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Updated 31/03/08 |
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Firstly, albeit a little late, may we wish our readers all the very best
for 2008... how quickly 2007 seems to have flown.
Sage - Update
Here at Otterspool, the last few months have caused
us all quite a lot of worry. You may recall that in our
last newsletter we were happy to report that Sage was
going from strength to strength. Unfortunately, the past few weeks have seen a major
setback in her progress. Suddenly one morning she refused to eat her breakfast and
was very lethargic. As Sage has always been monitored very closely, we immediately
decided to waste no time and took her to the vets. There she had blood tests which revealed
there was a problem with her kidneys. Consequently Sage spent most of the next
two weeks at the vets on a drip. A number of scans were done on her kidneys which
revealed that she is now in kidney failure, and despite the fact that through a specially
controlled diet and medication she is back to her bouncy cheeky self, the future for Sage
is unfortunately now very uncertain. What it does mean also, is that any kind of surgery for her hips is now out of the
question because of the risk involved in having an anaesthetic. For all of you who have supported our 'Sage Appeal'
we would like to say a huge 'thank you'. The amount raised to date is £2,395.85 and even though Sage's hip operation
has not taken place, her recent spell in 'hospital' together with the drugs, scans and consultations, has far exceeded
this amount. In addition to thanking you all once again for your donations to this very worthy cause, the most
special thanks of all must go to Sage herself for taking so much in her stride yet remaining such a warm and friendly
dog who has stolen the hearts of all who have met her.
Rio
We have also been very concerned about our German Shepherd Rio, who, before
Christmas had a number of fits which left her confused and uncoordinated. However, after a few days on medication, and after thinking that we may lose her, Rio
returned to her old self and things thankfully went back to normal. Unfortunately, in February
the same thing happened again, Rio was having fits more often this time which left
her very weak. Like Sage, Rio has spent a lot of time at the vets but we now have her on
medication twice a day which seems to be controlling the situation,
and she is back enjoying her runs in the field with Sage.
Dogs - Comings & Goings
Thankfully, we do have some good things to report. In our last newsletter we told you that Jess and Tyson were
about to go to their new homes and we are pleased to say that they are both happily settled with their new owners. It
wasn’t long before Josie and Bruno our two terriers whom you met in our November newsletter, found themselves
new families. Josie had to be spayed and Bruno castrated before they could leave, and as they had arrived together,
we arranged for their new owners to pick them both up at the same time so that neither one had to be left behind. It
was sad to separate them, but they are both young dogs and have had no problem settling into their new homes.
Bob, one of our Jack Russell boys had been with us for a number of years, and although not a naughty boy, for
some reason no-one seemed to want to offer him a home. That was until the Higginbotham family came along and
fell in love with him, and as soon as their new fencing was in place, Bob went along happily to his new home, and
has been back a few times to visit his old friends at Otterspool. Hatton, our young Staffordshire Bull Terrier, was not
with us for long before the Anand family came along to offer him a home, where he has children to play with as he is
a very happy outgoing dog.
When Jess - a twelve month old German Shepherd joined us, we instinctively knew that once
again she would not be with us for too long a stay, and we were right. When Mr & Mrs Walker came to the kennels looking for a playmate for their own
dog, the dogs were introduced and happily both got on
very well together. Consequently, after Jess was spayed,
and following a successful home check, she went off to her
new life and new friends. This was a particularly happy
ending as Jess had spent most of her young life locked in
a back yard.
Around about this time, we were contacted by a gentleman who was ringing on behalf of his neighbour who was now
in poor health and was unable to exercise Murphy, his Miniature Schnauzer. The neighbour asked could Otterspool
take the dog, to which we agreed. He had only been with us for a couple of days when we were contacted by a lady
who had seen Murphy on a number of occasions whilst walking her own Schnauzer and was very interested in giving
him a home. A satisfactory home check went ahead and Murphy, after a very brief stay with us, found himself a new
family. Another one of our 'old-timers' won the heart of Mrs Hinds when she saw him. Little Jack - another one of
our Russell boys has been the perfect gentleman since he left us. He has even managed to ignore the cat he is living
with, that must make him a saint in the world of Jack Russells! Another newcomer has been Rosie, an eightyear
old Golden Labrador whose owners had split up. Rosie may be eight years, but acts like eight months! As this
newsletter is being written, Rosie has left us to join a new family and two other Labradors to play with. Also looking
for a very special home with someone with lots of time on their hands is Albert a twelve-month old American Bull
Dog. You cannot help but fall in love with Albert the minute you see him, and even though he is a big softie really, he
is BIG! and very lively.
Just before Christmas we were approached to take Kim a one-year old German Shepherd cross. Her owners were
at work all day and Kim was spending too much time on her own. When she joined us she was very nervous, but it
wasn't long before she came to realise that we all had her best interests at heart, and became much more relaxed.
Fortunately she too has now found herself a new home. At Otterspool we attach great importance to animals being
neutered before they leave us, however, in Kim's case, because she was in season during her stay with us, we have
agreed with her new family that she will be spayed at Otterspool's expense as soon as the waiting period is over.
We have just been joined by two delightful German Shepherd girls - Astra who is four and Hobo who is five. They
have both arrived from the same home where their owner now suffers from ill health and is unable to care for them.
Whilst we are not looking to re-home them together, obviously it would be nice if we could. Up to now, unless anyone
else manages to sneak in before this newsletter goes to print, our last and latest newcomer is Tricks a two-year
old Border Collie whose previous owners were forced to part with him because their landlord would not allow them
to keep him. Tricks has a lovely temperament, and already has a home in the pipeline when he has been castrated. |
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