Now I really have to hang my head in shame, is way too long since my last update on here.
Quite a bit has happened, Billie my other dog had an infection in her spine just before Christmas and I thought I was going to lose her over Christmas, she was almost unable to walk and it was awful seeing her in such discomfort. Whenever I thought it was time to call it a day she picked up. I am pleased to say that she is much better now and although is still only able to go on short walks she is improving all the time.
Jess has also given me major scares, which are still going on. Jess has been going through a period of being sick and I cannot find out why. I am in the process of changing her food, she has been tested for pancreatitis and thankfully is clear. I know she has a disgusting habit of finding cat poo and eating it YUK !! but do not think it is this. It seems to have abated at the moment but am worried with not having found out what caused it.
It seems impossible but it is 1 year today since I brought Jess home for what I thought was a month or two of TLC before her time was up!!
In that time Jess has settled completely into my home with my other animals and I would miss her so much if she werent here now. She has developed quite bad arthritis in her front pastern (ankle) joint, where her front legs are twisted in, possibly from deformity or from poor growth. I believe she spent a lot of years confined to a small area - I can only surmise this from the lack of any muscle when I got her, also hard skin on her elbow joints and sides possibly from living on concrete. I believe she was chained but obviously I cannot be sure of any of this. I only know that she is suffering for it now. Jess has been on Carprofen for her arthritis which did seem to really help until the vomiting came along.
The vet bills seem to be mounting but Jess is worth every penny although wouldnt say no to a small or even large windfall to pay for it all !!
Jess did not like the snow at all and does not like cold full stop. My Bernese of course loves and and would lay out all day in it given the chance but dont think it would help her arthritis!! Jess was a lot happier when I invested in a waterproof dog coat for her and was quite proud 'strutting her stuff' in her coat on walks and just seemed a lot happier. Did not have the hang dog look and the giving me dirty looks for 'making' her go out in the cold/wet !!!
Hopefully I will have 'my girls' for some time to come yet but at the same time I fully accept that their time may be limited and I will not allow them to suffer unecessarily.
With summer hopefully on its way I will have some happy photos to put up again of the girls enjoying their walks and lazing in the garden.
Happy New Year to all even if it is a little belated !
