Day 234 of Ania's Diary

Summer has arrived today and it has been hot. I went to the field at 8am and had a hard job to get Ania home. If I had know she would have had her cool coat on.
This afternoon I put Ania's cool coat on and drove to the woods. This is the first time we have done this as her days of walking there are over. It was in complete shade and it was perfect. Ania could not stop wagging her tail, she was just so pleased to be back on one of her favourite walks.

We had a very slow walk and she had to lie down, in a patch of mud of course and halfway through drank half a bottle of water.
This evening Ania managed to eat all of her dinner properly which was good and she is now exhausted and fast asleep.
It is hard on Abby and Fudge as our walks are so slow but they are being very patient and although eager to get going will wait for Ania.

Day 233 of Ania's Diary

We are all shattered. Not a good journey home last night. I do not know what was going on in Cornwall yesterday as the road conditions were good but there were so many accidents.
After hitting a lot of traffic I then progressed onto the main A30 to find it blocked by a police car and yet another accident. This meant a split decision on which way to go but whichever was going to be a long diversion along with a lot of other traffic. Although evening the sun was shining in our eyes and Ania was beginning to gasp. it did not help that Fudge was moaning and there was just nowhere that I could possibly stop. We have never been more thankful to be home once again.
Ania has done nothing but sleep apart from her walks and she seemed to be so pleased to be home.
Even the smell of cheese at lunchtime did not tempt her in to the kitchen.
We shall go for a short walk very soon and then hope that  Ania will eat this evening.
I am hoping that by tomorrow we will all feel a bit better and not so tired as today.

I am looking forward to seeing the sea. As much as I love the country I do miss the sea.

Day 232 of Ania's Diary

We were ready to travel home early this morning but on checking the travel news found that the main road was blocked because of an accident. It was not cleared until lunchtime and by this time the sun was shining and it was far too warm for  Ania. We will now hope to travel this evening when the roads hopefully will be a little quieter and it is a bit cooler.
Ania is eating but on our morning walk she was very slow. I think she wants to go home.
Whenever we go to the fields Ania carries a toy in the shape of a newspaper and I have had a succession of them since she was a puppy. This morning she dropped it and Fudge carried it all the way back. If he dared to do this before she would always bark until I took it off him but not today.
We will go across the fields shortly and I will see how Ania is then.
Fudge went out 6 times last night as he had drunk so much water, dogs have to stay on a lead so it was a very interrupted evening.

Day 232 of Ania's Diary

Ania ate her breakfast but prior to that we had one of the slowest walks ever. She slept all morning and then we had a couple of hours of heavy rain.
When it clear I mentioned Stover park to the other half and that was it- Ania was alert.
It is so cold and windy here as well but we decided to go. It was the perfect weather for Ania and she loved it. We stopped after 15 minutes for a rest and a drink of water but Ania was eager to be off. In fact we did the walk in record time.
There were lovely baby ducks who insisted on coming out of the water to us and we had to shoo them back in the water in case the dogs got at them.
The nesting swan seems to have moved to another spot which is most unusual.
We missed the rain and got back just in time before another heavy shower came .
The dogs have eaten all their dinner and are now very contented and fast asleep which I am delighted about.

Fudge will be a nuisance though as he never stops drinking and I will have to take him out at least 4 times as the evening progresses but am lucky he will then sleep through the night.

Day 231 of Ania's Diary

Typical bank holiday weather, freezing cold and now pouring with rain. I just managed to get the dogs walked across the field before the rain came in.
Ania has been poorly today and would eat nothing, not even the food I prepared myself. This morning I made a lamb casserole and am relieved to say that Ania has very slowly eaten some. It is now an effort for her to eat and she seems so miserable.
This morning Ania had a nasty coughing fit and I had to work the acupressure on her. This worked well and the massage on her throat and after that she has not choked since.
Walking across the fields I met a lady from the village and this inspired Ania to walk and she even got to the bottom of the field and back and now that she has eaten I am hoping that she will be a lot better.
We will not travel home tonight as it is heavy rain so will stay until Wednesday at the very latest.
There is nothing worse than packing up in the rain.

Day 230 of Ania's Diary

I am so pleased today. It has been very warm but I brought Ania's cool coat with me and she was able to go for a walk and be comfortable. By this afternoon the wind had got up which kept it cooler and we walked slowly along the riverbank which she enjoyed.
I cooked scrambled eggs, sausages and veg. and Ania ate the lot. I am going to have to give up on even soaking the dried food as it still must feel dry to her. I have a much happier dog today. so now I will have to spend my time cooking.
When we get home I am going to have to cut Ania's coat really short which will break my heart but we have to keep her cool.
My grandson has broken both his wrists so we are staying on for a few days too see how he gets on when he goes back to the hospital. He is not a happy teenager as he cannot even eat his food.
Fudge has been naughty and rolled in a dead rabbit this afternoon so had to be cleaned all over with wet wipes so I was not too happy with him.

