Cassie Ridette Gregory-Hobbs

IT WAS A SAD END TO 2019 FOR OLLIE AFTER LOSING CASSIE (31.12.2019)

Rosemary told us when she and Bruce adopted Ollie it was as friend and counsellor to their very naughty Flat-Coated Retriever, Cassie. She had been re-homed due to the owner’s work patterns 2 years before.

She had been a real trial with her challenging and sometimes really bad behaviour which just would not settle despite her having a very loving nature. When Ollie came into our lives she became a different dog almost overnight. She still had all her charm and mischief but she was so much calmer and less demanding of our constant attention.

They soon became absolute best pals.

She continued “While we were away this Christmas, they went into kennels together and, tragically, Cassie had to be taken to the vets then died suddenly on New Year’s Eve. She had been ill a few weeks before with gastritis but this illness had responded to the antibiotics she was prescribed and she was eating well again.

When the kennel owner noticed a sudden deterioration and a refusal to eat or drink at the morning feeding rounds, it was decided that action was necessary.

An ultrasound at Rosemullion Vets in Falmouth showed a massive tumour on Cassie’s spleen which had ruptured so we had to give permission for euthanasia over the phone from a ship in the Atlantic.

Needless to say, we were absolutely devastated; she was only 8 and ½ years old and still, normally, full of fun and energy.

Cassie was the 4th in a line of Flat Coats, who have all died from cancer. Sadly, it is well known in the breed, and we lost them at increasingly young ages – 11, 10, 9 and now 8.

We have decided that is the end for us as far as Flat Coats are concerned as we are also older now and do not want to again go through the heartache over losing beloved dogs who should have been with us so much longer.

We are spoiling Ollie totally for a while as he seems confused and lost without her but, later, in the Spring, we hope to find a new pal for him. Maybe a young lady dog who will keep him and us youthful together.

We have just moved to a new home with half an acre of secure garden and have a lot of work to do, so a few months should see us properly settled, organized and ready to take on another dog who needs a loving home”. Sleep peacefully, sweet Cassie.