He's two tomorrow....

The Liver Operation he needs is really complicated and means an awful long time under a general anaesthetic something they don’t think he would pull out of.

The vet in questions on of the best in our town (and also vet to my own dog) has been a vet for 35 years and has only ever come across two cases of this in his career via his own surgery.

For Jasper to have the operation he would have to go to a special vet hospital down south and would (if he survived) have to spent upto 3 months recovering before being allowed home. Then on top of that there would be endless testing for him after the operation to monitor his progress.

They way he is now, he’s on regular meds to control the fits (which work) and regular two weekly blood test to monitor his liver and kidney function.

At the moment his condition is controlled and he’s happy… at only just two years old the vet does not recommend proceeding with the surgery because of how is will affect him. Although Jasper is two he’s looks like a puppy because he has not grown or put on weight.

It's funny how the UK and US dogs differ. My kids always want those calenders with bull terriers and staffies on. But we can tell at a glance if it's a US not a UK one, (as many of them in Borders are) because the dogs are 'all wrong'! A dog I used to own was sold to a US dog trainer, and won his class at Westminster last year (their Crufts), and when my own bullie used to be shown, apparently a US judge whispered to her then owner *If this bee-arch was in the US now, she'd be the top one in the country* - but for the UK she was a show winner, not a show stopper. I'm not sure if the breed standards are identical but you can tell just from pictures that the bullies that win over there wouldn't stand a chance here, and when the UK ones are exported, they win everything in sight!

My own little girl retired from the show ring, and she's since lost a lot of her eyesight, which means we can't breed from her. (She had one litter before her eyes went. She was regularly eye tested, but it's a condition that when it strikes, strikes fast).

I don't know about non bull breeds but would guess it's the same thing - the US dogs are very different. (Staffies are more leggy for example, less boxy looking than ours and often have weird ears...)

Mazarin you sound like a great doggy owner. Really dedicated - the best!

Jasper is not mine, he's my friends... although I do have my own little pooch Alfie he's a three year old Jack Russell! I would be so lost (although RICH!) without him in my life!

Great fun today - we took the dogs to some woods for a walk (Ellie's first time in woods) - and we saw some squirrels. I have never laughed so much as watching Ellie chasing squirrels, she seems so uncoordinated compared to Fred & George (labradors) and each time a squirrel went up a tree she just sat there and waited - we had to put a lead on her in the end to get her to move on.

Just a thought.... shouldn't squirrels be hibernating by now?

We also took them swimming in a small lake but Ellie wasn't so keen on that. Probably a bit cold.

Sarah Ann - squirrels don't hibernate. I think ground squirrels abroad do, but reds and greys don't.

Srah Ann - I think you thought they hibernated cos they hide their nuts (oh er missus!). They just try to get a winter store in when there is not much else to eat. Of course they probably forget where they stored them but with luck they will find someone else's. I know at least one Squirrel in Croydon that will not starve. My Aunt regularly puts food out for the birds and there is often one porker of a squirrel sitting on the bird table (note please squirrel- bird table) filling it's chops.

OMG All these years I've thought they hibernated - probably got them muddled with hedgehogs. I thought the occasional one I've seen was suffering from insomnia!

We didn't see any this morning which is a shame because a squirrel or deer is about the only thing that'll get George running nowadays - not even bunnies do it for him any more.

Squirrels with Insomnia!! I like it!!!

Sarah, I thought squirrels hibernated too I thought the ones nicking the seed out of my bird feeder where storing for the winter....but apparently, they'll nick it all winter long now then....

Your walk in the woods with Hubs and dogs sounds fun...I've found a new walk, might try it later, have to drive up the road a bit first... but seems as if there's trails off in a wooded area...

I love walking in the woods - second best only to walking by the sea. Shame I don't live within walking distance of either. The woods are over the other side of Doncaster - about 12 miles away - and the nearest sea is at Cleethorpes - about 40 minutes away. Ah well - I probably appreciate them more for being special treats.

Sorry to come in with such a downer but I just wanted to post here to my fellow dog lovers. Lately, our staffie hasn't been his normal self. To cut a long story short, the vet thinks it's something neurological, and he will be put to sleep tomorrow at mid day. We brought him home tonight and will give him one last walk in the morning on the circuit we used to go running on, to let him see all the places he loves. The kids are distraught and most especially our 13 year old whose dog he is, who lives for him.

Myself and Dh will be with him at the end. We're heartbroken as he's only 6. We'll just have our little mini bull this time tomorrow. Sorry to come back with such a downer. I just wanted you to know as I feel I've shared a lot of our journey with you (the staff did all the walking/running with me).

That is so sad... started a reply and hit a wrong button, please give hugs for me to him before you send him to doggie heaven... tearing up now

Oh no - I am SO sorry what a such sad thing to happen - how awful for you all and how tragic for your 13 year old. Big hugs to you all. You've done the right thing, its the kindest thing to do. It probably won't help - nothing can - but this poem says it all:

The Last Battle
If it should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this -- the last battle -- can't be won.
You will be sad I understand,
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
Your love and friendship must stand the test.
We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes, please, let me go.
Take me to where to my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.
I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.
Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.
Don't grieve that it must be you
Who has to decide this thing to do;
We've been so close -- we two -- these years,
Don't let your heart hold any tears.
-- Unknown

Thanks Sarah and Chris. Well, we were with him to the end, and it was very quick and peaceful.

We brought him home, and got an apple tree to put over him, as we wanted to put a tree there and decided on something with blossom. The kids each chose something to put in his grave, and said goodbye. It's quite easily been one of the worst days in our lives, as a family, but at least he's home.

The mini bull seems quiet, but is still eating which was my main worry. She's going to be my walking companion now - she's so slow we've always nicknamed her 'the slug on a lead'. She also decides she's had enough and in the middle of the long circuit will plonk herself down and refuse to move - not many dogs have to be 'rescued' from walks. But she is one of them!

The older kids put a little toy dragon they'e had for years, and a pewter owl in with him. And a spade from the seaside as Harry loved playing on the beach at Whitby with them (the other month he went to Bridlington and loved that too). We took him for a last walk this morning. Am glad we all had a goodbye, as it often happens in life you don't get that chance. We got some photos last night and this morning, and will make a little box of memories for our autistic son. He seems a bit calmer today than yesterday and I think bringing Harry home and having a full blown 'goodbye' was the best thing to do. Also, death can be a bit sanitised and hidden away from kids these days, and I think that's wrong.

Well life will be quieter round here, now (as far as a house with 5 boys in it can ever be quiet!) but oddly, the dog made a difference - he was a big personality. My 6 year old (who saw ET for the second time on TV the other day) said to me *It's like in ET mummy, when he goes away in the spaceship and the little boy is sad but ET touches his forehead and says 'I'll be in there'.

Sarah, I heard this poem on the radio once and it came to mind today:

The Power of the Dog

There is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.

Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie--
Perfect passsion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart to a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet's unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find--it's your own affair--
But ... you've given your heart to a dog to tear.


When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!)
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone--wherever it goes--for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.


We've sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we've kept 'em, the more do we grieve:
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-term loan is as bad as a long--
So why in--Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?


Rudyard Kipling

Please anyone reading this who's thinking of dog ownership - don't be put off. I'd go through ten times this pain as the price of having had such a lovely dog in our family for 6 years. He brought us all such joy and we have lots of happy memories to think about when the grief goes a bit.

PhatPhoenix--I'm so sorry for your loss. I've had to endure this twice now and it will NEVER keep me from having another dog. The joy they bring is worth the heartbreak of losing one. I hope your apple tree blooms on and on!