Long term readers will recall that back in April 2009, Andrew and I fostered a greyhound bitch.  At the time we were living in Builth Wells and we christened her Murgatroyd.  She stayed with us until July 2009, when she was adopted and renamed Callie.  She was an utterly adorable girl, and we were both delighted to keep in touch with the lady who adopted her, and who also went on to adopt a second greyhound, called Mick.  

The lady who adopted her lived down in Burry Port, near Pembrey Country Park and we would regularly go down with our hounds and meet up for a walk in the Park.  It was lovely to see little Callie so happy and settled and being cared for by an owner who clearly adored them both.   

Sadly, in recent times, their owner has not been in the best of health.  We'd been aware of this, but then matters took a more serious turn.  Just two days after Sara arrived with us, we had a phone call from Callie and Mick's owner, saying that her health was deteriorating and that a hospital visit was quite likely to be imminent, and could we help to care for the dogs?  

Since then, Rhian has been in hospital, and we've been rather stuck, as Sara almost immediately came into season, something which made introducing other dogs impossible.  Then we had Boola's tragic passing.  During this time, the dogs have been staying at a kennel in Carmarthenshire, being very well looked after.  I have been visiting them regularly, taking pics of them and then seeing Rhian in hospital to give her updates - she has been very concerned about them.  It has become clear that Rhian is very seriously ill, and we had several discussions about the dogs.  Eventually, we've agreed that we will foster the dogs while she is unwell though with the support of a local charity - they will help with vets bills and provide extra support if anything happens to me or Andrew.  

We are collecting the dogs on Friday afternoon, and it seems amazing to think that three years on our little Murgatroyd will be coming home to us, albeit on a temporary basis, though probably for quite a while, along with her lovely brother Mick.  We will be a four hound household - if Boola had survived, a five hound house.  Gulp.  I feel a bit of trepidation, mixed with gladness that we can support Rhian, happiness to be seeing little Murgy again, and again sadness that Boola and Booty aren't here to greet their foster sister once more.  It's been a worrying time, but I'm hopeful we can get things resolved and help both Rhian and the dogs get through a difficult patch.  In particular, although this kennel is very good and offers exemplary care, we would not have wanted this as a long term option for the two dogs, especially going into the winter months.  I'm also very pleased that we've been able to visit Rhian in hospital, not as often as I'd like, since she's down in Carmarthenshire, but at least it's a cheery face occasionally, and we've been able to bring her a few small necessities like toiletries, books etc.  

Please keep everything crossed for a smooth settling in period and a speedy recovery for Rhian.  I've attached some pics - of Callie and Mick in the kennels, and some older ones of them. 

It's difficult to know where to begin.

Just two weekends ago, Alex and James, our nephews came over for a lovely weekend.  We had a marvellous time with the boys, and as usual, we incorporated a visit to a local dog show with Boola.  To our delight, Boola won the Best Veteran Class and the boys came home with their first trophy. 

On the Monday, Claire came over to collect them and stayed for lunch.  Later in the week, I came down with raging tonsillitis and noticed also that Boola was limping slightly on his front leg.  As I was so unwell, the dogs were not walked, and I felt that for Boola this would be fine if it was a simple muscle strain. I managed to get to see the GP and got some antibiotics, which began working very quickly.  By Saturday, I felt a little better and we had a booking at the greyhound field.  Once we were there, it became clear that Boola was not at all happy.  He was refusing to run round, and looked uncomfortable, preferring to lie down.  We were desperately concerned, and managed to find out that our vet had a Saturday afternoon clinic at their sister branch in Barry.  Andrew took him over and the vet couldn't find anything specific, but gave him an anti inflammatory injection.  

That night, he was clearly uncomfortable and in pain, and we brought him onto our bed to sleep - we were both desperately worried and by about 7 the next morning, we were both awake and decided to take him to the emergency vets.  They were lovely, and gave Boola a pain killing injection and some Tramadol tablets.  Brought him home but during the morning, he went downhill very fast, becoming distressed and agitated.  We took him back to the EV at lunchtime and he was given some methadone, and the vet took blood for tests.  He became a bit more comfortable in the back of the car and we waited for the results.  All these came back as normal, and the vet offered us an X ray.  We declined - to us, by that point, it seemed simply cruel to prolong Boola's suffering for a moment more than necessary.  The vet explained that the only remaining step for pain relief was for him to be admitted and be given IV ketamine while more investigations were carried out but this was not something we wanted for him.  

As he was comfortable in the back of the car, the vet made the arrangements and he passed away peacefully with us holding him that afternoon.  

Just a week after the lovely weekend with the boys, our gorgeous blonde boy was gone.  We are still reeling.  Boola has been cremated privately and the ashes returned to us - we will scatter these when we are ready.  Coming so soon after losing Booty, this has hit us very, very hard.  I am still at the stage of finding his hair on clothes, and expecting to see him when I walk into rooms.  All I can say is that he was a joy to be with, and brought us so much love and happiness in the time we shared with him.  I am also glad for his sake that he did not have a lengthy illness and that he passed so peacefully.  I must pay tribute to the EV staff, who were all flawlessly professional, kind, calm, and made a horrendous weekend a bit more bearable.  

It has been very hard for Andy who was still a bit vulnerable after losing Booty - thank goodness we've had Sara here - she has been a lifesaver.  Her season has now finished, and we are back to walking them together, but even there, it feels so odd not to see Boola's familiar lope, his funny bounces and that wonderful smile of his.  

Since then a lot more has happened and I am feeling like I live in a tumble dryer.  I think it best if I do separate blog posts for the various strands.