Alf

Alf is a rescue dog. We adopted him just two weeks after Henry died. He became our reason to get out of bed in the morning. He's obviously had a really difficult start in life as he finds it very hard to trust people. He is terrified of new people and situations and shakes uncontrollably when confronted with these. He's come a very long way in the 3 1/2 years we have had him but whatever happened to him means I don't think he will ever wholly trust humans again. I can't bear the thought of anyone ever hurting him. He's the most beautiful gentle boy and is just so great with the kids.

Maybe due to the treatment he suffered before we knew him, he now has arthritis in his back legs. We've kept him off medication for a couple of years now with glucosomene and a magnetic collar, and he's coped well although he's had some stiff days. Just lately though he's become worse so we had to take him to the vets. This was such a traumatic experience for him- he was shaking so much the vet could barely examine him. He's on anti-inflammatories for 2 weeks to see how he goes but long term these can cause liver and kidney damage so it's not good if he has to stay on these. Fingers crossed he'll only need them in winter when his arthritis plays up the most. But I can't help worrying about him.