January 2008. Freddy had an ultrasound scan of his abdomen which identified a large mass but the local vet could not be specific without better equipment and suggested we go to a “super vet” in Dursley near Gloucester. We hastily packed for a few days stay and left home on 10th January without knowing where we would sleep. When we arrived at the vets they were very thorough, taking a full medical history and commenting on him being very perky. This was typical of good days and bad days. This was Friday when we left him to settle in and have an ultrasound scan. The result was better than we expected as they identified a large 7cm tumor on his spleen. This could be removed as we can live without a spleen. His kidney function was still questionable so they put him on a saline drip to flush out his kidneys with the intention of removing his spleen on Monday.
The vets advised us of a B&B a few miles away which was quite expensive but convenient. This would be our base for an unknown period.
We visited him the following day (Saturday) when he was still quite happy and really pleased to see us, even has a short walk around the premises. We reluctantly left him and tried to pass the time away by visiting the local towns of Gloucester and Ledbury.
Sunday's visit was totally different, he was a very sad sick dog. He walked reluctantly with us and preferred to return to his cage. We were very sad and hoped he would get over this.
We phoned the vet on Monday morning to find he was scheduled for surgery that morning. We dashed to see him only to find him in a sorry state. He tried to go to the door to the garden but wet himself and collapsed in a faint (I thought it was a fit). The vet rushed him into intensive care where they did another ultrasound scan which identified that the tumor had burst, hence his low red cell count. A blood donor dog was found and Freddy had a transfusion ready for immediate surgery. We were told to pray as it didn't look too hopeful.
During surgery they looked around his organs finding more tumors on his liver, the larger ones could be removed but his quality of life would not be good and would be short. For his sake we had to make the saddest decision to end his life. He was so much a part of our life, just like a child with such a personality. My prayers were not answered; what little faith I had has been reduced to almost nothing.
We then spent half an hour in tears with our lifeless friend telling him how much we loved him and decided we were just not capable of taking him home to bury in the garden so arranged for an individual cremation.
On our return home we then set about removing Freddy's toys, food and just about everything doggy. Di said she could not go through this again so no more dogs but I knew just how much I still wanted a dog to be part of my life. The first days were very hard, so much of our everyday life and expressions were centered around Freddy. The house and our lives were empty. Eventually I expressed my thoughts that we should look for another dog and Di agreed. Not a replacement for Freddy but a substitute- he was irreplaceable.
The vets advised us of a B&B a few miles away which was quite expensive but convenient. This would be our base for an unknown period.
We visited him the following day (Saturday) when he was still quite happy and really pleased to see us, even has a short walk around the premises. We reluctantly left him and tried to pass the time away by visiting the local towns of Gloucester and Ledbury.
Sunday's visit was totally different, he was a very sad sick dog. He walked reluctantly with us and preferred to return to his cage. We were very sad and hoped he would get over this.
We phoned the vet on Monday morning to find he was scheduled for surgery that morning. We dashed to see him only to find him in a sorry state. He tried to go to the door to the garden but wet himself and collapsed in a faint (I thought it was a fit). The vet rushed him into intensive care where they did another ultrasound scan which identified that the tumor had burst, hence his low red cell count. A blood donor dog was found and Freddy had a transfusion ready for immediate surgery. We were told to pray as it didn't look too hopeful.
During surgery they looked around his organs finding more tumors on his liver, the larger ones could be removed but his quality of life would not be good and would be short. For his sake we had to make the saddest decision to end his life. He was so much a part of our life, just like a child with such a personality. My prayers were not answered; what little faith I had has been reduced to almost nothing.
We then spent half an hour in tears with our lifeless friend telling him how much we loved him and decided we were just not capable of taking him home to bury in the garden so arranged for an individual cremation.
On our return home we then set about removing Freddy's toys, food and just about everything doggy. Di said she could not go through this again so no more dogs but I knew just how much I still wanted a dog to be part of my life. The first days were very hard, so much of our everyday life and expressions were centered around Freddy. The house and our lives were empty. Eventually I expressed my thoughts that we should look for another dog and Di agreed. Not a replacement for Freddy but a substitute- he was irreplaceable.
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