Rupert

 Rupert enlivened the Christmas season by becoming very unwell late on Wednesday afternoon.

Ian says he was reluctant to eat breakfast, although he ate some rice at lunchtime and his dinner late in the afternoon.  He did, though, reject his after dinner treat.

He was very restless, then he went down the garden, hotly pursued by Hugo who leapt on him. I'm not sure exactly what happened but Rupert started howling.  Ian and I both ran down to find what looked like a fight, although they don't usually fight.  I'm not sure if Hugo had intended to play but had got stuck.  Whatever, his teeth were stuck to Rupert's jowl.  Ian managed to separate them and we all went back inside.  But it was obvious that Rupert was not happy.

Jim and I went home, but I was unsurprised when Ian rang to say that he was worried about Rupert.  He was shaking and drooling and whimpering. He put Rupert in the car and came down to collect me.

Rupert had the classic symptoms of bloat.  If your large chested dog shows symptoms of bloat you need to act very quickly. We were somewhat surprised to discover that in Ballarat, which vies with Bendigo to be the third largest city in Victoria, there is no out of hours emergency vet. The nearest is in Geelong, an hour's drive away. I sat up at Hill House with Stella until Lindsey came back from work, while Ian hot footed it to Geelong with Rupert.

He had successful surgery but had to stay in hospital until yesterday. He wasn't eating- which is hardly surprising when he had just had major surgery on his stomach. Also, on Christmas day lots of people and dogs were coming for the evening. It was probably better for him to be in the peace and quiet of hospital until Christmas was over.

Lindsey and Ian picked him up yesterday and brought him home.  He still wasn't eating but then was tempted by some Christmas pâté. And perhaps just a sliver of ham.  Maybe some home made sausage roll? Oh yes, a little turkey would be pleasant.  But not, definitely not the prescription tinned gloop the vet had sent home with him.  Definitely  not that!

Lindsey says he is more alert today and a bit happier. His legs are more stable. He is  a bit more interested in food. We are cautiously hopeful that he will make a full recovery.

But Christmas does not seem to be good for Great Danes.  Sam the Dane died on Christmas Eve three years ago. And yesterday one of the Danes who goes to the Great Dane meets died of bone cancer.  We won't tell them about Christmas next year.

Rupert, recuperating at home
supervised by Hugo