Molly stole the nation’s hearts when she appeared on the latest series of Supervet. Her owner Tania Ledger, founder of Cavalier Matters, explains why Molly is such a special Cavalier
Could this really be? We’re sitting in front of the same man in the same place with the same dog receiving devastating news, just as we’d done seven years previously. The man is Professor Noel Fitzpatrick. The place is Fitzpatrick Referrals. The dog is Molly, my Cavalier, who Noel diagnosed with Syringomyelia when she was just 18 months old. After much careful management she has led a pain-free, contented life, and, now aged nine, I was sure she would eventually die from old age. But I’m sat here hearing Noel tell me she has skull cancer.
Molly was our first dog, and is incredibly special to me for many reasons. Days after she came into our lives, Dougall arrived. They have been lifelong pals. He, like us, would find life without Molly very hard to bear.
Molly as a puppy: a little dog who would have a huge impact on Tania’s life
Dougall was a typical silly male who chased anything, Molly was known for her poise and intelligence. She took care of Dougall. In the first year of their lives, they appeared in a variety of training books, DVDs and were also models for a few adverts. They’ve brought joy to our lives and we are totally committed to them.
I set up Cavalier Matters after Molly was diagnosed with CM/SM and then Dougall with CM. The charity was formed to provide help to other unsuspecting owners. They are both under the care of Dr Clare Rusbridge who does a wonderful job ensuring they are pain free.
Over the years Molly and Dougall accepted and generously shared their lives with the arrival of other Cavaliers who were given up due to this horrible disease. Molly is also special because she had a place in my father’s heart. Her diagnosis came a few months after I lost my father, which left me bereft and severely depressed.
It was a difficult and surreal time in our lives, not least because we were being filmed for “The Supervet: Bionic Specials”. I was very conscious of the cameras and I was trying to focus on what Noel was saying but my mind was reeling. He explained that Molly would not survive it if we did not remove the tumour, as well as she appeared. The tumour would spread into the eye and her nasal passage and eventually she would suffocate.
I was concerned how this procedure would affect her SM. How would they attach the mesh? Would this not hurt and cause bone pain, exacerbating existing problems? Noel explained the process of 3D printing, that they would attach the mesh with waxy plastic rivets, and the tool to cut the bone would not cut soft tissue.
We had no choice, if we didn’t go ahead we would surely lose her.
We left the practice and went home to discuss the procedure with friends and family. Most were against it and felt the operation would be too invasive. We had little sleep, lots of tears and continual worry. The worst part was not having my father to talk to. However, there was no question for me: I had to give Molly a chance. I made myself busy, found a large pen and other items to aid her recovery.
Molly and Dougall have been inseparable since puppy hood
The day came. I felt sick to the pit of my stomach. At the surgery I held her tight hoping this was just a bad dream and I would wake up any moment. Molly was still happy. The growth had grown quite significantly in the week since initial consultation. I handed her over and, as Noel left the room, Molly looked back at me unsuspecting. Probably she was wondering if she was going for treats! Molly had never been away from home before but would need to stay at Fitzpatrick Referrals for six days.
I wanted to camp in reception but Noel preferred us to go home as he would feel our pressure and stress. If we didn’t hear from him by 9pm he said that would be the time to worry. But 9pm came, no phone call. I said to myself that I would leave it until 9.30pm before I rang. At 9.05pm I called. The nurse explained Noel was running late and Molly had only just gone into theatre.
Later, I wasn’t sure of the time by then, Noel was on the phone. He carefully explained how he’d carried out the procedure and that the next 48 hours were crucial. We were so grateful she got this far and seemed to have coped very well. This was not the phone call televised and, silly as it might sound, I really worry that Supervet viewers might not have realised how amazingly grateful I was to Noel.
The next day was my birthday. We spent most of it just waiting by our phones in case there was news. We felt as though we were in the dark and so far away but in reality Noel Fitzpatrick and his team made regular calls and kept us informed of her progress.
Molly had her operation Thursday night and was due home the following Tuesday. On Sunday Noel called to say she was doing well but was making a strange yowling noise and asked if we knew why she did this. I explained Molly was missing us and wanted to come home. Noel felt she would recover better at home and so discharged her.
Molly’s home: Dougall was very happy to have his best friend back
It was quite late Sunday night we went to collect our patient. Fitzpatrick’s was open and caring for pets as usual. While we were waiting a poor little puppy Labrador was brought in who had been attacked by a larger dog. We waited patiently and eventually Molly was brought through to us. She looked a bit battered but it was our lovely sweet girl.
We got her home and she was delighted to see the rest of the pack as usual. She happily settled in her new giant pen. Two days later she abandoned it to be part of the family again.
Molly is really well, playing and running around as though nothing has happed. We feel it may have helped her SM but this is only a feeling. Molly and Dougall are together again, we hope, for a few more years.
We are grateful and thankful for the guidance from Clare Rusbridge, Noel Fitzpatrick and all the staff at Fitzpatrick Referrals, and all the support from our wonderful friends who are part of the Cavalier Matters’ team: Sandra, Karen and Nicki.