Hi Chris,

A bit of a nightmare day yesterday. Drove 50 minutes to the vets in Portugal and left my babes with them. He then had to have x-rays on both his knees to make sure the pins were ready to come out. The one on his left knee is ready to come out, in fact that one is giving him quite a lot of pain as it is pushing against his skin. But the right one isnt ready yet and the vet said his knee is still a bit unstable. So they wouldnt operate! With him being so small and fragile (he only weighs 2.9 kilos) they want to take both pins out at the same time to save him having to have two lots of anasthetic. So we are having to wait three weeks before they will do the operation. So After being in the vets for six hours he came away with plenty of painkillers!

Sam

Oh Sam, what a horrible day for you and your boy!

I can understand why they don't want to give him two lots of anaesthetic, but another 3 weeks of waiting must seem like forever to you.
The pin in the left knee sounds a bit uncomfortable for the poor lad, but hopefully the painkillers will keep him relatively OK until the (next) "big day."

The vets obviously know what they're doing, and they wouldn't leave your dog in such a condition that he was in unbearable pain - I guess the poor little fella is just going to have to keep resting for a bit longer.
No doubt he's being exceptionally well looked after and pampered!

The very best of luck to the two of you, and please do keep us posted as to how he gets on.

Thinking of you,
Sam x

Many thanks to all of you who expressed sympathy about Pepe.

Spot doesn't seem so excitable and barking-mad (literally) at the moment, but is at least eating his food now (he stopped eating during Pepe's last week, the same as Pepe did).

I'm keeping busy getting loads of my gadgets and bits & pieces prepared for eBay listing - its a 10p Thursday tomorrow so hope to get some of it out the way over the next 2 weeks

Ahhh sorry to hear that Sam, it must have been so dissappointing for you as you were so looking forward to your little boy getting back to normal. What's his name by the way? (if you don't mind me asking!) I am sure you will be giving him plenty of TLC for the next 3 weeks, and no less than he deserves, poor little chap! Give him a BIG (but gentle) kiss and a hug from his auntie Chris and tell him she wishes him better, and will be looking forward to seeing some nice up to date pictures when he's had his operation and is feeling better!
Chris OXO

Hi Chris,

My dogs name is also Sam lol. He was 2 when we got him so we didnt think we could really change his name. But I am known as Sammy to all my friends and family so its not too bad.

Sam

Hi Sam! How is little Sammy doing today? Hope you have both gotten over your expedition to and from the vet! I know it must have been a dissappointment, and am sure you must be both longing and dreading Sammy's pins coming out. But keep your chin up, another day has passed and am sure the next few weeks will pass quickly for you! Thinking of you both!
Chris XXX

Hi everyone - have just put my washing out and it's about to pee down. Oh well, que sera!
Does anyone here know any GSD Breeders (preferably english - my spanish is muy poquito este momento!) in the vicinity of Malaga, Marbella, Antequera or around about this region?
I am not looking to buy a puppy but would welcome advice about breeding and would be interested in maybe getting involved with them hopefully I could meet someone with an interest in mentoring me. I have tried accessing the Spanish Kennel Club, but gave up the ghost having looked at the site and not finding what I was looking for.
I'd welcome any info. Thanks.

I will be moving to Spain, Costa Calida area shortly. I have 2 toy Poodles and 2 cats. I dont want to be apart from them so I was thinking of the channel tunnel then driving down to Spain, but I am a pensioner and the thought of all that driving on my own is frightening! but I wont fly with them as the vet says it will be too stressful as they have never been away from me.
I considered the ferry Portsmouth/Bilbau but was told I must leave them in the car and not return during the trip! I cant do that! they will pine dreadfully. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? have you successfully taken your dog to Spain? I just need to be with them or able to see them when I want. Please help! I am desperate!

Hello angiemx5,could you not get a friend to drive down with you and share the driving,if I lived a bit close I would help.......have you any relatives that could help? there are a lot of people on here that have taken their pets to Spain,Im sure you will receive loads of suggestions,when are planning on going?I think you have no option but to use the tunnel if you need to be with them all of the time,perhaps there is another person on here that wants to move over that could help,I hope you have some luck.Best Wishes

Hi jandy 44, many thanks for replying, its the first time ive used the site. Sadly I dont have anyone here, parents dead, my children grown and have their own lives now.
I will drive if I need to, but I will try to find someone to help.
Someone has told me that as I live in Poole, I may be better going to Cherbourg by fast ferry then drive down stopping for the night somewhere, but how do I find hotels etc that will take the pets for the night? Oh dear, its all problems!
Are you moving to spain as well? Have you got pets to take?
I will look forward to getting some replies, maybe I will find the solution I need.
again many thanks for your help.

In Spain there are every day more hotels that allow pets. Visit this web http://www.galeon.com/ayudaanimales/hoteles.htm
You will be able to find the information about this hotels. Good luck

Hi again,welcome to the forum,Im sure you will have lots of comments soon,we will be moving to Spain and taking our George,my boxer dog,I think we will opt for the tunnel,we live in the north.I believe that not all ferry lines will take pets,you would have to check.What part of Spain are you moving to?we are hoping to go down to Andalucia.I can reasure you that it is a really nice drive down though,I do hope you can sort this problem out,Im sure something will turn up.Speak again soon.

Angie, we drive regularly back and forwards from the UK and we always take our dogs. The only ferry company that won't take the dogs as far as I know is P & O on the Portsmouth to Bilbao run as it is too long a trip and they have no facilties for them. Britney Ferries from Plymouth to Santander have a 22 hour crossing, but have a dedicated space for the dogs and you can go and see them when you need to. We usually travel from Dover to Calais with P & O it's only a couple of hours and the dogs are fine in the car (they aren't allowed up on deck). All the Formule 1 hotels in France and their like allow dogs in the hotels and rooms. Most of the other hotels in France do too, it's not like England where they are considered vermin!! Also in Spain, the hotels generally allow them although the hostals don't always, but if you start looking early enough in the evening a couple of refusals won't be a worry. Best of luck anyway. The weather here at the moment is awful but it is sure to clear up soon, I think they are saying from Saturday onwards, let's hope so, am getting fed up with constant rain. Take care.

Heres my little boy after his day at the grooming salon. He was a bit shocked at his long locks being shaved off lol.

Hi Sam! I loved the picture, Sammy is such a little cutey! I haven't been on the forum much over the last couple of weeks, and am amazed at how the time has flown! Just checked the date of your post when Sammy couldn't have his pins out, and it must be nearly time now! Have you taken him to the vet yet, or have you still got to go? Kiss big hug for Sammy!
Chris XXX