I really don't want to admit this, but I don't think that our darling Purdey will be with us at Christmas.

Today she doesn't want to get out of her bed - not even for a bacon sandwich - and that - for a labrador is really bad.

I've moved her bed into the dining room - we still have carpet in there, so it makes it easier for her to get up onto her feet, but she doesn't want to get up at all.   I know that the Christmas shoot beats our drive this weekend (we always get a brace or two of pheasant) and that Purdey absolutely HATES shooting now - strange when you think she has the Sandringham line running through her pedigree - and that, combined with the high winds we have had today, but I'm afraid that tomorrow, I'm going to have to call in our vet.

Gypsy (her neice) is in season, so she is keeping Purdey company in the dining room.   They are both wearing their Christmas decorations, but poor old Purdey, I just hope that she does make it over Christmas = but at the same time, I don't want her to suffer, and I remember better a day top earlu than a day too late.

I'll keep you all posted.

Margot

I'm so sorry to hear that Purdey is not doing so well.
Thinking of you at this time.

liberty

I'm so sorry to hear this - I guess you'll do what's best and that is the best you can do.

CG xx

Thinking of you Margot

Oh dear i am sorry.     Thinking of you

Jean

So very very sorry, it's not easy at any time but as you say better a day early than a day late, I'm sure you'll do the best for Purdey as you always have

Thinking of you, Karen

Margot

I am so sorry to hear about your lovely Purdey.

Someone once said to me that it is the last kindness that you can give you a much loved friend, so don't feel badly about it, just be with her to the end.

I know just how you feel its so hard to come to terms with.

Lots of hugs and love from all my gang in Norfolk.

xxx

Jayne

Just an update:  I do think I'm going to ring our vet in the morning to come and have a look at her:   although she has eatern her dinner (and tried to scrounde some shepherds pie), she is very reluctant to move, and we have had to carry her outside for her poo & pee .

She can get to her feet & staggered through to the living room (I came downstairs & she was in there, lying by Adrian's feet, but we had to carry her back out again when we put her back to bed.   

So things don't look too good:   her eyes are still bright, coat still glossy, nose cold - but oh dear

Margot

Oh dear, Margot. It doesn't sound promising. I know you will do the right thing for her. Make sure she's warm and comfortable overnight, and if there's no improvement in the morning ask the vet to check her over. I'll be rooting for you all.

Hope you don't mind but I've PM'd you

Karen

What sad news L/Mum.

Christine, Spain.

Thinking of you

Sweep x

Margot

Thinking of you all

Daisy

I am so sorry to hear your sad news... Im hoping Purdey will be there on christams morning for her bacon sandwich Im thinking of you x

Many hugs and much love
Donna and charliex

Margot, so sorry to hear about Purdey. If only they could be with us forever, and if love could fix everything they would be. I'm thinking of you both, and hope that you get what you wish for.
Kat

Margot,
          So sorry to hear this, hope you are wrong but I know you'll do what's best for her.

{{{{Hugs}}}}
                    Anne

I am soo pleased to be posting this update:   I called our lovely vets this morning, and have taken her down to see them:  they have checked her over, heart and lungs still functioning fine, and they feel that it is only the pain from the arthritis and hopefully we can control this with METCALM - as Andree said, it does work, for a limited time - up to 3 months she reckons - in 98% of all cases.

So Purtdey has had an injection of METCALM - and we have a month's supply with us.    She has had a quick "lollop" around the garden, has peed - and so now - she is going to have a much-deserved bacon sarnie!!

So now I can say we are looking forward to Christmas!!

Thank you all so much for your good wishes and "cyber hugs" - we are all so grateful for them.
Margot,  Purdey and the rest of the mobxxxxx

Fantastic news! I couldn't be more pleased for you all! Your best Christmas present!

So gald to hear this Margot {{{Hugs}}} to Purdey.:D Gillian

Brilliant news Margot, am so pleased for you and Purdey

liberty 

Daisy

Sweep x

Margot I am so pleased for you all. I have been slowly going down the posts not wanting to get to the end but I am glad you will have Christmas and onwards with Purdey.

Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Gina xx

Wonderful news. Like Gina, I've been slowly going down the replies so I was so pleased to hear that the vet has given you more time with Purdey. What a special time too !. Have a fantastic Christmas - but remember to get in some extra bacon !!!.

Val

Great news!!

So pleased to hear your news
Merry Christmas

Jean

All the extra time we can have with them is great, specially at this time of yr :D

Christine, Spain.

Yes - we know that it isn't a cure - but anything to put off the evil day.....

Ordered more bacon!:D :D

Margot

Margot.

I am so glad to hear Purdey is still going to be with you and hope you all have a lovely Christmas.

Lucy
xx

Have a great christmas Margot

Loads of love, and extra special hugs for Purdey...she sounds so lovely!

Lisa xx

So, Santa does deliver the gift we really want sometimes! Way to go Santa :D

I know you will treasure your time with Purdey.

Kat

Yes, Purdey is really queening it at the moment :D    Normally, we would have brought Thor and Beau inside as the girls are in season, but we thought that she could do with a bit of "submissive" worship - she is still very much the Matriarch, and it seems as if she really enjoys Gypsy & Vinnie "sealing" along the floor to give her a kiss .   She has a new duvet - and you ought to her her tell the others off if they get on her throne!   

Thank you everyone for your concern - this is one of the benefits of Champdogs - we can really voice our fears on here and know that we are going to receive understanding and sympathy - my non-dog friends just say - oh dear - what a pity - still, she is old, isn't she?

Margot

I was so pleased to read Purdey's feeling better - may she be with you for a long time to come x

Yes - thank you, Purdey is coming along quite well - some days she will go out for 3 walks in the morning - and somedays, no thank you!   She is still eating well, and quite hapily waits for her medecine Metacam) each morning.

Next week, we collect our lab puppy - I always like to introduce the "newby" to the "oldie" - this puppy will carry a lot of Purdey's lines, and, with luck, will give Purdey a bit of a new lease of life.    Obviously she won't be allowed to torment Purdey, she will learn respect from the old girl, as the others have, and so life goes on.

Hopefully, the Metacam will continue to work - our vet reckons it is effective for about 3 months at a stretch, and by that time, the weather and pup will combine to give Purdey more time with us.    It's one day at a time - and one bacon sarnie at a time :D :D

Margot

Pleased to hear Purdey is coming on well

It's made my day.

Karen

Not only is she coming on well, Karen - she is now "doing us a favour" by finishing off the Quality Street! :D

Nik gave her a grooming today, and as the tin was on the settee (Nik???) she nudged it open.   Nik, being a big hulking softy got FIVE different ones out, laid them out on the floor - and got her to make her choice - and this really surprises me - she chose the toffee one (maybe she remembers the "chocolitis"  that she suffered from a couple of years ago).    He says she really enjoyed it - so then, he tried her again - toffee in one hand, chocolate in the other AND she chose the toffee one again.

Cant repeat the experiment though...... the Quality Street are finished now !

Shopping list gets longer for Purds - Metacam, bacon, baguettes, and now Quality Street - but there again - she's worth it!!

Margotxx

Well Margot I'll tell you what if she only eats the toffee quality street then I'll buy her a box it's a brilliant excuse for me to eat the rest

Karen