< Previous60 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY PETS CORNER M ichael was just six months old when he was diagnosed with Hemivertebrae, a congenital spinal disorder where the animal’s vertebrae are fused or develop abnormally. “The vet said ‘I’m really sorry sir, there’s nothing I can do,’” Michael’s owner Richard Bowman, from Hull, explained. “I was devastated.” Nevertheless, Richard and his partner Darren refused to give up on Michael, convincing the vet to refer them to Dr Noel Fitzpatrick’s clinic in Surrey. Fitzpatrick’s clinic in Surrey is the focus of Channel 4 show The Super Vet, where he and his team use innovative techniques to improve the life of animals suffering from a range of serious (and often life- threatening) conditions. Fitzpatrick’s team accepted the referral and within days had conducted extensive testing on Michael, including an MRI scan to better understand the severity of his condition. “The technician said she’d seen the condition before in a French Bulldog, but never this bad,” Richard said. The team decided to operate on Michael to stabilise his spine, but with the tests and surgery costing £8,000 in total, Richard was forced to borrow money from friends and family to fund Michael’s care. Usually, vets would wait until the animal is older before performing this kind of surgery, but due to concerns that Michael wouldn’t live that long without treatment, the neurosurgeon decided to go ahead. Unfortunately, the surgery failed, due to the metal pins in Michael’s back snapping as he grew. “We knew it was a risk,” said Richard. “But they had to take it all out and start again.” The 10-hour surgery cost a further £8,000, but this time it was a success. Although he requires ongoing care, Michael lives his life to the fullest. He receives hydrotherapy once a week, physiotherapy every two weeks and acupuncture once a month, as well as eats a hypoallergenic due to stomach issues. Super vet helps to give new life to pup no one thought would survive A French Bulldog who vets said had no chance of survival is thriving thanks to his owner’s love, a celebrity vet, and support from a Lincoln-based animal charity. 60-61.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2022 10:14 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 61 PETS CORNER “In our last session the vet said she’d never seen him looking so good,” Richard said. “The physio thinks the same.” He might never regain full strength in his back legs, so Fitzpatrick’s advised getting Michael a wheelchair. “He doesn’t wear them in the house, as it’s more of a hindrance,” said Richard. “He gets stuck on the door frames.” Richard also does daily physio exercises with Michael, which have helped him to rebuild some of the muscle in his back legs, and he is continuing to get stronger. “The physio said she’d like to get him to a point where he can hold his own weight up,” he said. “He can stand up now if you hold him up either side, but she’d like him to physically be able to do it on his own. “There is still a chance he will be able to walk eventually, but it’s not likely. She thinks he will be able to walk better than he does now though.” Fitzpatrick’s told Michael that the condition was likely caused by overbreeding. Richard contacted the woman he’d purchased Michael from, suggesting that she get in touch with other buyers and warn them. “Fitzpatrick’s said there is a high possibility that other dogs in that litter will have the condition,” he explained. “I mentioned this to the breeder at the time and she never replied.” Richard tried to get in touch with her again, as Fitzpatrick’s said that preventative surgery was an option for any of the siblings that showed symptoms. However, the breeder refused to let the other adopters know. “She said she didn’t want to cause them worry if nothing was wrong, but I said they’d be able to do surgery to prevent it from getting as bad as Michael’s,” Richard said. “She didn’t ever let them know.” “As a gesture of goodwill she sent us £500 back of what we’d paid. We put it toward costs for his surgery, but two surgeries alone have cost us £16,000.” Lincoln animal charity Pumpkin and Friends are paying the ongoing costs for Michael’s hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, laser treatment and magnetic mat therapy—a non-invasive treatment that can help increase blood flow to injured parts of the body, encouraging healing. The charity was founded by Lincoln-based nail technician Tammie Fox and is named after her own dog Pumpkin, a disabled Westie and therapy dog whose journey has been inspiring others. Tammie organised a 100-dog walk across the Humber Bridge in July to help pay for