Hi all, I too am curious as to how well dogs settle, When I decend on your shores I shall be bringing 3 of mans best friends with me! good tip about the poison, Does poisoning happen often??. I am lucky that I work in a vets at the mo so no vets bill for me and pet passports for next to nowt!!!!

Mmmm yes I think your right,has I said before if he has someone to care for him at the farm then I think he may be happier left,he will have his space and your Dad to look out for.Best of luck with you travels

Thanks once again

I see you have a dog in your thumbnail photo - if you take it to Spain with you I know a pretty good dog-walker that always brings them home exhausted

Cheers,I have a boxer hes called George,it dosent take much to wear him out these days due to two ops on his rear left leg,he will be going to Spain when we eventually get there.Mind you the way things are going he will proberly be in doggy heaven by the time we manage to move.Its a long story.........

That is where Pepe was having most problems - if it hadn't been for this new development with his kidneys I was going to build him a trundle-trolley for his rear end so he could still go for walks even if his legs stopped fully supporting him.
Maybe I can get a commission from George instead?

Jeeeez I hope he never needs one of them,I once saw a dog on the beach at Bridlington with a trolly,he seemed to cope with it fine,I dont seem to have a lot of luck,my last dog Ben was involved in a accident and he lost a back leg,he was OK though and lived a long life......Im not to sure after George there will be another

Hi all!
I meant to ask this before but forgot (too busy looking at all those lovely doggy photos!)
Does anyone take out pet insurance in Spain? We have Josh covered at the moment (touch wood he will never need it!) but don't recall having seen this mentioned before. If not could you tell me why, and if so, any ideas as to how much a GSD would be to get covered?
Thanks guys!
Chris XXX

It is amazing how well animals adapt to disabilities, unlike some people they just get on with life.

The 2 dogs I had when Pepe arrived disappeared one day whilst out roaming and we eventually heard on the grapevine that a cantankerous neighbouring farmer had shot them

Pepe had as always returned home early. I got Spot later because Pepe wasn't too happy on his own. Once Spot arrived, although he's twice the weight of Pepe, Pepe took charge of him and wouldn't let him go ahead on walks

Hi Chrisw,this is something I hadnt thought of either,there is a lot of dog/cat owners about ,so we will have a answer soon

We've not got our pip insured and none of our friends that have animals here have them insuranced either.

However, there are pet insurances available here if you want them.

Thanks Martha! I had a feeling that most people didn't take out pet insurance, and thought maybe vet treatment might be cheaper and therefore not so popular. Would you say the vets charge less there than in the UK?

My stomach is churning now as my little babes is going in the doggy hospital in the morning to have his pins taken out of his knees I just hope the recovery time is quick so he can get back to normal. This has been one hell of a time for him these last few months.

Sam

Oh Sam, I do hope everything goes ok for you both,I get in a terrible state when George has to got to hospital, your little babe he,s been through so much,just try to think of it as the last hurdle,I know its not easy,I wish you all the best for tomorrow,Im sure he will be ok

Well, Pepe lasted through the weekend although by last night he was too weak to get up.

I had the vet out first thing this morning and he was given an overdose of anaesthetic, took about 5 seconds. He was laid on the grass in the sun with the birds tweeting, was emotionally so much better than taking him into a sterile surgery, and then having to return with his body.

Spot inspected the grave and I could see he realised what was going on. I've taken him for three walks today because he's subdued. Discussed it with father and we're agreed that if Spot begins to mope father will get a young pup and Spot will say with him and the pup.

Some weird feelings. Pleased I was able to end Pepe's suffering with the injection rather than leaving him to expire naturally.
My Gran died at xmas aged 97 of the same problem, kidney failure, and they left her to starve/dehydrate and I vowed I'd never let that happen to anyone I care about.

It was surreal wrapping him in his favourite bath-towel for burial, expecting him to try and fight his way out as he always did after a bath

Sad that I'll miss his mischievous ways but I do have quite a few videos and cheerful photographs if I start moping

I know its a serious thread and a good one at that but the title still makes me want to break into a joke!