A puppy raiser in Swanley, Kent, describes the ordeal of nursing Orlando, a guide dog prospect, through a near-fatal case of tetanus.
The puppy arrived at the raiser's home at eight weeks old as part of the Guide Dogs charity programme. Puppies typically live with their raisers for 12 to 18 months while undergoing initial training.
When Orlando was a few weeks into his time there, the raiser noticed him shaking his head. A routine vet visit escalated quickly. On the second consultation, vets told the raiser to rush Orlando to the Royal Veterinary Hospital with an urgent diagnosis: tetanus.
Dogs are not vaccinated against tetanus because the disease is extremely rare in the species. The raiser did not initially grasp how critically ill Orlando had become. Within the first week of hospitalisation, Orlando was completely paralysed. The raiser spent nights awake, bracing for a call informing her he had died.
The paralysis was so severe that Orlando had to relearn basic functions. He needed to learn how to eat, walk and perform tasks he had already mastered before falling ill. He could not continue his guide dog training during recovery.
Despite the setback, Orlando made a full recovery. The raiser reports he eventually completed his training and went on to work as a guide dog, helping to change someone's life.
The story appears in the Guardian's Lifestyle section as a personal reflection on an unforgettable animal.