Michael’s wheelchair, raising £3,000 in total. “We are proud to be supporting Michael and having him as a part of our Wheelie Good Friends scheme,” Tammie said. “We love him and will continue to help as much as we can.” Keeping your dog calm during fireworks Is your dog scared of fireworks or are you unsure how they are going to react? Being prepared is better than not knowing! Here are some tips from Lady Pea’s Dogs to help. A dog’s fear isn’t always about the sound of fireworks, it could be the flashing lights, vibrations or even the smell of them. Preparing your dog Identify a room in your home that doesn’t have many windows and is sound proofed. Place their crate or create a den in this area, to help them feel safe and secure. Play ‘Through a Dog’s Ear’ music while giving them something to chew in their crate or den like an antler or hoof, this will help create calmness. Practice this 4 to 5 times a week. On the day Allow your dog to have lots of physical exercise during the day. Before the fireworks start play indoor games like ‘Scent Work’ or hide and seek with food or toys. Once your dog is mentally tired, play ‘Through A Dog’s Ear’ music along with a chew in their secure place. If your dog needs reassurance during the evening, then please give it to them. You can’t reinforce fear by giving affection, but you can help them to be calmer by sliding your hands over their ears or using other touch techniques. For more help and advice, please contact Susie Parker-Garrick at Lady Pea’s Dogs on 07977 290920 info@ladypeasdogs.co.uk or visit our website www.ladypeasdogs.co.uk. © Shutterstock /Albina Gavrilovic Dogs Lady Pea's SOLVING ALL YOUR DOG'S NEEDS 60-61.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2022 10:14 Page 262 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY COUNTY MOTORING BMW iX (Electric) Top Electrified Towing Cars Top Electrified Towing Cars 62-65.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2022 10:18 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 63 COUNTY MOTORING BMW iX (Electric) The new all-electric mid-size SUV from BMW currently leads the way in the towing stakes because it can haul 2,500kg. It has a range of 348 miles with a recharge speed of 200kW, while numerous powertrains can, when not towing, get from 0- 62mph in as little as 3.8-seconds. The iX comes with a futuristic interior that’s well designed and well built, as we’ve come to expect from BMW. Unfortunately, it’s over £77,000 – excluding the caravan. Porsche Cayenne (Plug-In Hybrid) With a mighty 3,500kg of pulling power, the Porsche Cayenne SUV is not to be messed with. Granted, such towing capability may be overkill, so this doesn’t mean the Cayenne is the best fit for all. But, along with the next car on the list, it’s the leader when it comes to towing the maximum amount possible amongst hybrids and electric vehicles. With it, you’ll get a 3.0-litre, 462PS powertrain that manages 91mpg, which isn’t exactly lacking, while it can do 83mph on all- electric power (not while towing, mind). As the number of hybrids and electric cars increases on our roads, more of us that need a tow-friendly vehicle will be planning to make the switch. So here are a few top electrified cars to whet your appetite. 64 Á 62-65.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2022 10:18 Page 264 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY COUNTY MOTORING Porsche Cayenne (Plug-In Hybrid) Tesla Model X (Electric) On top of that, it’s four-wheel drive, and you get a luxurious interior packed full of kit, which is arguably class-leading. Cayennes aren’t cheap, and at around £72,500, the hybrid version is ten grand more expensive than the entry-level petrol version. In addition, while it’s not short on equipment, Porsche holds some of its best features back, and, as a result, the automaker has one of the most extensive options lists. You will likely be tempted into parting with even more cash before driving away in one. Volkswagen Touareg (Plug-In Hybrid) If the Cayenne is too much, then you could consider the Touareg. 62-65.