Theoretically, it is relevant to what you are doing, where and who you are. A dog’s life is roughly seven-years-to-our-one. Jenny Clarke, president of Association for Protection of Animals Algarve (APAA), has had this experience with her ageing dog.
“Jimmy suddenly decided to go doolally. It was frightening … I wondered if he had a stroke and sort of pulled through, and then he behaved as if he had memory loss,” she said.
Jenny had taken him to the vet, who carried out tests, and Jimmy returned home. “That was some time ago. He seemed to settle into his routine and then behaviour patterns changed again, more severely.” Back to the vets for more exams.
But Jenny felt, deep down, “that if this was not the end, it was pretty near. Jimmy had banged into furniture and walls for some time, and it seemed cruel to watch him shake himself and stagger off into the opposite direction.”
Jimmy died in his sleep some three weeks after the toing and froing to the vets.
Other members have shared their similar experiences, some vets offering alternative sedative medication. “Watching our puppies grow into young healthy adults and then into middle age is a great joy; then seeing them suddenly grow old and infirm…” Jenny is sad at Jimmy’s loss.
Those who have been there and understand the trauma will readily hold a comforting hand out to those pet people who have yet to go through the pain. But there is someone out there to talk to and help if you need it.
And now the time has also come for Jenny to announce her retirement from the presidency of APAA at the end of this year, and the association is now looking for her successor.
“I’ve elected to do a lot of things and perhaps should have delegated, but it has been my choice,” she said.
APAA want someone on the front end, taking the association into its next generation and success. Interested? Jenny has a job description and would love to chat with you and your ideas for the future of APAA.
Coming up
- April 24 – APAA Sponsored Charity Lunch at the beautiful, panoramic restaurant of the Água Hotel, Parchal. Full buffet, including drinks, €28. All welcome. Pop-up tables, Fiona’s Fi-line, Gill Goode artwork, and beautiful candles.
- May 15 – Pop-Up at Convento’ bio, Lagoa.
Visit APAA Charity shops
- Alvor: Dunas de Alvor: Mon-Sat, 10.30am-2pm
- Silves: Rua Elias Garcia 20, Mon-Fri, 10am-2pm (Sat 1pm)
Real bargains! Books, gifts, handmade jewellery, ornaments, homemade chutneys, jams, marmalades, pickles and cookies. Glassware, dinner services, cutlery. Everything you need for your home or rental. Spoil yourself! All proceeds raised for SNiP (animal sterilisation) and abandoned animals. Having a clear-out? Think APAA.
- Triple Charity Auction
- Jackie’s lunches & all events: events.apaaportugal@gmail.com
- Pets: info.apaaportugal@gmail.com (mark Anita for ‘Legacy for Pets’)
- Please check out APAA’s Facebook
