Lilibet (named after Queen Elizabeth II) came into one of the Fantastic Dog Pounds we deal with on a constant basis. She is, what is believed to be a 10-year-old cream Golden Retriever, in a pretty filthy state, though not the worst state we have ever seen. She was extremely overweight but has trimmed down considerably. She is the sweetest soul who is devoted to Nana, my mischievous Staffie. When she was collected from the Dog Pound, Nana came too. Nana is great at discerning what is needed and is wonderful at reassurance. When Nana saw Lilibet she smelled her and covered her face with kisses, as if to say, you are safe, you are going home, we will look after you. Lilibet is a sweet, gentle soul, who gets on with everyone and everything and is completely submissive to all. She jumps up and down like a gazelle when wanting to get attention. Her teeth were horrendous and needed to be seen to and it was decided that we would get her spayed at the same time.
Never in my wildest dreams did I know what I was letting myself in for.
Never in my wildest dreams did I know what I was letting myself in for. The happy little soul went off wagging her tail to the Vet to be spayed and in the afternoon I got a call after the operation. The poor Vet was not the best for it. She almost died. ‘What happened?’ Every time the vet went to clamp an area, an area he hadn’t even touched, bled. She is what we term in Rescue, ‘a Factory Bitch’ – that is, a Bitch that is bred every season inside and out, until her poor body gives out. it is worse than a Puppy Farmed Bitch as they aren’t normally are bred every cycle. The Vet thought Lilibet had had between 12-15 litters which would have been large litters. She is not a big girl, a wee little thing with a bright smile and a wagging tail. Three Vets and a Nurse had to be called in to assist. It was the most complicated surgery he had ever experienced, and this Vet was very experienced! ‘Look, all I ask is that you do your best, no more – the rest, is up to the Lord Himself.’ I asked was it the right thing to do, ‘absolutely’ if she had got pyometra she wouldn’t have survived. Her poor body is just too spent.
The first night after surgery was hairy I will admit and would tell if she would survive, but Nana, my faithful soul, stayed with her throughout the night, licking her and finally snoring in her ear and the very fact that Lilibet felt surrounded by her sisters and family who loved her was enough for her to recover. She isn’t fully recovered yet, but she is on the way. So, Lilibet will stay with me to be loved forever, she is too fragile to send to the UK and IRR wouldn’t take the risk, especially after her surgery. So, I am, once again, the recipient of another wonderful soul. The adoption fee was paid and so she is home for, however, long or short that may be.
So, Lilibet will stay with me to be loved forever, she is too fragile to send to the UK and IRR wouldn’t take the risk, especially after her surgery.
Lilibet was well named after a great person who served her country without thought for herself. Lilibet will live up to her namesake. She is gentle, tough when required, resilient and good to all those who have the privilege of knowing her.