When Lara (aka Clara) gave birth to 10 puppies it was always known that if all 10 survived it would be somewhat of a miracle. They did. It seemed a miracle had blessed the Diana Brimblecombe Animal Rescue Centre, greatly assisted by the human dedication of staff and volunteers. All seemed, almost, too good to be true as the puppies were nurtured, loved and were all set to head off to their new homes.

Then, just as Buddy puppy was about to start the rest of his life, disaster hit. It was found that he had been born with a cleft palate. If left untreated this would seriously compromise his health. It explained the constant runny nose, the snotty problems and eating difficulties that Buddy had shown.

For him to have the best chance of leading a healthy, happy life in future, it was decided that he would have the specialist surgery that would sort it out. Buddy was too young to have it done immediately and he remained in foster care, living with DBARC manager Janet North, expertly cared for and flourishing as every puppy should.

Now the time has come for Buddy to have the operation and he is due to go into the Ralph Veterinary Referral Centre on Monday.

Buddy earlier this week at his appointment at The Ralph Veterinary Referral Centre

The surgery will ensure that Buddy lives a normal, happy life when he is adopted and there was never any doubt that DBARC would agree that he would receive it. But it is a major expense for a small, independent animal rescue centre. It's not yet known if more than one operation will be needed.

Everything everyone does to fundraise makes it possible for this work to be possible. For lives like Buddy’s to be saved and made as good as they possibly can be.

AUGUST 29th - UPDATE

Buddy’s first cleft palate surgery went ahead. Unfortunately it wasn’t successful and a few weeks later he underwent a further operation. This too didn’t work to correct the cleft palate. He is due to have a third, and it’s hoped successful operation very soon. In the meantime he is in the safe and loving care of the DBARC team and is unperturbed by the complicated journey to full health he is on!

UPDATE - November 2019

Buddy had a further, 3rd operation which wasn’t a success. But, he recovered well and the decision was made not to put him through anymore operations but to allow him to get on and live his life to the fullest. He has been adopted by experienced adopters who have good, immediate access to all essential veterinary care and knowledge should his cleft palate cause Buddy any future problems. He now lives with a wonderful family of humans and canines and regularly gets to visit the DBARC team who cared so wonderfully for him for the first 6 months of his life - literally from the moment he was born to Clara