Weds 14th Dec: A day of disappointments

Momo was in a horrible condition when he first arrived

Today wasn't a good day in several ways, with baby foster puppies coming back rather than going out,  two of them totally unexpectedly, old golden retriever Momo ending his days finally, and then a message saying both Goofy and Echo will be returned immediately.  We have nowhere for them to go because the previous foster was going to have to hand them back last Sunday anyway, and it would be true to say that I am more than a little miffed.  It's got nothing to do with the doglets themselves or their behaviour because these are two wonderful characters, just a lack of forethought.

Goofy is so laid back and easy

Sweet Echo is in  urgent need of a home now

We're just happy that Momo enjoyed good times

There was also another rather dramatic situation with ex-breeder sharpei Carol, who had developed a blood-filled abscess which suddenly burst.  That in itself wouldn't be too serious, but the blood seeped down into her leg and there is a high chance that the skin on the leg will die and fall off.  A few years ago we had another case where this happened and it took many months, and skin grafts, for Iggy to heal.  Some of you may remember that case and Iggy being a long-term guest at Acorn.  You can expect to see Carol there for some time to come too, but I'm desperately hoping that the leg wound will heal without complications.

Iggy needed several skin grafts but is completely fine now

Carol may have to be in hospital for some time

With the New Year just round the corner I went through my dog files to see which Lamma dogs would need their rabies vaccinations in 2017, as I like to get them done all at once.  This means one of the Acorn vets and a nurse coming over for a few hours and having a mass vaccination drive on the beach, and every time I do this I'm shocked at how old the dogs are.  Can three years really pass in the blink of an eye? So many are now in their teens (in human years) and I expect this will be the last time they will be needing new licenses.

Dumpling is one of the very few small dogs still on Lamma and she is now very old