Home Life Style JENNI MURRAY: I have become a full-time caregiver… for my ten-year-old Chihuahua.

JENNI MURRAY: I have become a full-time caregiver… for my ten-year-old Chihuahua.

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Jenni Murray with her beloved chihuahuas

Last week’s invitations came thick and fast. Would I like to go to the theater to see Oedipus? I would love to but unfortunately I can’t. I am confined at home.

One friend suggested lunch and another dinner. I’m sorry, I can’t go out. Each one expressed great concern about my health and I had to explain to them that I am not the invalid. My poor dear dog, Madge, is the one who keeps me at home.

Caring for her has become a full-time, all-day job. I had to become a veterinary nurse. On a table in front of me are seven different types of medications, along with seven sheets of paper on which I have to record that the medications have been administered daily for a week. The treatment begins every day at 7:00 a.m. and ends at 10:30 p.m.

Jenni Murray with her beloved chihuahuas

I’ve had dogs all my life and never had any serious reason to visit a vet, other than contraceptive surgeries in the early stages of a puppy’s life and then annual injections and flea removal. That terrible time has finally come when assisted dying has been the only option at the end of a long life, but overall my dogs and cats have been fit and strong.

But I’m writing this as a warning. A reminder to everyone that the cute little puppy you decide to bring home one day may cause the problems Madge and I are having to endure.

It all started a couple of months ago. Madge, now ten years old, has been the most adorable companion and is still young for a Chihuahua, given that the breed can live up to twenty years old.

But I started to notice that she seemed a little unsure when it came to moving around the house. He had always been looking forward to being put on a harness and leash for a walk in the park. But suddenly she refused to go through the front door. Then his eyes started to look milky. It was clear that he had been losing his sight. I suspected cataracts.

My vet confirmed my suspicions and recommended an appointment at the small animal hospital on the Royal Veterinary College campus in Potters Bar. He could make a recommendation, which would cost £120. It was just the beginning of a mind-boggling treatment cost if I wanted to move forward.

A rather harsh friend suggested I give it up and buy another one. How could anyone have thought he would consider such a thing?

For a decade, she has shared my house and my bed. I love her more than many people I know. It must be cared for and cured while possible. I owe it to her.

We left for the hospital on Monday a week and a half ago. The cardiologist examined Madge. She was deemed suitable for surgery and I was given a talk about the risks. Apparently, removing cataracts in dogs is much more difficult than in humans.

I would have to apply different types of eye drops daily, make sure she wore a plastic collar to protect her eyes, and help her eat and drink.

He would not allow himself to waste time or fight with my energetic 18-month-old Minnie, another Chihuahua. Short walks just in the garden. Oh, and by the way, the operation and immediate aftercare would cost £5,500. Thank God, three or four years ago I decided to insure my pets. For Madge, the cost is just over £50 a month. This meant £3,000 of the bill would be covered. I still have a lot to find, but it’s worth every penny.

I dropped her off at the hospital on Monday. She had surgery on Tuesday and regained her vision. I was going to pick her up on Friday.

Jenni Murray's dog Madge is keeping her at home while the now 10-year-old Chihuahua recovers from cataract surgery.

Jenni Murray’s dog Madge is keeping her at home while the now ten-year-old Chihuahua recovers from cataract surgery.

She looked so fragile and miserable when they brought her to me. There was a little wave of recognition and a little wag of the tail.

I took her to the car and put the large bag with medications, instructions and clinical reports to fill out on the floor. Once home, some kind neighbors saw me struggling to get her and all the things into the house and came to help.

Minnie, normally a total nutcase, immediately took on the role of kind little sister. And I began my job as a nurse with a particularly grueling routine: at 7 a.m., two sets of drops, one in each eye with a ten-minute interval between medications. At 8 in the morning, a pill wrapped in cheese: the only way to get him to take it; At 9:00 a.m., a different tablet and different drops: one drop only in the right eye. An hour later, three different sets of drops in both eyes with a ten minute interval between each: at 2:00 pm some food and an oral pain reliever.

At 4 p.m. two more types of casualties; 20:00 a tablet; 9:00 p.m. a different pill and a drop in the right eye. At 10 p.m. three types of casualties. Finally, at 10:30, a large vodka and tonic for the nurse.

I know I’m doing the best I can for her, but she has no idea why I’m causing her so much discomfort. I think she hates me right now. I’m sure he’ll love me again when it’s all over, although he’ll have to take drops for the rest of his life. Let’s go to our review today. Let’s cross our fingers.

So if you are thinking of taking home a little creature to be your company and comfort, remember that it will depend on you for life. What Madge and I are going through requires unconditional love and devotion from both parties. Please wish us the best.

Saoirse silences the boys!

Saoirse Ronan on The Graham Norton Show in the episode aired last week

Saoirse Ronan on The Graham Norton Show in the episode aired last week

Two guys on the Graham Norton show on Friday made a joke they’ll probably regret.

Eddie Redmayne has explained how, while training for his TV remake of spy thriller Day Of The Jackal, he was taught to defend himself with his phone.

Fellow actor Paul Mescal found this funny and laughed that if someone attacked him, he would hardly think of his phone as a weapon. Fortunately, a resourceful woman was present: Saoirse Ronan, the brilliant actress. She slapped them with a quick, “That’s what girls have to think about all the time.” The children were silent while the women in the audience cheered.

It’s time for all men to learn how much women fear attacks; yes, all the time.

Don’t delete the best program on the Beeb

Hard Talk host Stephen Sackur before his interview with Christine Lagarde in 2013

Hard Talk host Stephen Sackur before his interview with Christine Lagarde in 2013

I am furious that BBC Director General Tim Davie is taking the Corporation’s best programme, Hard Talk, off the air.

The hard-hitting talk show has been on the air for almost 30 years and has a global audience of 70 million.

Guests questioned by host Stephen Sackur range from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to Gwyneth Paltrow.

I know a little about interviews and Sackur is the best.

How I’d love to see Sir Keir Starmer getting a dose of Sackur’s Hard Talk.

King Charles and Queen Camilla during a visit to a beach in Apia, Samoa, this month

King Charles and Queen Camilla during a visit to a beach in Apia, Samoa, this month

I have followed Charles and Camilla’s photographs as they toured Australia and Samoa. How is it possible, I’ve wondered, that people look younger as they get older? It’s surprising, especially considering the difficult year they must both be going through, as the King endures cancer treatment since his diagnosis in February. Whatever they’ve been doing, I want some.

Pixie Lott in her Aperol Spritz Halloween costume, which she wore to a party at Annabel's private club in Mayfair last week.

Pixie Lott in her Aperol Spritz Halloween costume, which she wore to a party at Annabel’s private club in Mayfair last week.

What an incredible dress pop star Pixie Lott wore to a Halloween party. It made me think it was time to try the cocktail of the moment, the Aperol Spritz. Aperol, prosecco and sparkling water. It makes my vodka and tonic look very old-fashioned!

  • Oh my goodness, the birth rate is dropping to a dangerously low level, but hey, don’t blame us. Do you want women to have more babies? Good. Ensure that working mothers are respected and promoted and offer cheaper childcare services.

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