Dèjá Vuz

Although my visits to vets were always upsetting, they had become an accepted way of life.

It was still very upsetting when I was left there and this time was no different. Dad was with us when we went to the hospital this time, and he was the one who tried to put me in the cage.

I fought and cried but eventually I had to go in. Mum was crying and she went out, but dad stayed with me until I calmed down, then he left also.

I was shaved, bathed and dried then taken back to the cage. Food was brought, but again I would not eat. Mum had given me one of my soft toys and I lay there with my head resting on it. I could smell mum and dad but it was little comfort.

Next day I was given the injection to make me sleep and I knew nothing more for a long time. When I woke, I was in the cage, drip in my leg, blanket over me, and mum and dad were there. They couldn't both get in the cage with me, so they took turns to sit with me, my head in their laps.

When they left, the nurse gave me another injection and the next thing I knew, it was morning. Food was offered but I wasn't interested, I just wanted to go home.

Soon mum and dad came, dad lifted me in to the back of the car, got in beside me, and off we went.

It was the same routine all over again when we got home. No walks for a month, mum sleeping on the floor downstairs with me, weekly visits from my usual vet.

After returning once more to the hospital for one day, the task of getting fit began again. This time it felt different though.

The last time I had still suffered a little discomfort in the hip which had just been replaced, so I was not in any hurry to dash around. Now there was none of that, and I was impatient to be off and running.

It was hard for mum trying to keep me calm and settled this time and I must have stretched her patience to the limit, especially when I ran off up the front steps once, instead of waiting for dad to carry me!

We got through it though, and in time I was running with my buddies once more.

It felt great to run, especially with my new friend Bella. She was a greyhound and did nothing but run. Hard as I tried, I never could catch her, but hey, trying was great fun!

Everything settled in to a routine, new places to visit, new friends to make and squirrels to chase!

It seemed my life was complete now. Everything a dog could need or want, I had. Mum and dad had always paid me lots of attention. Every time they walked passed me they patted and spoke to me, never once was I ever ignored. I returned their love with all I had to give.

For three years nothing changed and it seemed nothing ever would. Then I started to get pain in my front legs. It wasn't too bad to begin with, but over the next few weeks it got worse.

Again mum took me to the vet and he tried different treatments. They would work for a little while, but never for long. It was osteo-arthritis and shoulder replacements were mentioned.

Because I was now 10, mum said it would not be fair to put me through any more lengthy operations, especially considering the recovery time involved.

Now I could only run for very short periods again. It was hard seeing my friends rushing around, not being allowed to join in much.

I learned to accept it and eventually I was happy just to wander around quietly with mum and some of my less active friends. Over time some of the older ones had gone and I missed them, but I still had most of them.

They seemed to sense I couldn't run with them now and were always gentle when they came to see me.

Now I am 11 and can't walk great distances. I still enjoy going in to the field to say hello, but I have learned not to go mad like I used to!

For a few hours three days a week, mum lets one of my friends, Amy, come to stay. It is nice to have some doggie company, especially on the bad days when I don't see any of them.

Mum puts my bed at the top of the back steps when the weather is good, and I lie and watch people going by, sometimes with dogs. She still takes me to the field and some days I can go most of the way around, others not. Mum and dad seem to know when it is a bad day and take care to see I don't do too much.

Looking back over my life, I can't help thinking how much it changed the day I first saw them. Sometimes bad memories come back in my dreams, but mum and dad are always there to wake me up from them and make me feel safe.

I may not be able to do the things I used to, but mum and dad do everything they can to help me. They have cared for me, loved me and never let me suffer. I know that they will always do the very best they can for me.

I love them for that.