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2022 10:18 Page 3LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 65 COUNTY MOTORING Volkswagen Touareg (Plug-In Hybrid) With a mighty 3,500kg of pulling power, the VW Touareg SUV shares the Cayenne’s accolade of being the champ at the weightlifting contest. It shares a lot more with the Cayenne, too, because, with the same powertrain, it’s effectively a Cayenne with a VW badge. The Volkswagen offers more dynamic looks than Touaregs of old, has a well-designed leather interior, 22-inch wheels, air suspension, adaptive chassis control and a digital cockpit. Annoyingly, while the entry-level petrol costs £55,000, only the ‘R’ version is a hybrid, costing a whopping £77,000. So, unbelievably, it’s more expensive than the Porsche. In fairness, the ‘R’ version is the top-of-the-range Touareg, so you’ll get more kit for your money. But who’s going to buy a pricier VW over a cheaper Porsche? Hopefully, Volkswagen will expand the hybrid offering to the rest of the range. It needs to because it has so much going for it. Tesla Model X (Electric) The biggest Tesla in the range gives the iX a run for its money but ultimately comes up short. Nevertheless, its towing limit of 2,268kg should suffice for most. Whereas the fastest iX will get up to 62mph in 3.8- seconds, the slowest Model X will manage the same in 3.9-seconds (the quicker Plaid version is 2.5-seconds). Of course, we don’t recommend trying this with a caravan, but at least that demonstrates its power. You will get around 340 miles of range when not towing, and the interiors of Teslas take some beating if you like stylish minimalism. If this sounds more appealing than the BMW, the standard model is £82,000 – which doesn’t include any clever Autopilot gadgetry. So, as you can see, for the moment, finding suitable hybrid and all-electric tow vehicles is still an expensive endeavour. But if you do a lot of travelling with a caravan attached, then opting for these eco-friendlier cars could save you money in the long term. 62-65.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2022 10:18 Page 466 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY COUNTY MOTORING Audi R8 As seductive as its looks Audi R8 As seductive as its looks 66-67.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2022 10:22 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 67 COUNTY MOTORING A udi’s R8, the superstar of the Germanic marque's range, stirs up an intoxicating stew of sensations when you slide behind its wheel. Not only does the alluring coupe look good enough to take a bite out of, it almost hypnotises you. It toys with your reasoning, enticing you to toss away your troubles and immerse yourself in its company. You will experience glowing cheeks, a hammering heart and clammy hands when you first gun the Audi. And inside your body, there’ll be changes that confirm the God of desire’s arrow has been fired. In all truthfulness, the R8 will cause your dopamine and serotonin levels to start bubbling over. Yes, what we’re declaring is that you'll fall in love, or indeed lust, with the two-door supercar. It’s a true beauty, a work of automotive art, and the model has become even more staggering to look at, let alone drive. The front end now has an angular front grille, and the laser lights fitted to our test car have the power to illuminate the road up to 600m ahead. At the rear, things seem lower and broader than before, and trapezoid pipes supersede the oval exhausts of old. Inside, a virtual cockpit display can be controlled totally by push buttons on the flat-bottomed steering wheel or through a dial on the console. Getting comfortable in the V10’s bucket seats is easy, and the R8 is surprisingly straightforward to drive. That said, the snorting, visceral tone emitting from the powertrain, assembled behind the two front chairs, always keeps you respectful of the Audi’s capabilities. The engine is shared with the unbridled Lamborghini Huracan, so 0- 62mph is done in a bullet-out-of-a-muzzle quick 3.2 seconds, and you can press on to a top speed of 205mph. Gloriously insane? Of course. A seven-speed S tronic gearbox is standard in all V10 models. The fast-shifting dual-clutch transmission features an ingenious launch control function that provides the best possible traction when the car flexes its muscles and takes off. The might of the engine’s output momentarily thumps you back into your seat when the Audi’s clout is unleashed via the Quattro all-wheel- drive system. And the sound of the car is almost as seductive as its looks. 66-67.qxp_Layout 1 20/09/2022 10:22 Page 268 LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY what’s Due to the coronavirus outbreak, readers should be aware that events may have been cancelled or postponed. All dates correct as of publishing, but please check beforehand. Lincoln October 1 Wonderland Masquerade Black Tie Ball - DoubleTree by Hilton Lincoln Hotel Enjoy an enchanting night of fun - and fundraising - with the RSPCA Lincolnshire. Join the RSPCA for an evening in Wonderland at the Wonderland Masquerade Black Tie Ball. Tickets include a welcome drink, three- course meal, wine on the table, post- dinner tea and coffee, entertainment during your meal, and an evening disco. The RSPCA