Jack's-Jane
Wise Old Thumper
A very sad ending to this thread. Both Hovis and Cherry were helped to the Bridge a short time ago
Hovis' x-ray showed that his hock bone has been eaten away by infection. The vet would have sent cultures to the lab to see if there was anything that could be done but said that the only options she could see was to have the bone fused - which they couldn't do there, or for him to have his leg amputated. His other rear leg is infected too so this was unlikely to have a good outcome.
Hovis has not been happy despite me giving him tramadol. He was eating but sporadically, although he had actually put on some weight. I felt that he had had enough. I would not have had Cherry put to sleep yet but she would have been bereft without Hovis and her stump is frequently sore and bleeding where she is not using her remaining hind leg. She was eating well but watching her struggle to move around was heart-breaking. I don't think she would have coped with being bonded and once I go back to work I'll be out of the house for 8 hours at a time and she would have been lonely.
I held them one at a time while the vet injected the canula in their ears. They went to sleep quickly and peacefully and I had time with them beforehand to tell them how much I loved them. My partner was with me and he was in tears too. He has buried them in the garden for me. I had been having pets cremated because I was intending to move but I am now hoping I can stay here if I get a lodger, reduce my monthly outgoings through switching providers and access one of my pensions early on health grounds. Even if I can't get it early I am entitled to it next October anyway, which I hadn't realised until today.
I hope I've done the right thing. John said when he last saw Hovis he would not want to amputate his leg as it was a different situation to Cherry. He also intimated that the outcome for Cherry was not good. I feel bad as there is part of me that is relieved at not having to keep medicating them and bathing poor Cherry. They hated it and I felt bad keep doing it.
I just hope I didn't give up too soon
I am really sorry Karen, I think you made the kindest decision for both of them. You have taken into account both their physical well-being and their psychological well-being. You put their needs first which shows true love an compassion for two dear friends
RIP Cherry and Hovis xx