Delphi Reader-Hoer

THE MOST DEVASTATING NEWS
(WEDNESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2024)

A heartbroken Tracey told Pauline, “I am so sorry to have to tell you some very sad news. We had to have our beautiful Delphi put to sleep last Wednesday (28th February) as her condition went downhill quite rapidly.

Last July, we took her to our vet as she had a lump on her front paw and was lame on it. He diagnosed arthritis and said the lumps were arthritis on her toes. In December, I went back as she was going off her back legs too and dragging the front paw. He said it was like a vestibular disease or ataxia but he thought something sinister was causing it.

Delphi learnt to cope (as did we) with us putting padding and a sock on her front paw which she was dragging. Her back paw was similar. She had been such an active dog so she almost got depressed to start with because she couldn’t do what she could do before but she had got her head around it all and was managing (and so were we).

Sadly, the week before last, she went extremely downhill very quickly and went off all four feet. Then, towards the weekend, she couldn’t even stand unaided. We were literally carrying her out into garden on her harness and having to hold her for her wees and poos as she couldn’t stand. We also had to lift her to get her up off her bed, as she could only lift her head, which was totally heartbreaking. So we had to make the awful decision as her quality of life was no longer good and she seemed so sad with it.

The vet came here and put her to sleep, with Otto playing the clown and trying to lift the mood, but we are heartbroken and so is he. He likes to play and Delphi was the perfect playmate for him.  She was only 11yrs so she wasn’t a great age but we joked with her that she had worn her body out by being so large of life and very active until as late as early last year.

With Delphi getting older, we would normally have had three dogs for a while but her decline was much more rapid than we anticipated. We all miss Delphi so much xxxxx”

Pauline said “Delphi is now flying with the angels and, for sure, will be reunited with Cleo, Digby and Rocky at Rainbow Bridge. Many friends from the days of the get-togethers in Gizzie’s field will be there to greet her too.

I told Tracey that, today, I sat on the bench in the Memorial Garden, thinking and remembering, and the sun had come out, the little birds were chirping their hearts out and I was surrounded by white feathers. They also had a lovely day in Devon and Tracey said “Nature is waking up. Blue sky and sunshine make you smile and remember.

Many friends have rallied round with condolences and lovely kind words for Tracey and Mark. These are much appreciated and they wish to thank everyone very much for thinking of them.

Until we all meet again, take care and God bless”.

A VERY POPULAR SPONSOR GIRL

Delta, who became Delphi, went from being an unwanted little girl to becoming a very happy member of her huge animal family and later went on to follow in Digby’s paw-steps to become a very popular Sponsor Dog.

MANY THANKS TO DELPHI’S SPONSORS

EARLY HISTORY

Originally called Delta, she was a female Golden Retriever surrendered to IRR by her family when she was just 10 months old. She was subsequently spayed.

FIRST FOSTER ASSESSMENT

Delta was fostered in Cheshire

She is a very sweet and timid girl who is gradually coming out of her shell in her foster home. She is curious about everything but quite subservient to people.

She loves to watch everything that is going on, and is happy to play gently with other dogs. She gives her toys up beautifully, is not food possessive, is house trained and is a proper lady in the making.

Behaviour with other animals: She is good with other dogs and with cats.

DELTA’S DREAM HOME
Delta would like to live with other dogs and animals in a home where there is plenty going on to occupy her curious mind.

GOING HOME (7th September 2013)

Delta went off happily to her Forever Home in Devon with Tracey, Mark and her new brother, Digby. She was also going to be living with Golden Retriever sister, Cleo, and the rest of the much loved, rescued menagerie.

