In August 2014 Northern English Springer Spaniel Rescue (NESSR)was asked to help a young Working Cocker with a serious paw problem. Coco's previous family had never owned such a lively breed of dog before and were completely unprepared for the work required to meet her needs. In addition they had not felt able to continue with the mounting costs of her veterinary care, resulting in her problems getting to the point that she had a gapping wound on her leg and a toe that was constantly dislocating.

NESSR could not turn her away even though it was uncertain how much more veterinary care she would need and how much it would cost. Making sure dogs are safe and well cared for is the most important part of the work of NESSR.

It quickly became clear that she would need an operation to remove the dislocating toe and to help clear up the wound on her leg. This was done and the long process of getting her to heal started.

For those that know the Working Cockers they will be well aware that "taking it easy" and "gentle walks" or indeed "walking" are not in their DNA. Crate rest and lead walks are alright for a couple of weeks, after which a typical Working Cocker will start to go stir crazy and do laps of the living room walls. Coco is a typical young Working Cocker spaniel, she loves two things in life a cuddle and running.

For NESSR and Coco it has been very much a few paws forward and a few paws back in progress. Just as the first paw was finally starting to heal she unfortunately damaged another paw whilst out on a typical speedy "walk", despite months of expert veterinary treatment and constant care and attention by her fabulous foster carer it was still not healing. So another NESSR foster carer cam forward who had more access to soft grass areas on which she could run.

So Coco is now enjoying the delights of the Cotswolds. Intially the new environment seems to suit her paws so much better and we were hopeful that her troubles were over. Sadly the battle is not over we have taken a few paws back again and now she needs another expensive operation to remove a toe.  We have been told that this treatment will cost NESSR at least £350 and in addition we will need to have her fitted with some special Ruff Wear boots to protect her paws from further damage.

Coco is only 18months old, throughout all her treatment she has never once grumbled. She treats every veterinary examination as an excuse for a cuddle and melts the hearts of everyone she meets.

NESSR is run entirely by volunteers and has made a long term commitment to Coco. We are determined that she should receive the very best veterinary care so that she can live a full and active life. Every penny you donate will help Coco and if we raise more that is needed for her treatment then it will help the other dogs who also require veterinary treatment.

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