Day 229 of Ania's Diary

This morning we had a very slight frost which soon cleared but it was very cold.
Ania was only able to walk through the 2 fields this morning and we could not go far this afternoon as the tractors were collecting the silage . Any day now the cows will go into the field and that will be the end of our perfect walks until November.
It is a great worry. All Ania's food is pureed but her Royal Canin

biscuits are well soaked but for the past 3 days she just cant manage to eat them. This is a great worry, she cant afford to lose any weight as she has not regained a lot since her anorexia. I need to bulk up the food and she wont eat the soft food I have bought. Apart from this she is a basically happy dog.
This afternoon Ania has even barked at some visiting dogs on the site which is something I do not want her to do.
Fudge has been very good and we are lucky as we are away from the children and their football which he hates so much.

Day 228 of Ania's Diary

Ania is so much brighter today. this morning she bounced through the fields and we usually turn back after the second but not today, she did the 3. The fields were being  cut for silage this afternoon which means any day the cows will return for the summer so we went off to our favourite Stover Park. Ania did so well and only wanted a short drink and did not even want to have a rest.
We do have a problem though, I always soak Ania's food to make it soft but she now has difficulty in swallowing and did not even want to eat this morning. I have cooked some minced beef with rice and  veg and slowly cooked it all to absorb the gravy  and hope she will manage it later. She is already underweight and cannot afford to lose any more weight.
I am hoping all will be well and I cant mash the food down any more than I do already.

Day 227 of Ania's Diary

It is bitterly cold here and the wind is cruel . To my mind Ania seems well but we have been to another vets and Ania has had her acupuncture with electro this time, this should apparently last a lot longer. This afternoon Ania has slept and tonight I have a night off from the acupuncture.
The vet agrees that if it is too hot she will not live through the summer but if all goes well could go on for another year which would be marvellous. Every day is a bonus for us.
The sun is shining through the caravan window and is so warm and it is beautiful. The dogs are all sleeping peacefully with Ania tucked well away from the sun.
We have only had a little walk today as Ania is so tired but the other 2 are glad to be out of this wind.

Day 226 of Ania's Diary

Today we have been to Stover and this is the entrance to part of the woods. To the right hand side runs a meandering stream. It is very beautiful with the sun glinting through the trees.
It was a nightmare getting there as Ania was so excited and kept barking . By the time we got there she had to have a drink and catch her breath. There is just something magical about this place.
Luckily there a couple of benches to sit on so we had to keep stopping to give Ania a rest. She loved it though and Fudge was able to have a good run in the woods with nothing to bother him.
Although lovely and sunny it has been very cold.
The dogs are now all fast asleep and very happy. Ania has now stopped gasping and is sleeping peacefully.

Day 225 of Ania's Diary

I have been in Exeter for most of the day while the other half looked after the dogs. We had it cold and windy whilst here the sun shone, how two places can differ.
Ania seems very well although it was warm walking across the field and so she has not eaten her tea. I hope that she will eat later when it is cooler.
Fudge cries when I am not there and has not slept for the day so now he is fast asleep.
Every evening I have been taking the dogs across the fields, last night Ania could not go as she was too exhausted. I am hoping that Fudge will be too tired to go tonight. At home I would not feel safe going out in the evening but this is a very nice village and we do want to take advantage whilst the cows are not here.

Day 223 & 224 of Ania's Diary

I was just too tired to put the computer on yesterday. I was up at 5.30am and I packed the car, walked the dogs and up we came to the caravan. The dogs were so thrilled to be back. This time I have come prepared and have Ania's cool coat with me in case it gets too hot.
Yesterday we had rain and the grass in the fields are very long, they will probably be cut for silage before the cows are put in to them. We then shall not be able to walk through them as Fudge can find his way under the stiles to get to chase them as I have found to my cost twice before.
Today the weather has been varied but now the sun is shining. Ania has managed to walk through 2 fields and back but it has been very slow progress. she is quite lively but very tired and is already fast asleep on the bed.. She will not be left behind .
Thursday we will take Ania to the new vets so it will be interesting to hear what she has to say.
Buttercups in the fields on our walks. The fields are carpeted with them and they are beautiful.

