Bobbie has been my first Bloodhound, and what a special dog she has been. We all know that our dogs are likely to go before we do, but it really doesn't make it any easier when it happens. Bobbie from an early age was a confident dog who just loved to play rough and tumble, whether with Max, myself or other dogs. How we enjoyed our howling sessions although I'm not sure the neighbours would be quite so enthusiastic. On Bobbie's first job, being the 'Bark over' for the Bloodhound in Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. I did warn the sound engineer that she had a very loud bark, although as a very experienced man in his field he was quite taken aback that I felt the need to mention this! Anyway £3,000 of microphones later I think he had a new found respect for this magnificent creature. Bob's latest, and as it turns out last job, was a combined effort with Max (my boy) on the latest series of Game Of Thrones. A series I have never heard of, but apparently it is all the rage. I heard the producer saying to the lead dog handler that my guys were exactly what he was looking for. My, they did me proud, although I'm sure Jim (lead dog handler) may have other thoughts, as Bobbie pulled him so hard he put his back out! Sorry Jim! There are many more stories which I will look back on with so much fondness. Whether dogs are aware that they bring so much happiness I'm undecided, but no matter how badly she behaved, many times I just had to smile at her, sometimes deliberate naughtiness! Below is a precis of events leading up to her passing. Stomach Torsion (or bloat as it is more commonly known) does have specific signs although many were absent with Bobbie Bobs and so the reason I am including it is on the off chance some poor dog down the line may survive as a result.
Bobbie had her evening meal as per usual. After about 20mins she went and just sat in the garden facing the house which although unusual was showing no signs of distress. She then came in and sat in the middle of the lounge looking at me but still no signs anything was wrong. No salivating or retching, or vomiting no restlessness. I went and sat next to her and she put her head on my shoulder which although Bobs loved me she was not generally a cuddles dog. She wasn't displaying any discomfort. Over the next 15-20 mins she started licking at her bum on whilst on the couch and then started to moan. It was then that I knew something was wrong although still not what. She then laid on the floor but not on her side, when she got up after only a few minutes I checked her tummy and knew right then. I phoned the vets and took her straight down. She was moaning all the way.
The timing could not have been worse. They had another dog that was also an emergency which subsequently didn't make it. But, of course the delay could well have been crucial. We arrived at about 8.30pm and the vet said that she had a heart arrhythmia and she had to be stabilised first prior to operating. They allowed me to see her at about 10pm and again she just sat up and put her head straight on my shoulder. I think she knew. Of course they were still dealing with the other poor unfortunate dog, which passed away at about 11pm. They operated on my poor girl around midnight. At 1.10am I got a call and he said that her stomach had twisted three hundred and sixty degrees and was badly damaged. It had also damaged the spleen which had caused massive internal bleeding and as a result other organs had also suffered damage.
That's when I asked him to put her to sleep on the table to save the poor girl any further pain, and he agreed it was the best and kindest thing to do. Max and I went straight back and said our good byes and she was laying there so peacefully I felt sure we had done the right thing by her. But, already missing her so much and am crying unashamedly as I write this.
