And a bouquet to...

We so often complain about people who feel that they can just come up and pet our dogs, and are oblivious to any rolling eyes, lip licking, and ears going back (and that's just me ), so I thought I'd do the opposite...

When out with Jasper yesterday afternoon, I bumped into someone I'e met on dog walks a few times (though not for months as I haven't been to the heath). We chatted, and at one point she went to stroke Jasper's head. I saw the very slightest change in his eyes & head position - one of those times when you really couldn't say what had changed, just a feeling, born of 9 years' experience... And immediately, my friend pulled her hand away and apologised to Jasper. Not only had she picked up on the subtlest of signs, she realised that it was her fault for moving her hand up to him from behind so he hadn't seen it coming. I was well impressed!

I'm not sure why he wasn't comfortable as he does know her, but she was wearing dark sunglasses which could have been a factor.

She had some sad news for me though. When I last saw her, her young pointer had recently reacted badly to an adder bite. Her current vet was utterly useless and eventually, when her dog was extremely ill and they didn't seem to care less, she went to another vet (who just happens to be mine). He said that she should have been given the anti-venom right at the start, gave her the treatment she needed and when we lasy spoke, though she still had a way to go, she seemed to be on the mend.

A couple of days later she collapsed on a walk and died in my friend's arms Their other pointer was absolutely bereft, and my friend's husband had spoke of getting another dog, but she just can't face it after the pain of losing her girl.

Well done her for reading J so well but what a sad story about her dog. It's really worrying that a vet wouldn't immediately offer anti-venom - how on earth could he have missed that?

Lord knows... apparently at one stage she was in a terrible state, leg swollen so it was practically the size of the rest of her, and in great pain but they still didn't seem to think she should have any further meds. It's not the first time I've heard bad things about that practice. She was told she should make an official complaint but she's just sticking with telling everyone she meets about her experience.

The problem with not making a complaint and just telling people is that there is still a chance someone who hasn't heard will still go there and face problems too. But I realise it must be hard and she may not feel strong enough, everyone is different (I would be baying for blood).

Yep, me too. Though if they denied negligence (which they probably would), taking it further could involve a horrendous legal battle.

That's a really sad story :-( Very strange that they wouldn't administer anti venom straight away, although I've heard it can be hard to come by and not all vets stock it. Terrible excuse though!