Cariadus

It’s almost exactly six years since our greyhound, Tim, was run over on the road outside our house. He lost so much blood he almost didn’t survive. His right foreleg was so horrifically broken I was sure that he would lose his leg. I was amazed when the vet said he could fix it. The caveat was that it would be a long process, it would be expensive and there was no guarantee that he would have full use of the leg afterwards. Even if the bone healed nerve damage could render the leg useless. Amputation would be quicker and cheaper. It didn’t take us long to decide that if there was any chance of the leg being saved it would be worth it.

Tim had to endure six months of painful treatment and many times I wondered whether we’d made the right decision to try to save it. The vet, Stefano Susanna of West Farm Veterinary Clinic in Cowbridge performed a minor miracle in saving the leg, including an operation to pin the bone and fit a metal frame to the leg.

Throughout this time we had much-needed moral and financial support from Greyhound Welfare.

And now to see Tim run through the water on the beach with a look of pure enjoyment on his face, or striding across the sand, you would never guess that he came so close to losing his leg. A miracle indeed.

Four months ago today we moved to our new home in the seaside town of Barry. Compared to our previous home in the ‘posh’ town of Cowbridge a move to Barry was a step down. Barry is synonomous with run-down areas, crime and faded seaside glamour. At least that was the way that I saw it, in common, I’m sure, with most Cowbridge residents.

But what I hadn’t realised until about a year ago, is that there are actually some very attractive parts of Barry, such as the areas around Romily Park and The Knap. And, overall, once you get to know it, it’s not such a bad place.

And after four months I have to say that I love it here. To have a beautiful coastline and sandy beaches within walking distance of our home is wonderful. To be able to walk the dog on the beach is wonderful. I’ve always wanted to live by the sea, and now I do. Perhaps one day I’ll get blasé about it but at the moment it’s almost like being on an extended holiday.

These photos were taken walking the dog yesterday and today and, hopefully, you’ll see what I mean.