Fabienne's diary: Tobbe was on the table about to be put to sleep ...

 Saturday 17 October 2020

One of the people who keeps an eye on the killing station told me that in the veterinary clinic at the killing station there was a 9-month Mastin on the table, ready to be put to sleep . He had a problem and walking could be very difficult. He could be operated on, but the owner did not want to spend a cent on him so better to put him to sleep. And so this sweetheart, because he certainly is that, ended up with us.

Tobbe had been adopted by a Spanish man who got him from a friend who had a litter of puppies. The beautiful little puppy was at first a beautiful toy - for a month, then he was tied to a tree, on a chain of 1 meter. That's how Tobbe's life went on. He did not build up muscle mass, he did not know walking, and he hardly got any food. People just did not care about him.

When his wretched boss threw him bread be saw how Tobbe was he starting to fail, he thought he should go to the killing station. However, his wife thought that the vet should have a look first because he was such a good dog, so his boss then took him to the vet. The vet  determined that Tobbe was just bone on bone and had no muscle mass. He had become very big but had been tied to a 1 meter chain, without having been away from it even once. He would have to be operated on, on both hips, followed by a strict rehabilitation, and and and ... When his boss heard that, he said : “Put that dog to sleep, I won't spend a cent on it! If he has an operation and if they pay for it, then I want him back ”… No comment!!!

When Tobbe arrived at our house, each of us had to shed a tear of misery. He is so thin, so miserable, but that tail wags… He licks your hand, says a friendly hello to humans and animals, and is grateful for his duvet on which his skeleton can lie softly. We immediately drove to our specialist, urgently because he is clearly in pain. Here, too, everyone was charmed by that sweet dog, who remains so indescribably sweet and grateful, despite his pain. Many a person can learn something here!

The verdict was hard and clear, multiple surgeries are inevitable, but so expensive. Tobbe has hip dysplasia on both sides, the left side is worse than the right side. The best option, especially for a dog of his size, but at the same time also the most expensive, is a prosthesis in which the existing joint is replaced by an artificial hip. Unfortunately, the costs for this can amount to over € 4000. The alternative is an excision, in which the femoral head is removed, which drastically reduces the pain, but also requires much more extensive rehabilitation, including physiotherapy and hydrotherapy. Fees for this procedure are around € 1000 (rehabilitation not included.

Who can help us with this or give us suggestions?

For more about Tobbe, please click on his name and for the video, please click here.