Her new carefully chosen name was going to be Delphi,

UPDATE FROM DELPHI’S FOREVER HOME 9. 9. 2013

Tracey tells us ” All is going really well with Delphi – she is a beautiful dog, with impeccable manners and seems very quick to learn. She has met all 3 of the cats and this morning wasn’t really taking much notice of the 2 in the lounge with her, which is good. She seems very taken with Roger (our gentle black cat) and follows him around quite a bit – he is not so keen when she sniffs his bottom and has bopped her nose a few times, which isn’t a bad thing. Thomas (the more vicious cat) is very accepting of her (I think it helps that she is a GR) although he does give her a big hiss and swipe if she gets too close. After one of these she is now giving him a wide berth, which is what he likes, so all is well.

She has been good out on her walks on the harness and we keep calling her back and rewarding her and she seems very good at this. She loves the dog bones and went straight to these when she arrived and is busy gnawing on them (old beef bones that the dogs have had in the garden until they are suitable to bring indoors) so that is good (I have attached a picture of her a few hours after arriving with a bone).

Cleo was absolutely fine with her and Delphi very sweetly kisses Cleo loads when she comes in from the stable yard in the mornings (she is going down there with me for about 15-20 mins while Mark walks the other 2 on their own).

Delphi settled so quickly, we were amazed and she is slotting straight into the routine. Pauline lent us a crate, which is great and peace of mind whilst she gets over the chewing. We are putting her in the crate at night but have left her in the lounge for short bursts (whilst keeping an eye) and she just curls up in one of the armchairs and goes to sleep like the others. I have put her in the crate this morning, as I am at work today, but I have the rest of the week off. My mum is going over at about 11.00am and will stay with her until about 3.00pm today. I will go home at lunchtime and Mum will help me with the lunch hour, as we haven’t let her off in the field yet, so it is a bit tricky with the 3 of them.

Delphi didn’t take much notice of the chickens or the sheep, actually, but was quite scared of the ponies, so we will work on this gently with her. In all the excitement I forgot to show her the rabbits yesterday, but plenty of time for that this week.

She loves the tennis ball and we actually have a Retriever that retrieves!! Digby will run after a ball but doesn’t bring it back. Delphi loves the game and Mark played it for quite a bit yesterday with her on the long training line in the field, so this is a good thing, as we know we can always play ball with her as well.

So, all in all, a very good start and we are delighted at how she is getting the hang of the routine. Although she did bark and squeak a bit on the first night, we didn’t hear a peep out of her last night. We also managed to get Cleo to sleep downstairs with them as well (we decided we would try and start this when Delphi arrived, as she cannot manage the stairs now and we pretty much have to carry her up).

I have the rest of the week off from tomorrow and am really looking forward to having some proper time at home to settle her in (although she is marvellously settled already).

Thanks to Aileen for all your help in finding our perfect girl which is much appreciated. A big thank you to Nicky for all the hard work you have put in with Delphi (who we know you adored) and to Belinda, Terry and the girls for having Delphi for a week and, again, doing such a wonderful job with her. We think the couple of foster home moves she has had have probably done her the world of good as she has come to us much more well rounded than she would have been a few weeks ago.

It was so lovely to see you and all the doggies on Saturday – a real Retriever fest!!!! It was especially nice to meet Vinnie – what a lovely boy – you are very lucky to have found each other (it was definitely meant to be!!)”

DELPHI IS HELPING EVERYONE (8.11.2013)

Tracey tells us “Delphi is continuing to improve every day.

I actually left her unattended in the lounge for two separate ¾ hours last weekend. A neighbour’s sheep was upside down in the field when I drove up our hill so I just grabbed wellies and didn’t think about putting Delphi in the crate when I rushed to help her. Then, again, when the farmer came to collect the sheep, who was alive but hadn’t been able to get up, I rushed out to help him get her into the Land Rover. Delphi, throughout, had just been asleep in the armchair and nothing had been chewed – hooray!

Her chewing has diminished hugely now she is getting into a routine so, hopefully, this is a positive move in the right direction!

Her and Digby also play like the best of friends and, although Digby is definitely missing Cleo, Delphi is helping everyone!”