A few weeks ago, we posted the story of Azra our beautiful, golden girl, white muzzled with a gaze clouded by time. She had just undergone major surgery and was back at home, under the watchful caring eye of Wynnie. Her journey back to health finds her at last sitting on the sandy shores of the lake. She can potter about in her wobbly way, but time has caught up with her and decided her wandering days are over. Following her huge operation she now only manages about six meters at a time. Putting her into the car with her going out bag of bowl, chews and teddy, she sat up proudly – maybe memories of yesterdays flooding back – when vehicle rides meant action and adventure. We wonder when we sit quietly with her as she sleeps, her feet running in her dreams, is she chasing someone from her service days? running along streets away from dog catchers? or running with our pack through the sunlit countryside? she has had so many different episodes in her life. Does she still wonder why she was thrown onto the streets? Does she still remember the days of no food or shelter? Or, is a dog’s memory as patchwork as my own, brief snapshots in time, overlapped with recent memories.
So here she sits, damp from her paddle in the lake, gazing out at the children playing, sandy paws and remembered dreams. Gwynnevere runs to her often, playing sandcastles with her old doggy, both staring out across the water together in a shared stillness that seems timeless. Azra is her guardian, once so powerful and strong, yet still with a heart full of gentleness and courage. Wynnie is her guardian in return, young body, yet still with so much to learn, they compliment each other in their different strengths and love. A friendship without barriers, timeless. One that many of us yearn for; that remains elusive in its rarity. At the end of the evening Azra was lifted into the strong arms of Jerome and carried back into the car. All of us sandy, having shared moments of happiness together and sandy sandwiches. Once home, she dozed on her bed next to the fire, a younger version of herself running in her dreams while her old grey feet jump across her bed.
Azra needs wheels!
And now, Azra is needing everyone’s help. She needs some wheels to help with her mobility and enable her to enjoy many more days at the lake, playing with her friends. Despite our best efforts at changing, modifying and making do, Azra just can’t use the thirdhand, old and used-to-bits wheelchairs we have, they are both so broken and too small. You can see in the photo that she is uncomfortable and it is totally unsuitable. Despite two days of trying to modify the frame, she remains squashed in and her back isn’t straight. The wheels are not repairable and the harness clips are hanging on with tie wraps and two broke just while she was standing still, let alone moving.
After lengthy discussions with Becky at Wheels for Dogs we have come up with a solution that suits her ability now and will support her in her unrelenting slowing. Our aim is that she remains as mobile and as comfortable as she can for the time she has left to share with us. We are using any second-hand harnesses Becky has that she feels are suitable and she is also giving us a 15% discount. This outlay of the wheelchair is extraordinarily massive, until it is put into mind that this will allow our golden girl to be mobile with the pack again. The large frame can also be used for three of our other large dogs who are progressing towards their golden years, as and when the need arises.
Azra needs a walking wheels large frame quad wheelchair costing £540, two rear lift walking harnesses, which will allow one to be in the wash and drying as she is doubly incontinent, £60 each, a walking frame belly support £30, two bootie splints at around £90 plus the delivery cost. Unless there is someone who wants to visit us here and volunteer for a few days and bring the wheelchair with them? :) So we are at a minimum estimate of £830 for the total without delivery and without final costing.
So friends, we are turning to the outside world. We make do and mend wherever possible, but for this chair, we have tried and failed and need your help to get her supported. Azra has fought to recover after her total mastectomy and she is courageous and determined. Can you help us to get her back on her feet for long strolls in the countryside? She can potter about now, but it is only for very short distances, so need her wheels as soon as possible.
If you are able to help, please send payments via PayPal marked Azzies chair to bigvsanctuary@outlook.com
Azra only has two monthly supporters, so if you would prefer to help with her ongoing needs every month please shout. Alternatively, she needs incontinence pads and treats, which are on our Amazon wishlist x
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