The Yorkshire Vet aired heartbreaking scenes as elderly guest Alan faced the difficult decision to put his beloved dog through surgery. Alan lives in an extra care complex in North Yorkshire with his eight-year-old miniature dachshund, Lola.
Since losing his wife of 60 years to Alzheimer's disease, Lola has been a constant source of comfort to Alan. In the emotional scenes, Alan opened up about losing his first dog while his wife was in a home, admitting he had also lost her too as she couldn't remember him.
Alan's emotional story
"My last German Shepherd died when my wife was in a home," he said on Thursday's episode of the Channel 5 show. "I was left with nothing really. As far as I was concerned, I'd lost my wife because she didn't know me, and I'd lost my dog."
"I got Lola and we got really close. My wife was in an awful state, Alzheimer's, but it was nice to come home because she was waiting for me. She always made a fuss over me," he added.
Lola's health crisis
Unfortunately, Lola had developed a bladder issue. "With her problem, she has to go every two hours. This is why I don't have fitted carpets like everyone else," Alan explained. "I couldn't live without her. I don't mind what it costs, as long as she's okay."
After Lola was booked in at the vets, Peter Wright performed an X-ray and discovered a huge problem. "She's got a huge bladder stone. Some of these can be passed, but it gets to the point where they can't be passed because they just get too big and sit there," Peter said. "With a stone this size, we have no choice but to remove it. Lola is never ever going to pass that stone. It has to be done."
Surgery success
During the surgery, Peter remarked: "She had this surgery a couple of years ago so we will have a few more complications this time because there's going to be quite a few adhesions like scar tissue that's developed. That could be a complication."
Thankfully, the surgery was a success and Peter managed to carefully remove the stone. Alan and Lola were reunited and back living together three weeks later, with Alan admitting he felt "lost" without her. "I enjoy her company and she enjoys mine," he said.
