Maesfen
Extremely Old Nag!
Just had to have Ben, our last Border Terrier put down, poor boy, he was fourteen.
Up until late last week he was as bright as a button but then started wheezing like an old man if he went very fast so we kept him quiet as much as we could but he worsened over the weekend so took him to the vets where he was diagnosed with heart failure. I said I'd rather he went as he was because he wasn't an idle dog, he liked to play and run which would be out of the question now but I was over ridden by both D and the vet who thought we ought to give him a chance. He was put on oxygen and given various things during the day and we brought him home that night along with some diuretic pills to get rid of the fluid around his heart. Sadly, this morning he had taken a turn for the worse so I decided to stay at home with him instead of going with Zoe to the Futurity. I'm glad I did as about ten o'clock, he collapsed twice just walking five yards so rang the vets to say I was on my way with him.
It wasn't fair on him, pitiful to watch and as I'm the one at home with them all day, I think I know them well enough to know when it's wrong to carry on and the vet agreed with me this morning. I don't know what it is about me and having animals put down but there's usually a tale to tell and this time Ben was typically 'awkward' to find a vein on. Luckily he had been sedated first so knew nothing about it but he had both legs clipped and was like a pin cushion before the vein could be found (a typical reaction with heart failure I was told) using three or four needles let alone another vet called in for advice; they won't forget Ben in a hurry! Luckily, I'm too practical and can see the funny side of things so I was OK with it but writing this, I've just bawled my eyes out; I'm not a heartless cow after all.
The end of Wolvesacre Border Terriers after 30 years, will be so strange not to have one around after so long but we don't intend to replace him, we couldn't.
So goodnight Ben, God Bless and thanks for so many happy memories.
Up until late last week he was as bright as a button but then started wheezing like an old man if he went very fast so we kept him quiet as much as we could but he worsened over the weekend so took him to the vets where he was diagnosed with heart failure. I said I'd rather he went as he was because he wasn't an idle dog, he liked to play and run which would be out of the question now but I was over ridden by both D and the vet who thought we ought to give him a chance. He was put on oxygen and given various things during the day and we brought him home that night along with some diuretic pills to get rid of the fluid around his heart. Sadly, this morning he had taken a turn for the worse so I decided to stay at home with him instead of going with Zoe to the Futurity. I'm glad I did as about ten o'clock, he collapsed twice just walking five yards so rang the vets to say I was on my way with him.
It wasn't fair on him, pitiful to watch and as I'm the one at home with them all day, I think I know them well enough to know when it's wrong to carry on and the vet agreed with me this morning. I don't know what it is about me and having animals put down but there's usually a tale to tell and this time Ben was typically 'awkward' to find a vein on. Luckily he had been sedated first so knew nothing about it but he had both legs clipped and was like a pin cushion before the vein could be found (a typical reaction with heart failure I was told) using three or four needles let alone another vet called in for advice; they won't forget Ben in a hurry! Luckily, I'm too practical and can see the funny side of things so I was OK with it but writing this, I've just bawled my eyes out; I'm not a heartless cow after all.
The end of Wolvesacre Border Terriers after 30 years, will be so strange not to have one around after so long but we don't intend to replace him, we couldn't.
So goodnight Ben, God Bless and thanks for so many happy memories.
my granny had border terrier brilliant little dogs. Rip boy xx
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