Old Mr. Tickles

So we headed off to bring him "Home to Heathlawn" and after a much needed bath (the only word to describe the smell is putrid and we have smelt many bad smells over the years) and straight to our vets to see just what if anything could be done for this poor boy.

Where do we start ?

*Mr.Tickles as we have named him is an old, old boy, possibly 13/14.

*He has an infection in both eyes 

*He has a mouth full of rotting teeth that must be causing him immense pain 

*He also has a perineal hernia which will need surgery

*But unfortunately he has a raging heart murmer too 

*His skin is itchy and painful with a dirty, greasy coat though his tail is hairless.

*He is weak and underweight 

*He is, as to be expected, somewhat deaf

*His eyes see enough but they are old and tired eyes

We felt deflated faced with all that was wrong and our biggest concern was putting Mr. Tickles under anesthetic with the state of his heart but its surgery he needs (hernia and teeth) for him to be comfortable and pain free for whatever time he may have left (weeks, months, years??)

We put him to bed he buried his head down between his paws and turned his back to us ...

The next morning, whilst he may not have heard us as we entered Pacos Den, the smell of roast chicken soon had him up and it was a happy head and waggy tail that trotted over to us for his breakfast and after that it was a more alert Mr. Tickles who asked to go toilet and who seemed to really enjoy his potter around our field.

Now we feel less deflated, in fact we are feeling a lot more positive about our sweet little older gent Mr Tickles. If we can build him up a little over the next week and he still seems happy to be here, still seems like he has fight left in him then we will take the chance of giving him back a future and a life filled with love and hope and get him the veterinary care he needs to go forward.

And all we can do is pray that he makes it through. The bottom line is that he cannot live happily and comfortably without that chance.

So who owned Mr Tickles ?

He has no collar and no chip.

And whilst we try to remain without judgement it becomes harder every time we have to pick up the pieces of someone else's doing.

We know some may read this and say that perhaps it's an older person or someone without money or someone who has fell on hard times that owned Mr. Tickles.

We have heard it all before and to be quite honest we are fed up of "excuses".

We know plenty of good, responsible dog owners who are elderly.

We know plenty who are working minimum wage yet always find a way to care for their dog.

We know more who have fallen on hard times yet made sure their beloved pet was taken care of.

There really are no excuses good enough to allow your dog to be so neglected, left to grow old in pain and misery, none. 

Or was Mr Tickles driven away from where he previously lived and was dumped ?

Plenty are. Maybe an owner/family member/neighbour will read this post and know exactly who and where Mr Tickles came from. But will they speak up?

We doubt it. No one ever does.

But we will.

We will always be the voice for these defenceless, beautiful, unappreciated souls who deserve so much more.

Cruelty comes in many forms. The sad part is it comes into our rescue way too often.

For now Mr. Tickles is eating well and enjoying his new living arrangements. We introduced him to the sofa and he has decided its a great place to chill.

However, we would love to find Mr. Tickles a long term foster home. One not too far away so we can still get him to our vets next week in Nenagh and one that would, hopefully, look to hold onto him for whatever time he may have left. All veterinary care and costs for Mr. Tickles will, of course, be covered by GalwaySPCA always.

Please keep Mr Tickles in your thoughts as he heads into this new chapter of his life. We promise to keep everyone updated on his progress and let you all know when he is going for his surgery.

If you can spare a few euros towards Mr. Tickles upcoming surgeries we would be so very, very grateful ....

P.S. He may also need a chicken allowance too 

Thank You