Day 222 of Ania's Diary

Ania had a restless night but for no apparent reason and kept wandering from her basket to her quilt on the landing.
We were up bright and early and Ania just knows when it is Saturday and she will be going off to meet her doggy friends. The excitement is really too much for her and she had to be calmed down before we started.
It was a bright sunny morning and Ania kept trying to get the titbit's out of the other owners pockets.
We kept having a break and in between the walk we stopped of for a very welcome cup of coffee at the beach cafe. This gave Ania the strength to continue and also us an excuse for a good chat.
On the cliff path we looked across the sea and in the distance saw a pod of dolphins which was a bonus.
Tomorrow I hope to be up bright and early and off to the caravan for Ania to visit the vets in Devon later in the week. To think the last time we were there we thought was going to be her very last.
This time we shall not stop so long.

Day 221 of Ania's Diary

Ania is doing well. She is a lot happier now I have taken a lot of her coat off so I shall know what to do in future. When we are out in the field she is now trying to run but is gasping badly. This does not seem to deter her now and there has not been much choking this week thank goodness. We hope she will continue to be better like this.
An hour ago we had a university student come to take some photos of the dogs for her project and Ania is always so excited to see people and this also makes her gasp badly. Now she is exhausted after the excitement. You can see how she has the sense to keep her head up on something which helps her to breathe a lot better.
Abby's ears are vastly improved but we have to keep putting the drops in for the next 10 days.
To my horror is smoothing Fudge down this morning and found a tick in his coat which I hastily removed . It is early in the year to get them and we nearly always pick them up in Devon not down here.
The dogs have had a full flea treatment today, we are taking no chances.

Day 220 of Ania's Diary

Ania is much livelier. Even though her breathing is bad she is a lot happier , especially with all her fur much shorter.
Today Ania has only had one session of acupuncture. Abby who never has to go to the vet developed 2 very sore ears, virtually overnight. I spent half the night trying to get her to stop scratching. So off to the vets for us again were they were surprised as they are used to seeing Ania and Fudge. Why this has happened we have no idea as Abby never suffers with anything to do with her ears. She was still able to have a gentle bath and a careful clip today along with Fudge. A good job done for another month. it is a major operation to do them all.
Ania got so excited this morning as she thought she was going out in the car. The excitement does her no good at all and she starts barking which makes it even worse. I had to leave her behind which was such a shame.

Day 219 of Ania's diary

Well today we have struggled with bathing and clipping Ania. It is unbelievable that I only clipped her 4 weeks ago and her fur was so long. She hates it, especially her feet. My husband tried to hold her on his lap, no mean feat and her breathing became so bad and she started choking. The days of taking hours to get it to perfection are over. It still took nearly 2 hours with me trying to calm her in between. There was a very little walk this afternoon and she is now actually sleeping very peacefully in the chair with her head up on the arm of the chair which helps her to breathe a lot better.
Tonight Ania will sleep in her woolly coat in case it is as cold as it was last night. Afterwards it always makes Ania feel a lot better. I am gradually making Ania's ears shorter, they were her crowning glory but she does not need all that weight to carry around with her.

Fudge and Abby have been worried but are now relaxing but it will be their turn to be bathed and clipped tomorrow.

Day 218 of Ania's Diary

This photo was taken yesterday when the weather was better. Today has been horrendous. The rain is relentless and the wind is getting up. We are forecast a gale force 9 tonight. It is bitterly cold and the dogs and I have got drenched out on only 2 walks today. Just now the field was flooded and there is no end in sight for the next few days. The temperature has gone down to 8 degrees. It is hard to believe that 2 weeks ago we were in Devon in blazing sunshine.
Ania had a difficult night breathing and was a little restless. Today she has choked a little but I have worked the acupressure last night and again this morning and she is easier although at times depending on the way she lies her breathing has become very noisy.
My husband spent ages brushing the dogs only for me to get them very wet just now.
Today should have been bathing and clipping day but it just would have been a waste of time but I will have to get it done before the end of the week.

Day 217 of Ania's Diary

I have been sewing. This time a bag for me. I found the material whilst in Devon and could not resist the dogs. I do like to have something different and am very pleased with the way it has turned out.
Now I have started sewing I am inspired once again.
Ania was so well that I decided to cut her acupressure down to once a day. That was a big mistake as this afternoon when we went out she was gasping more than normal and could not walk so far. On coming home her breathing has been laboured. As soon as she wakes up I will work on her again.
It is bitterly cold here and the heating has been on all day.
Fudge still has sore eyes as every day we have the wind which catches them.
Very unusually Abby has been sick and was not herself. She has a sore ear so it has been bathed with some very gentle olive oil.

