UPDATE 30th October 2023

From Ollie himself

Hello, my amazing friends, it's me, Ollie, the incredibly handsome chap who really needed your help back in august. I just had to check in and give you a big, slobbery "thank you" for all your love and support.

You might remember that a while back, I was in a bit of a tough spot. But, oh my dog, you came through for me in a way that makes my tail wag with joy.

You see, I had some pretty icky stuff going on with my legs. It turned out that I needed not one, but TWO surgeries to make me feel better, and guess what? I found the pawfect Florence Nightingale to look after me. I’ve started my road to recovery, and the news is pawsitively great .

My surgeon did an amazing job, and they even managed to ”shave off" my arthritic spurs. I'm over the moon about that. I know I still have a bit of healing ahead of me, and then I’ve been told I have another operation on my other leg, but my prognosis is looking brighter than a sunny day at the dog park.

My wonderful caregiver is also using some fancy-pants alternative healing methods to help me along the way. So, rest assured, I'm in the best pawsible hands.

I promise to keep you updated on my progress because you've become a big part of my journey to a pain-free future. I'm so excited about what's to come, and I couldn't have done it without you!

In the next six months, I hope to be running, playing, and living a pain-free life, all thanks to you. So, from the bottom of my furry eternally grateful heart, thank you for being the amazing humans you are.

I love you all with every tail wag and bark.

UPDATE 21st August 2023

Ollie wants to thank you all for your amazing support. Incredibly in just over a day together enough has been raised for both of his surgeries.

The unwavering support and love of our adopters, fosterers, and supporters like you, and your generosity has not only brought relief to Ollie's pain but has breathed hope and new life into his journey.

His new life will begin soon, the whole 1 Dog team can’t wait for Ollie to start living a pain free happy life.

We know Ollie's journey to full recovery is still a long road, rest assured we'll keep you updated on his progress every step of the way. We believe in transparency and want all of our donors to see how their contributions are making a difference.

We're immensely grateful for the adopter who's stepped forward to help Ollie recuperate after his surgeries.

Ollie may not understand the intricacies of fundraising or social media campaigns, but he'll surely feel the love and comfort that your efforts have brought him.

For future updates, please see our 1 Dog at a time rescue UK Facebook page.

Many thanks from the whole team at 1 Dog at a Time Rescue UK.

Ollie was found as a tiny puppy on 25/7/19 with his mum and 7 siblings at the side of a busy road and taken to a yard until space became available at our shelter Happys in Bistrita Romania. This sweet family stayed together until they were old enough and travelled over to the UK in October 2019.

Ollie went to a foster home until the right home was found for him. Sadly after a year his family's personal situation changed and he was returned to our rescue. The family was devastated but felt they had no choice. He stayed with them until another suitable home was found. Ollie then went to live with his new family and where he has remained for the past 2 years.

Ollie was returned to rescue and went into kennels in July 2023.

The day arrived for Ollie to be returned. Our hearts broke when we watched this sad neglected dog try to exit the back of the car, he needed help to get down from one of our team. We were informed by the owner they would have "Put Ollie to sleep if it had been their choice" ( thankfully all our dogs are dual chipped to our charity, 1Dog at a Time Rescue UK )

As Ollie was led away it was evident to all that something was seriously wrong with his leg.

As he reached his empty kennel we could see his desperate eyes searching for someone familiar to comfort him. Ollie has never been in a kennel alone, when at Happy's he was with his Mum and 7 siblings.

Ollie was absolutely terrified and cowered at the back of his kennel.

We tried several times to attain the veterinary report from the previous owner but were met with non compliance.

The next day one of our volunteers took Ollie to the Vet. Ollie was in a terrible state. His coat was completely matted, he wasn’t able to even move his leg to wash himself. He was in such obvious pain the vet was unable to continue with his examination and another appointment was made for him to return, this time for a general anesthetic, so the vet could give him a full examination and X-rays.

Ollie was put on strong pain killers and given anti inflammatory tablets.

Over the next few days once the meds had started to work Ollie had a groom and was shaved for the first time in a long while, Ollie was able to clean himself, and with the help of his pain relief, his movement became a little easier.

On the next visit to the vets we were horrified to hear and later see the extent of his injuries. This poor poor boy has bilateral cruciate ruptures of a long standing nature on both hind legs, and hasn’t had any access to pain relief. Because of the untreated tears he now has severe arthritis in both his joints. It was evident Ollie has lived for quite a while in extreme pain which has gone untreated.

Ollie is just 4 years old, and because of his age he needs two separate operations to be done two- three months apart. Different vets have given differing timescales. We have been looking at all options and have had several quotes over the phone from various veterinary clinics the cheapest being £ 1500 for each leg plus onward pain management, Antibiotics etc.

Obviously, Ollie can’t stay in kennels whilst he recovers from his major surgery. For the last month Ollie has been in foster with one of our trustees, sadly although they completely love him and he’s fitted in so perfectly with their other 5 dogs, ( most large breed shepherds from our 1 dog charity) they don’t have the facilities to give Ollie the quiet space he needs to rest and recover from his two surgeries.

We are so grateful one of our amazing adopters has stepped up and offered to care for Ollie whilst he recuperates from both his surgeries.

Ollie has a long road of treatment and then recovery ahead of him, but we have been told his prognosis is really good. Once Ollie gets through the next 6 months he will have the pain free future he deserves.

We can’t leave this poor boy to live in pain and the alternative isn’t an option so we are opening this JustGiving page in the hope we can raise enough money to give Ollie his pain free future, and find this gentle soul the kind and loving home he so deserves.

If you would like to see Ollie living the life he so deserves please consider donating to his JustGiving fundraiser.

Every single penny will be so gratefully received.