Henry

Valerie has brought her beloved ten-and-a-half-year-old Golden Retriever Henry to see Noel, with a view to having surgery to treat a chronically damaged disc in his spine.

She and Henry have been life long companions and originally they shared their lives with Henry’s elder brother, Rupert. But when Rupert fell ill, he tragically died during surgery, which has left Valerie with a dread of history repeating itself, a residual anxiety about the risks involved, and a need for reassurance from Noel before making her final decision.

“We see lots of older dogs at the practice and the bond of love that they have had over many years with their families is incredible” says Noel, “but we always have to do what is morally and ethically right. Ultimately, every decision has to be in the animal’s best interest.”