Best muck Blip I could hope for

Boy am I over the moon to be posting this photo.

For much of the day, I kept having thoughts todays Blip would be a photo of Flash, framed in black. Thank God I was badly wrong. Flash continues to be the stubborn BC that thinks duty comes before everything else and he had unfinished business....

Continuing from yesterday: had been up almost all night keeping an eye on Flash. In the morning Angie phoned someone who works full time at the Memmingen Animal Rescue who has been here a few times to take some of the Chabo chickens and popped by on Wednesday to invite us around on Saturday to his private house to see his two border collies, Chabo chickens and other animals. He recommended a practice who we also knew and had used for horse Rosie. They didn't have a morning surgery but Angie phoned and they said bring him in. She set off and I dealt with the horses & Luna.

When Angie phoned with the news he had an enormous (10cm dia.) tumour on his spleen, our world came to an end. We both agreed without hesitation that if there was half a percent chance of a successful operation, it should be done. Later she called to say they would both be coming home for a few hours before returning for the operation mid afternoon.

Angie told me things looked bleak. Another few hours and he would not have survived. Luckily the surgery was having a demonstration of the very newest ultrasound machine today. X-Rays from all angles couldn't spot the problem because of the massive bloating. The Ultrasound did. The size and the 99% chance that it had already burst were not good signs but the vets reckoned that if the liver had not been invaded, there was a minimal chance.

I tried, in the two hours they were home, to make my farewells but couldn't accept it. I kept telling him he needed to be back to bring in the horses & chickens, the two duties he takes so seriously. When they left, I literally broke down but was rescued by Farmer Franz calling to say he was on his way with son Markus to pick up our horses muck heap.

As they started to load, I remembered that I always Blip this bi-annual event and then thought no point, Flash would be the Blip. But then I said no to myself and dashed back to the house to get the camera. Muck was going to be todays star. Then the thought - perhaps I should ask them to dig the grave as they had the front load bucket there and could do it better than I could. NO, NO, NO.

Angie phoned to say she had held his paw, again telling him he had work to do when he got home, until the anaesthetic had taken full effect and would stay in Memmingen until the call came whether, on opening up, the verdict was he had no chance or the operation had gone ahead.

I played with Luna in the garden and kept thinking where Flash would like to find his last resting place....NO, NO, NO. Emotions were running crazy, XXL pack of 12 kitchen rolls was getting good use. The time passed which would have meant no chance and the mobile remained silent. As time went on, the suspense got unbearable until finally Angie called to say she was on her way to the surgery, he was about to wake up. I again broke down with joy but knowing this was just the start.

Eventually the two came home. The vets generally believe where possible, dogs tend to recover better at home which we both agree with especially in Flash's case. What a wonderful sight to see him. Once carried in to the house he got straight up and went out to do his business as if nothing had happened.

The vets had never seen such a tumour of the size. He lost a good 2 liters of blood and frankly they are amazed he survived the operation at all. A credit to them of course but it's typical Flash....got unfinished work! Angie took a photo of the monster - filled a try the size of a normal notebook and about 5cm high.

It's now getting towards 5:00am on Saturday and he appears to be in good shape. Temperature has dropped to normal and importantly never went in to under-temperature. Have had to restict how much he drinks, difficult especially as we lit the fire to keep the living room warm. He hasn't been licking his very large wound. Vets gave us a body suit if he needs it. Knowing him, the idea of wearing such a thing would not be welcome.

He has to be back at the surgery at 8:00, once again the burden on Angie, so my playing night sister is the least I can do. Angie has been truly wonderful.

We both know the situation will be critical for some time to come and is unlikely to be a long term solution but I thank who ever it is up there for every minute he can be at home to finish that "unfinished business".

Thanks to Angie and the team at the surgery who Angie said were truly wonderful to both of them. Don't know if they say it to all owners/dogs, but apparently Flash was a star. The only problem, the second he woke up, he got up to leave to get back on duty, so someone had to sit with him until Angie arrived.

(Just seen that I was being cut open this time last year. Don't think the nurses ever praised my patience and manners)