Smudge and Rafferty (History at bottom of page)

31st Jan 2012 Well, we continue.... Smudge is doing well, sadly incontinent so wearing a nappy indoors, which I can ignore but Greg finds very difficult to live with..... but better than stinky carpets and he is far too well and happy to contemplate the other alternative (for Smudge that is, not Greg....that's another possibility!!). Raf is very happy, although 'poorly' paw giving some concern and the cystitis still around.

The great news is our young helper Charlie now his his very own black labrador Poppy (well, him and mum, dad and his sisters, to save any argument!). I have managed to sneak her away for a couple of mornings for puppy cuddles when she has climbed all over  Mr Tolerant Smudge and teased Raf to bits... so lovely to see good, confidence dog interactions. We'll have to start a Poppy page.....

Update 31st December: All well! Smudge happy. Losing weight rapidly now but keen to see people and dogs, and have frequent but short walks. Very playful!! Feels like a special Christams miracle. Raf having some trouble with that foot but happy and extremely bouncy. He and I going into weight-off mode for new year....not before time! 

Update 8th December: Smudge is still with us!!!!! He has been doing very well, eating and (eventually) Big Toileting, even playing with his chew and wanting to go out. A bit subdued today which I am hoping is only because I have lessened the painkiller dosage. Back to vet for stitches removal tomorrow, so will know more then. I'm sure all the positive thoughts helped, so thanks for all the messages!!

Raf so excited at seeing the Elves wrap up pressies for the Christmas Party..... thinks they are all for him........ told him he hasn't been THAT good.....

Update 2nd December:

I haven't done very well keeping this page updated in last couple of months, mainly because Greg's mum died and mine's had various falls and alarums, and actual work has been the priority. Meanwhile, things have been happening with our lovely woofers....

Smudge had been doing very well, wobbly on the old legs but happy and playful. All changed on Tuesday night when he paced up and down in pain. After an uneasy day full of tests etc, it was clear an operation was needed to remove a large lump protruding from his stomach. We have known for some time that there was a 'nasty' close to his bladder/prostate but now this external mass had swollen and become very unpleasant. It was clear he was in big trouble and we got a not unexpected call from Martin the vet, mid operation, giving us the choice to let him go while under, or to stitch him up. The problem with the latter would be that the surrounding tissues are in a very bad way so healing may be poor. Because he has been so strong to date, we decided to try. Yesterday was pretty wretched, but he was kept under strong sedation (he probably felt better than we did!!). He started to drink last night and has had scrambled egg today, and another enema, what fun. He is much more content and alert, and the wound (so far) looks good. We won't have him for long, I know, but some more time with him feeling good and getting enjoyment from life will be a real bonus. This is not the right forum to be promoting individual vets, so I won't name the surgery, but we have received exemplary care and kindness, as has Smudge. They have gone far further than the extra mile and I take my hat off to them. So, fingers crossed for my old boy, here's hoping he'll be back at puppy socials before long, giving them the benefit of his wisdom.

Rafferty, our 'little' one (who is too big by far and far from young now!) has had his 3rd toe removed, and is doing so well. How he would cope just on the remaining 2 toes was the big unknown, big relief to see him walking and running pretty perfectly. He is also more relaxed, now there is less pain. The bad news is that he has cystitis, caused by the chemo tablets, not an infection. It is proving hard to shift and he can't continue to have chemo until it is cleared up. What affect this will have is yet another unknown. And I must get weight off him, the combination of his greed and my stupidlty of giving him more than he needs cos he was 'poorly' has become an issue! now he can do more exercise, especially with his swimming, we should see some changes (in his weight, not mine, that's another sorry story!). Anyway, meanwhile, he is very happy, so affectionate. The opposite to Thinker Smudge in many ways, but a delight!

 History for those who don't know them:

Smudge, black labrador, is 133/4 years old. He came to us at 17 weeks form Labrador Rescue, very scared of children and of being left but soon got the hang of life and has been the most fantastic dog. He is a great communicator, which has been very useful for working with anxious or aggressive dogs. Sadly his back legs are giving up now and he can walk very little. He still enjoys life and meeting people and dogs, and loves to go swimming and we are hoping he'll be with us for a while yet. 

Rafferty!! what to say? At 7 months, he was diagnosed with malignant tumours in his right foot and foreleg. Four specialists thought he would die before his first birthday.... he is now 41/2!! That sort of sums Raf up.... never easy, never straight forward, when he is good he is very very good .... when it goes wrong, it goes really, really wrong. He is lovely, sweet, happy, loves his retrieving but what a character... never a dull moment!

Annette Bowcott