An Invernessian in America: I felt heartbroken and helpless due to pup's condition
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Thank you for the lovely reaction to my new weekly column; the messages I’ve received on social media have been really nice and such a pleasure to read.
But, there has been one overwhelming request. And the topic(s) in question have very squishy faces with lots of wrinkles.
Allow me to introduce Bowser and Barkley, my English bulldogs and the absolute loves of my life.
I call them mine, but I share them with my boyfriend Garrett (I love him too!). And Bowser was technically his until I came along a year-and-a-half ago and declared 50 per cent ownership.
These dogs have honestly been the greatest source of love and happiness I’ve ever known, and it really came out of nowhere.
When I was in Cradlehall Primary, we had a black lab called Ross. I don’t remember too much about him, but the memories I have are priceless. Like all pups, he loved food and used to lay under the dining table to catch any falling scraps as the family ate.
But one evening my dad locked him out, unbeknown to my brother Russell, who continued to casually drop the unwanted parts of his dinner onto the floor, expecting Ross to devour them. We all still laugh when we think of the pile of vegetables under the table!
When Ross passed away, we were all devastated. So devastated that my parents decided we couldn’t go through the loss again, so we never got another dog.
And, I will admit it, I never wanted one. I just had never been a real dog-lover and couldn’t quite understand the attraction.
The reaction when I’d tell people "Hmm, I don’t really like dogs" was always interesting to say the least.
But then I met Bowser... or his dad, should I say.
Bowser is going to be six in June and he is the greatest dog in the world.
He is full of energy, loves to chase lizards around the garden and is permanently stuck to my side whenever I’m cooking (again, scraps). But he loves to snuggle and has the funniest personality. A spoilt only-child – until now!
We brought home little eight-week-old Barkley in January and he has been the biggest, brightest ball of energy.
He is the most lovable little puppy and adores being around people. They both do. However, this may be the part you grab the tissues…
We noticed straight away that he had a slight limp in his front-left leg, but thought it might’ve been him just finding his feet, sliding on the floors, etc.
But over the weeks and months it only got worse, and we could even feel some kind of bone abnormality – it was almost like he had two elbows.
So, at 19 weeks old, we took him to see a specialist.
To cut a very long and emotional story short, he was diagnosed with congenital radial luxation.
Basically, his radius had never connected to the elbow joint and was growing outwards, completely disconnected from the rest of his bones.
I have never, ever cried so much in my life.
I have never felt so heartbroken and helpless (can you imagine what I’ll be like if I have kids?!).
The wee man had to undergo surgery immediately with a 50/50 chance of success.
But that was four weeks ago, and this week he finally gets the pins removed.
So I’ll update you next week (or on my social media if you follow me) but hopefully we’ll soon get our three-legged friend back on all four.
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