high and with dignity again.

[Pat A]

I wish my cat would walk in to the vet! It takes half an hour, long gauntlets and nerves of steel to get him in to the basket!

And then he sulks and won't come out for ages when we get him home!

[GarethB]

Pat,

When I did work experience at the vets (until I found I was too thick), we liked the then new travel boxes that split in two.

We found if we sat down with a towel on our lap the cat out of curiosity and wanting a cuddle would sit on your lap. Bundle the cat in the towel and put in bottom half of basket. Whip the top on and clip into place. One cat pack lunch for a dog

Once at the vets, getting the cat out works in reverse, but still wearing gauntlets.

Cat is pretty much wrapped up for the duration.

If anyone thinks cats can not scale walls and run across the ceiling has never seen a cat having its claws cut

[Lesley Foster]

Once at the vets, getting the cat out works in reverse, but still wearing gauntlets.

Gareth, I have a wonderful vision of a cat in gauntlets

How's Tess by the way?

Lesley

[Lesley Foster]

How do I get the quote into a box?

Lesley.

[GarethB]

Tess is doing fine, go to vets this evening.

Daughter back at school.

Father inlaw ill so I'm flitting ebtween houses to help mother inlaw who is disabled although will not admit it! I can get from my house to theirs quicker than she can get up the stairs for father inlaw!

Wife is at work to take her mind off of things.

At least I am getting today as compassionate leave due to a familly emergency. I argued for yesterday to be treated the same as there was no one to look after my daughter because the teachers took a day off to play in the snow!