Abandoned dog now walking and loved

Terrified and confused, Hazel limped into a bush when she knew she had been spotted.

The team at our Southampton rehoming centre, where the poor lurcher had been abandoned, had to entice her away from her hiding spot beside the car park with chicken.

Although scared, Hazel was hungry, dirty and in pain – and desperate for some kindness.

Reluctantly, she eventually hobbled over to the unfamiliar outstretched hand in front of her.

Although her previous owners had brought her to a safe place, Blue Cross was left with no information about her background or mobility issues and had to start from scratch when assessing her needs and health.

But it was clear from the get-go that Hazel had problems walking. And, after numerous X-rays, it was confirmed that she had severe hip dysplasia in both hips – and a long and uncertain journey to recovery ahead.

Hazel was then transferred to our Victoria animal hospital in central London for treatment.

Hazel needed surgery on her right hip. In an operation called a femoral head ostectomy, the top of the thigh bone – the ‘ball’ that fits into the hip socket – was removed.

This leaves the muscles of the leg to hold the bone in place and provide cushioning that eventually forms a ‘false joint’. 

Due to the severity of Hazel’s condition, which sadly affects both joints, the surgery could not stop her limping completely – but it gave her back her mobility and, with daily physiotherapy, her movement continued to improve.

As Hazel needed regular medication to manage her pain and a consistent exercise regime to aid her recovery, it was crucial that she was placed in foster care.

Her longest-standing foster home was with Pete and Sue Shepherd, who took the two-year-old dog in back in April – three months after her operation – and cared for her for more than eight months. 

Pete says: “She's a lovely dog to have in the house and she gives you a lot back. She's very affectionate, very loving. And very easy in lots of ways. 

“We've had to do lots of work in terms of the assessment and trying to get to the point that she could be rehomed, with the physio and everything else. It's been a lot to do but she's a lovely dog.”

Sue reiterates: “She just adores company and adores cuddles. She’s very affectionate.”

Hazel needed a variety of daily exercise to strengthen the muscles around her damaged joints, including encouragement to step over small obstacles and move in different ways such as sideways walking. 

Once she was up to it, she also started to enjoy short walks with Pete and Sue, where she stole the hearts of many other dog walkers.

It’s largely thanks to their love and devotion to her daily physiotherapy regime, that Hazel made enough progress to finally start her search for a new home.

And, although they knew that saying goodbye would be tough, seeing a happy Hazel walk out their door towards a loving new home after all she had endured is what makes their volunteer roles as foster carers so rewarding.

“There was a time when we did wonder if we would get here [Hazel being rehomed]. It’s credit to the Blue Cross Clinical Team and everybody else that has been involved in her journey. We’ve just been a part of it, but it’s rewarding to see. We feel part of a team,” says Pete.

Sue continues: “It's great that the dogs get to this point, but it's also heartbreaking. It is really difficult, especially when we've had a dog that long, to say goodbye. But we do get used to it.”

It took some time for Hazel to find the home that she so very deserved, with the cost of life-long pain relief, potential future vet bills and an uncertain long-term prognosis putting off potential new owners.

But, after 418 days in Blue Cross care, Hazel found a kind and understanding home where she is – for the time being – comfortable, happy and thriving with her loving new family.

This is all thanks to the amazing work of our veterinary and rehoming teams, and dedicated volunteers like Pete and Sue. And this work is only made possible because of support from amazing people like you.