Teddy Keene
GOODBYE TO A VERY SPECIAL BOY (2003 to 16/10/2013)
Our beautiful and unique Teddy was the most laid-back dog we have ever known. After a very poor start in life, he had no reason to trust anybody but he trusted implicitly and took everything in his stride. His fan club quickly spread and he won hearts wherever he went. He was the groomer’s favourite client, the chiropractor’s and the vet’s most loveable patient.
Being with Teddy was a joy! He loved his life: playing, chasing , swimming and sleeping and took immediately to agility and retrieving. If there was no-one available to play with him, he would happily play on his own, throwing his toys for himself and rolling on them! He had a host of nicknames and responded to them all (when he felt like it), but his favourite word was tripe. That resulted in an immediate response.
After being diagnosed with insulinoma in 2011, Teddy had to be fed five times a day, with a snack every hour, a lifestyle he took to with relish. He would readily take his pills, one by one, and only ever turned his nose up at a particularly large one which would be spat out.
Our world revolved around Teddy’s needs and he repaid us with his love. He had a real sense of humour and the most beautiful, big brown eyes which were so expressive and would follow you without Teddy moving his head. We miss him so dreadfully and much of the light has gone from our lives.
Sleep peacefully, darling Dogger. There will never be another one like you.”
Love Shirley, Graham & Christopher xxx
Time to say “Goodbye” 16th October 2013
Teddy is now reunited with his best friend, Sadie, who passed over to Rainbow Bridge in April 2012. He leaves behind a devastated family and heartbroken special Aunties Sandra and Pauline.
Shirley told us “It is with tremendous sadness that I have to tell you that Teddy died early this morning of a twisted gut. He was fine until about midnight when he started “heaving” and bringing nothing up. This continued off and on until Graham called the vet at about 4.30 am but, when he arrived, Teddy had died.
I cannot believe it – it happened so quickly – and we are in shock. Teddy was loved by everyone he met and didn’t deserve this after all he had been through.
There will never be another one like him.
Thank you for giving shelter and love to Teddy. He repaid all our kindnesses thousands of times over.”
His wonderful owners did all they could for Teddy including making the long trek up from Cornwall to see Nick Thompson in Bath when their own vet was not able to suggest any more different treatments for him. With Nick’s holistic help, alongside continued conventional methods, and the most fantastic care from Shirley and Graham, Teddy has gone on for another two extremely happy and reasonably healthy years.
Teddy bravely managed to overcome the loss of his beloved aunty, Sadie, 18 months ago and with his usual happy, outgoing personality, despite a few hiccups, has lived an almost normal life especially as, for him, eating little and often was regarded as a delightful treat rather than a chore. He was a typical Golden Retriever and a fantastic ambassador for his breed.
Our hearts go out to Shirley, Graham and Christopher at this very sad time. All who knew Teddy, loved him. Goodbye, special boy.
TEDDY and SADIE’S STORY
SADIE and TEDDY (previously known as Katie & Blaise) who are aunty and nephew were surrendered to us because of a change in family circumstances.
They were fostered together in London by Sandra who gradually gained their trust. We knew they had to have an extra special home where they could stay together as they were totally inseparable. They found this with Shirley, Graham and Christopher in Cornwall where they have the beach practically at the end of their back garden. Teddy quickly settled well but Sadie took a lot of gentle guidance and TLC before she could totally relax. Fortunately, her new family were patient and kind and, eventually, she realised this home really was forever.
SADIE AND TEDDY ON THEIR HOLIDAYS 2007
Sadie and Teddy had a wonderful time running and playing with Lynne and Pauline’s dogs and were very happy to meet up again with their foster mum, Sandra.
WORRYING NEWS
Teddy has been very poorly but, with the help of Nick Thompson as well as that of his usual vet, his symptoms seem to be under control. He is having lots of small energy-boosting meals which he regards as something of a treat. Despite his illness, he has remained a very happy and loving boy.
THE MOST DEVASTATING NEWS (19th APRIL 2012)
Teddy (who was now 9yrs) was still doing fine, with loads of energy and his own hilarious antics. Sadie, however, has been a very poorly girl.
A couple of weeks ago, on a Saturday night, the dogs went into the garden for their final visit. Sadie didn’t want to come in and her back legs collapsed. She was in a lot of pain – almost yelping with it – so they called the vet who said she had hurt her back which could be a result of arthritis (spondylosis) or a disc problem. Sadie was given tramadol and lexicom and a steroidal injection which, in itself, was extremely painful and heartrending to hear.
Over the next week, with a lot of rest and quiet, she seemed to be making progress, so much so that she was lying in the garden a lot as the weather was so nice. However, last Friday there was a loud yelp from the bank at the side of the garden. Sadie had obviously felt better enough to do some of her favourite “rooting about” and had hurt herself again, putting things back to square one.
The vet prescribed diazepam to get Sadie to calm down and prednisolone which she has been on since. When she did move, so painfully, her back was almost arched. By Thursday Sadie lost the use of her back legs. On Thursday 19th April, the vet visited again and when he examined Sadie, there was no refractory response in her hindquarters. In view of her history of arthritis, the vet was fairly sure she had ankylosing spondylosis and, even if there had been a disc problem which could have been operated on, he still felt her prognosis was poor.
Although there was the option of taking her to Newquay to see an orthopaedic specialist, there was so much doubt as to the outcome of any investigations or surgery. She would have had to stay there for several days, alone, with nobody she knew, and, after all that, there was the possibility she wouldn’t have come home again. She was in so much pain and, given her history, such a separation would have been devastating for Sadie and her family felt this would be betraying her trust so Sadie went calmly to Rainbow Bridge with her family gently stroking her and talking to her.