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Friday, December 05, 2008

Sad news about Alfie

Sadly, this morning's trip to the PDSA ended with poor old Alfie being put to sleep. His eyes were no longer responding to treatment, despite me applying medication to them several times a day, and they were causing him a great deal of pain. The only way to relieve that pain would have been to remove his eyes. Despite my best efforts, and those of the staff at the PDSA, his ear infection proved utterly untreatable. Even muzzled up, he was so terrified of his ears being touched, that it was heart-breaking to see. His allergies were also getting worse.

Although none of these conditions were life-threatening, they were getting worse, and he was in pain, and becoming more and more miserable by the day. To make matters worse, it seems he had become totally blind and deaf in recent days. Also, staff at the PDSA believe he was much older than he originally seemed - so he was probably at least 14 or 15. When the vet summarised just how much he had declined in the last week or so, I realised it was time to let him go. Neither I nor the vet felt that he had a happy future ahead of him.  It seems too much damage was done to him in his original home, and despite the best efforts of the RSPCA, myself, and the PDSA vets, he simply wasn't going to recover, probably due to his age. As the vet said, if only I'd got him sooner. I couldn't let him live on, knowing he was blind, deaf and in pain,with much worse to come.

I'll really miss our daily walks. At least he got to enjoy 2-3 walks a day for the last three and a half months, with decent food in his belly, and lots of fuss and treats. I'm now on the look-out for a healthy, strong pup, probably just a happy, bouncy crossbreed. Or perhaps I'll get a little Jack Russell pup. We'll see.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Really sad to hear your news. At least he had some real love in his life towards the end. You did the right thing by him.

Siani said...

Thanks, Chris. I couldn't bear the thought of him suffering again. The place seems so quiet without him. I only had him a few months, but I really miss him.

Daisy said...

I am so sorry for your loss. But it makes my heart feel warm that he knew such love and kindness from you.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Chris - you gave him a good life at the end.
I have just posted a Badger item and even now it wrenches.

Dragonstar said...

Siani, I'm so sorry to hear this. Poor Alfie! You did the right thing. He was obviously suffering, and it was kindest to let him go. You gave him love and a caring home, and loads of enjoyment on his walks. You'll miss him so much, but you mustn't blame yourself. You gave him everything you could in the short time he was with you.

Yes, another dog is a great idea. You know now that you can cope. A puppy takes a lot of time and energy, so be warned! Dogs really get under your skin, but they love you completely and unconditionally.

Hugs for you love.

jams o donnell said...

I'm sorry to ehar about Alfie Sian. But you did give him a lot of love and made his last days a lot happier than they would ahve been

 
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