One of the Auntie(notOTP)'s dog-walking friends has a theory that dogs eventually end up with the home they are meant to be in. Foss was incredibly unlucky, in some respects. But very lucky indeed, in others.
After assorted digestive troubles, including a nasty bug and then the discovery of some massive food intolerances he seemed to be doing well, and was a spectacularly happy and lovely chap. But then, despite being from a really good breeder of working dogs and part of a litter from two impeccably hip-scored dogs he developed hip problems that were diagnosed after x-rays as severe hip displasia in his left hip. The plan was to control his pain until surgery to stabilise the joint was possible once he stopped growing, but it deteriorated very rapidly and he was in a lot of pain so, in consultation with the vet, m'sis moved the surgery forward. However the pre-op x-rays under general revealed that the problem was worse than they had thought and the catastrophic news that the other hip was also buggered. All plans went on hold and an urgent referral to an orthopaedic specialist followed. They said only possible intervention which might help was a complete hip replacement on the left, which our sister had always said she wasn't comfortable with as the op and recovery and subsequent care needed seemed like a pretty dreadful thing to put a young dog through. This would then need to be followed by another complete hip replacement on the other side 12 weeks later - not a pleasant prospect for him. Meanwhile the hound was maxed out on puppy painkillers and still in constant debilitating pain to the extent that he was crying and not eating. Our sister made the (I think admirable) choice between his pain and hers, so last week Foss had his last, rather slow, walk round to the vets and was very calmly and peacefully put down.
So I think he got the right home, with the owner that was able to make the right decision.
It's a bit shit though.