Day 216 of Ania's Diary

Ania is lively. She woke me up just as I was going to sleep last night and she was choking. It was luckily very short lived. By this morning she was ready to go out and positively sprinted around the field gasping as she went.
We have had rain and there has been a bitterly cold wind so while it is like this Ania can breathe better and she will stand a better chance of survival.
I have spent the morning cooking for Ania as her appetite is not brilliant and being a big dog and quite thin any way she does not need to lose any more weight.
I wormed Fudge and Abby only this morning as Fudge had got hold of a disgusting rabbit carcass whilst we were away that could have been covered in maggots or anything. Ania I will leave alone as she has enough to contend with in her life at the moment.

Day 215 of Ania's Diary

Ania is much improved after her acupuncture. She was determined that she was going with our dog walking group this morning. They are so brilliant and it took us 2 hours just to do a short walk with lots of stops in between. I can never thank them enough for their patience. I thought Ania would be very poorly when we got home but she was not.
It has been like winter today with a very cold wind, this obviously suits Ania better  as she is like a new dog.
We never use our spare bedroom so I have cleared it out and put an old cover on the bed so if Ania wishes to stretch out in comfort she can do. I have left the door open but so far she has not been in.
Ania is now going out with the others for a short walk with my husband and is still willing to go.
I am far more optimistic. If we have any hot weather she just will not cope and I realise this is how she was so ill for the past 2 weeks.
I am reluctant to clip all of Ania's fur off but feel this will make her feel a lot more comfortable.

Day 214 of Ania's Diary

Ania had an excellent night and her breathing was good. She is very tired but even now  she is lying at my feet and is peacefully sleeping.
Whilst the weather remains cool I am hoping that she will be better. When we have been out she has been lively and not dragging behind. A totally different dog from the one who could hardly stand up last week.
This morning I managed to book an appointment for acupuncture for her in Devon. I refuse to give up on her and if we have to travel for it then so be it. An extra excuse to go and stay in the caravan
My friend says I must have gypsy in me as I just love the caravan and happy to stay up there although I do get quite homesick after a couple of weeks.
Fudge has been a very good boy for a change and has not misbehaved once today. he still has sore eyes, this constant wind does not help and I am still bathing them in the cold tea.

Tomorrow is the vets walking group day so as Ania loves it so much I am going to attempt to take her as she will be devastated if she is left behind.

Day 213 of Ania's Diary

Ania has had a good day but is exhausted. She has been for her last acupuncture before the vet takes a sabbatical. He told her that she was on her own now and it was up to her.
All is not lost. We will ring the vets in Devon tomorrow and book an appointment up there.
If the weather becomes hot the vet does not think that Ania will survive. The last trick up my sleeve will be too shave off all her fur .It will break my heart but top still have my dog means more to me than anything.This is a nightmare time for us, we love our animals so much and for the last 10 years Ania has never spent a day away from us and I don't think she would cope now.
When we go away I will pack Ania's cool coat and the humidifier although with the weather like it is here, gale force winds and rain we wont need it but we will be prepared.
My head aches so much that I just am not able to write any more.

The swans and ducks on Stover Lake

Day 212 of Ania's Diary.

Ania is not eating properly. I think she is too exhausted too eat. She insists on coming out with us and once again has been twice around the field. It was not until someone passed me and I saw them again going off the field and we were only half way around it that I realised just how slow our walks had got. Ania is so pleased to meet up with her friends in the morning and I seem to be out for so long without walking that far.
We did not go out at lunchtime as it was pouring with rain.
I am not getting much sleep as I have to listen to Ania's harsh breathing. She has had a few choking fits but they are very mild as compared to last week. We will have to see what the vet says and I hope he will give her a thorough examination.

Fudge keeps opening the door and going out and barking, even the rain does not deter him. He and Abby need lots of exercise and because he is so naughty he has to stay on his lead for a lot of the time.
Ania in the field this afternoon with Abby in the distance. Fudge was off looking for rabbits.

Day 211 of Ania's Diary.

It is good news for a change. Although Ania's breathing is laboured she is so much better and eating well . This morning we went to the field and she was determined to go around for a second time and positively skipped around. Her tongue has stayed a healthy pink.
We are working the extra acupressure points and along with the cooler weather seems to have made a vast improvement. My very poorly, unhappy dog of last week seems to have gone. In between the walks Ania is very tired but we do not mind this. Our walks have been quicker and although I have had to go slowly it is nothing like the stop and start of last week. I am hoping to report good news when we go to the vets on Thursday.
Fudge has got very sore eyes . Last week he would insist on lying near the cooling fan for Ania. I am bathing them in cold tea which seems to be helping a lot but it will take a few days to clear up.

