Last Thursday, Boola was booked in for a GA at the vets - this was for a dental and for a hip X ray. We've noticed that his back leg "wobble" has got more noticeable recently and we wanted, if possible, to get to the bottom of it. The hip X ray confirmed there is no cancer or arthritis and it is what the vet suspected, a neurological problem. As such, we won't make any further attempts to investigate or treat, since he's far too old for any invasive surgery and isn't in any pain. Sometimes, just the reassurance of knowing what something isn't can be very helpful. While he was having the dental, the vet phoned to confirm taking out a tooth that was cracked - we knew he was having problems on that side of his mouth, so were happy to give the go ahead. As usual, he came home and was quite distressed on Thursday evening, as he doesn't react at all well to the anaesthetic. I stayed up with him till about 2.30 and he did eventually settle. He managed a short walk on Friday and by Friday night was a lot happier. On Sunday morning, we were preparing to go out for our walk, and he was so much brighter that he decided to do a leap of excitement just as I was bending down to put on his lead. There was a cartoon style "Clonk" and I spent the next few moments reeling around the hall, swearing. By the time we got back from our walk, Andrew informed me that my eye socket was swelling and changing colour, and sure enough, I've now got a magnificent black eye. On Sunday afternoon, we went with a friend and Boola to the Greyhound Rescue Wales annual show at Pembrey Country Park. Fortunately the weather was dry, and it was wonderful to see lots of greys and lurchers together. Boola had a wonderful time sniffing lots of bottoms, and came 8th in the Best Male Greyhound class, and 4th in the Best Veteran, so came home with two more very smart rosettes. We saw Penny and also Margaret, who was absolutely delighted to see Boola. She has a very special soft spot for him, as she was the person who picked him up from his surrendering owners and immediately fell in love with him. She was telling us about her new foster lurcher puppy and about the progress of the GRW charity shop, so it was great to catch up with the news.

We took Boola back to the vet on Wednesday for his post operative check up and the vet said he was fine, and looking very healthy and happy.

I've been slowly trying to do more work on my stray dog stats but am still waiting for Newport to come through, then I'll have the complete figures for the past four years so should be able to do some more detailed trend analysis.

Booty went for her hydrotherapy session on Thursday afternoon, and her therapist measured her limbs to assess progress - she has put on a cm on two of her legs. It's so lovely to see her going there as she gets really excited. In the car, she knows when we are nearly there, and gets up and starts wagging her tail. When we get inside, her tail is going like mad, and she trots round to say hello to everyone, has a good sniff and then waits very happily for her harness to be attached, before heading off to the treadmill. After her session, she loves her treats and seems to really enjoy the rub down with the towel. We usually find that once she's home and had her tea, she then spends most of the evening fast asleep, and is pretty perky the next day. She has her picture on the wall of the outer office, along with many of the other clients.