Geri the Geriatric Lurcher

[eileenjones]

It's been a little bit 'good news bad news' with Geri the ancient stray Lurcher who came to us thanks to the caring owner of the pound kennels he was taken to.He had been found by some dog walkers in a field wher he must have ben dumped as he would not have been able to get in there on his own.

Geri had the worst possible teeth and gums imaginable and the vet that removed them said they were the worst she had encountered. He did really well and on Thursday went back to be castrated and start his vaccinations. Once knocked out the vets discovered that there were two very large holes where his upper canines had been removed. On investigation they discovered that the bone they were sitting in has disintergrated due to the infection and now there were holes right through to his nostrils. Clive the vet did a fantastic repair job by removing a piece of gum and using that to cover the holes. Hopefully the repair will hold and so far so good. Poor Geri has had a second bout of having a very painful mouth but that hasn't stopped him eating and he is on plenty of pain relief. It may well be less painful than the mouth full of rotted teeth he had prior to surgery. He will go back on Monday to make sure that the graft has taken. Geri is such a wonderful dog who is just so gentle and kind. We love him to bits.


geri when first in the pound


despite two lots of surgery he is looking so much more comfortable.

[jessiesmum]

Awwww god bless him, hope he's out of pain soon, who the hell let this happen to him, there are some evil people around.

[Jo]

Geri the lurcher has come on leaps and bounds in his new home. Just look at how well he is now with his canine pal

[jessiesmum]

Looking great Geri, lovely to see you happy now xxxx

[Jo]

An update:

I had to share these pics - who says you can't teach and old dog new tricks.. he went through hell, had all his teeth removed is 15 years old.. I've often seen his little face watching the ball but I never thought it was possible that Mr Gums (GERI) could ever pick a ball up and then for the first time he did! Ever so slowly.. gentle, gentle but he did it - it's moments like these which will make me a senior adopter for the rest of my days - My heart swells every time I look at these photos.

[redgypsy]

What a lovely old gent,he must feel so much happier bless him,enjoy your life old fella.

glenice.

[Jo]

Just over a year ago we were contacted by a lady called Linda White who runs a kennels that has the contract for taking strays in West Wales. An ancient lurcher had been found abandoned in a field by some dog walkers and he was in a dreadful mess. Linda wanted this old lad to have a chance and we agreed to take him in to the Wonky Dog and Cat Club.

Lots of people contributed to ensure Geri had the veterinary treatment he would need. The volunteer who transported Geri, as he was now called, had to drive with the window open as the smell of this old chaps teeth and mouth was nauseating. A couple of weeks of good food saw him put on enough weight to undergo surgery and he was castrated and had many teeth removed.

The Maesglas vet, Clive, discovered that the infection in his mouth had caused the bone under the gum in Geri's mouth to crumble leaving two large holes. Clive did some brilliant reconstructive surgery and managed to seal them with a flap made from Geri's gum. Geri recovered slowly and went off on long term foster to Joanne Postance where he received more love and care than he had known in a lifetime. Today Geri left for the bridge after developing an inoperable lump in his throat.

Geri was an amazing dog and another perfect example of how animals teach us so much and their ability to forgive the cruelty of humans knows no bounds. Geri learnt to run again and even play with a ball so we are pretty certain he will be having a great time at the bridge. RIP Geri a very special dog.

[redgypsy]

So sad to read this,but Geri knew love and fun,thanks to some very special people,you all know who you are, keep running free fella,you will always be loved and remembered.xx

Glenice.