| Matthew McDonald (5) grew up terrified of the neighbourhood mutts around his home at Ambleside Gardens, Kirkton, until his mum Gillian heard that one way to help him over his fear was to get a puppy.
Enter Charlie, a weeks-old furry ball of fun, a cross between a Lhasa Apso and a Jack Russell, and in the shortest space of time he and Matthew became inseparable pals, playing in the garden and rolling around in mock wrestling matches.
“It made such a difference”, said Gillian. “He has lost his fear of dogs and regards Charlie as his brother.
But a routine check-up with the vet when Charlie was six weeks old revealed the distressing news that he had a hole in the heart — a condition, which without urgent treatment, will curtail his life.
Gillian added, “I had to explain to Matthew that Charlie has a sore heart and wouldn’t be able to play much or walk.”
Worse, the vet said the bill to rectify the life-threatening ailment would be £1200. Until then, he said, Charlie would gradually become weaker.
Unfortunately, the vet’s bill is beyond the family’s reach, and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, which has a hospital in Dundee, can’t help since their resources are stretched.
The family have opened a building society account in Charlie’s name (Alliance and Leicester 20483132052) and have also arranged a quiz night at Ferrari’s pub on 31 May and taken a couple of stalls at Ardler Fun Day on June 16.
They have also written to as many dog-loving celebrities as they can think of, asking if they can help. |