Day 209 & 210 of Ania's Diary

I was too tired to post yesterday. It was so hot and I was determined we should come home. It was early evening before we left and it was still hot. We were so lucky, the traffic was minimal and we managed to get home within a couple of hours. I nearly left it until today but luckily did not as the road we would have travelled on is now closed due to an accident.
Any one knows who lives here in Cornwall, there are only a couple of main routes in and out. Someone was looking after us.
Ania was so pleased to be home and and started eating straight away . There is no place like home when you feel so poorly.
I was up in the night to see to Ania and today she has been determined to go out and we saw her friends  in the field and she skipped around the field gasping all the time but still wagging her tail.
The next 2 walks were very curtailed with Ania lying down for a rest in between. This has all taken its toll on her strength, she is exhausted and is now lying down and too here her breathing is heartbreaking.
Twice a day I am now working on Ania's acupressure and I am dreading what the vet is going to say on Thursday evening when we see him.
Fudge has been naughty and caught up on his barking today, when we are away he is so quiet.
He has beeen lying too close too the cool air fan and his eyes are sore but I shall bathe them in cold tea which should clear them up in no time.

The beautiful view of the countryside at Bickington that I shall miss.

Day 208 of Ania's Diary

Things are getting worse. Ania is getting slower and has now stopped eating. This is all such a worry.
I only slept for 4 hours last night, apart from being so hot and worrying about her.
I rang the vets this morning and my vet was on duty today. He suggested I upped the acupressure and worked on more points on Ania. He is too busy too see me before our appointment on Thursday, the Bank Holiday gets in the way once again.
The grandchildren have been over this afternoon so this has given Ania a boost and they came across the fields with me. We are having to go so slowly that it  is giving fudge time to get up to mischief.

2 weeks and still he has not caught this elusive mouse. It is not for the want of trying.
I am hoping it will be cooler tomorrow or else I will have to wait until the evening to travel home with Ania. The roads are so busy that I am praying that we do not get caught up in any traffic.

Day 207 of Ania's Diary

Fudge cuddled up to Ania in the caravan this morning. He seems to know that Ania is poorly. Usually she likes to be on her own.
It is a lot cooler today and very little sun. We decided to go to the garden centre, 10 minutes away. Our journey took 35 minutes and the sun came out. Ania was gasping and I was stuck in a long queue and could not get out of it.
A short walk and plenty of water followed and our return journey had no hold ups.
This now means that we will have to travel home in the evening as I cant risk the sun coming out and Ania gasping.
We have now been here nearly two weeks and in that time Ania has got worse and worse. I have a feeling the vet will not continue . I am heartbroken as we have never spent a day apart in the last 10 years and she is so precious.

Day 206 of Ania's Diary

This was taken in Stover Park the last time we were here. The photos have now decided to download.
It has been so hot today, not grumbling but I am going to go out with the dogs in a few minutes.
Ania is gasping when she walks now so I have restricted her to one field only.She is a lot more lively today and has barked a few times which she should not be doing.
When we go home I think I am going to have to clip all her fur off which is going to be dreadful but if it will make her more comfortable. As long as we still have her I will do anything.
I do feel we are running out of time though.
Fudge is lying beside me dreaming of all the mice he could be catching.

Day 205 of Ania's Diary

Ania had a very restless night. It turned  very cold and I should have put her coat on. We went across the field as normal and it there was a frost. We went through the 3 fields and back with not too many problems.
Coming back I stopped at the poo bin, went to climb over the stile and Ania started shaking and she could hardly stand up. I got her into the road, thankfully no cars were coming and rang my husband who came running to help me. We got her back into the caravan where she slept for 1 and a half hours and then got up as if nothing happened.
At lunch time we decided to go to Ania's favourite Stover Park. She got so excited that she was gasping by the time we got there. The forest was cool and we stopped at the first picnic table for a drink, not going very far. Halfway around the lake Ania could do no more and we had to sit for a rest and she had a struggle to get back to the car.

The afternoon was spent in a very hot awning with the cool fan trained on Ania who slept solidly.
I have just come back from taking Ania into the first field only. she wanted to go further but I could not risk a repeat of this morning.
I took the other 2 dogs around the village as Fudge only spends all his time hunting for mice, he seems to have made it his mission but he has not caught one yet, they are too clever for him.