GSD Marley, a lovely chap - RIP

by Andy Wells

We picked up Marley on Wednesday 4th January; he had little history except we understand that his owner had died, and he had spent much time in a crate. He had no toys, no blankets of his own and his lead was a very obviously new choke-chain.

Marley did not even have a collar. We have never seen such a thin dog is real life, and he smelt strongly of urine. Despite this, he was such a friendly and lovely chap, who began to fit in so well with our other dogs.

On Friday lunchtime we were all sitting together smoozing in our front room, me thinking of how nice it was to have four dogs again and how lucky we were to have him. Then he started retching; I rushed him straight round to our vet, who diagnosed what I suspected - torsion (known as bloat in the US, I believe).

During emergency surgery he died twice but was revived, only to finally die during recovery - his emeciated body just not being strong enough. Only two days, but more than enough time to love him with painful intensity