Fern

As many of our supporters know, Fern has been approaching end of life for quite a few months now. However, somehow, she keeps managing to hold on and somehow our miracle orthopaedic specialist produces different drugs that help her to keep on trucking.

Given the severity of Fern’s issues and the heavy management she now requires, we thought you would all appreciate a more detailed update on how she is now doing here at Flori’s Friends.

Some time ago, we fundraised for a carpal brace for Fern which would immobilise her shattered carpus, offering her more support in the joint on her dog walks. This worked a treat for around 6 months. However, sadly, Fern has crippling elbow dysplasia and osteoarthritis, so the brace started putting too much pressure on her elbow, which eventually gave in. In December, we were ready to say goodbye to our darling Fern until our specialist suggested a last ditch attempt at better pain relief. This was a direct injection into her elbow and carpus whilst under general anaesthetic. Whilst, these injections have not worked fully, they have worked a good 70%, which is 70% more than we were expecting. These, coupled with daily physio, laser therapy, tramadol and loxicom has given her a quality of life again.

The really sad part is that Fern’s brain is still fully active, and she just wants to be a regular dog that runs around in the mud with her friends. When the time comes for her, it will not be an easy decision for this rescue, the hardest one since the rescue was founded. Unfortunately, her body just cannot keep up with her mind for much longer. We hope and pray that these injections continue to take affect for as long as possible and that the intense end of life care plan we have in place for her also continues offering her good days.

Right now, she is happy, loved and professionally managed but we know it will not be forever. For now, she is hurtling around the Kent countryside with her pals, chewing the sleeves off of our staff’s jumpers and causing mayhem!

Fern is the beating heart of this rescue; she brings so much light and joy to our darkest days, and we will continue doing everything within our means to ensure she is happy and loved until the dreaded day comes.

We would like to thank all of you that continue to sponsor her costly care, it truly means the world to us. For any of you that are not yet sponsoring her and wish to you can do so here.