will also be hosting their Grand Raffle on the night, as well as a few other exciting opportunities. Stamford October 5 A Room of One’s Own - Stamford Theatre The award-winning creators of Christmas Gothic, Female Gothic, Austen’s Women, and I, Elizabeth return with a twenty-first century take on Virginia Woolf’s celebrated pre-TED talk. Take a wry, amusing, and incisive trip through the history of literature, feminism, and gender. Meet Charlotte Brontë, Jane Austen, Aphra Behn, and Shakespeare’s sister – Judith! Travel to the far-flung future of… 2028. But whatever you do, Keep Off the Grass. Rebecca Vaughan (Dalloway, Orlando, Christmas Gothic, Austen’s Women, Jane Eyre: An Autobiography) performs Woolf’s 1928 exploration of the impact of poverty and sexual inequality on intellectual freedom and creativity. Grantham October 7 Soul Train - Guildhall Theatre Soul Train will steam into Grantham with a fine feast of soulful gems. Harking back to the wonderful days when the dance floor was king, the show features a fun presentation of 60s and 70s soul classics. From early soul days of Tamla Motown, Stax and Atlantic records through to disco and beyond, the show brings on the good times. Featured in a fun, feel good production are classic hit songs by Stevie Wonder, Isley Brothers, Supremes, Gladys Knight, O’Jays, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Ike & Tina Turner, Donna Summer, Candi Staton, Whitney Houston, Billy Ocean, Lionel Richie, Tavares and many more great artists that still keep us singing and dancing. Spalding October 7 - 8 Pumpkin Festival - Ayscoughfee Hall and Spalding town centre Spalding’s annual Pumpkin Festival will return to the town this year on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 October, celebrating local horticulture and harvest with an array of Lincoln October 14 - November 2 Lincoln Pumpkin Trail The annual Lincoln Pumpkin Trail is back! Follow this spooktacular trail through the historic city streets, stopping off at some fantastic local businesses along the way. All you need to take part is a trail map, which you can pick up in the Visitor Information Centre - you may even win a prize! © stock.adobe.com/zef art 68-73.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2022 09:54 Page 1LINCOLNSHIRE TODAY 69 70 Á games, craft activities, live entertainment, food and gift stalls for the whole family to enjoy. Stamford October 8 Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment; Baroquebusters - Stamford Ballroom Classic hits from the 17th Century’s hottest composers. Music by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi and their contemporaries are still familiar to us today through recordings, film soundtracks, adverts or remixes. This concert explores the stories behind the best-loved pieces of the era and why they remain popular today. The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, a trail-blazing ensemble, performs The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba by Handel, Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No 3, Vivaldi’s Spring from The Four Seasons and more. They play on ‘period instruments’ so you hear the music as the composers might have imagined it. Spalding October 14 Buddy Holly & The Cricketers - South Holland Centre This breath taking show has rock ’n’ rolled Lincoln October 28 IBCC Harvest Festival - International Bomber Command Centre Enjoy a day of autumnal family fun at the International Bomber Command Centre’s Harvest Festival. The Harvest Festival is a great occasion celebrating Earth’s bounty, especially during the Second World War, when people were encouraged to Dig for Victory to supplement the loss of food imports from overseas. Even in modern times, we are encouraged to grow our own produce. So, in that spirit, come along to a free family activity day at the IBCC. There will be crafts and fun games to play, so why not make a day of it? Stop by the IBCC cafe and you will also be able to treat yourself to some homegrown produce from their Dig for Victory gardens! © stock.adobe.com/Jason Wells Lincoln October 13 - 15 Lincoln Book Festival - multiple venues Lincoln Book Festival returns this year with a new abridged format, offering a series of completely free literary events designed to champion new creative writing from across Lincolnshire. After two years disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, for this year only the festival will be packing the full programme into one long weekend of literary celebrations. All events will place a firm focus on emerging and established Lincolnshire-based writers and works inspired by the county. Events will cater for all ages and interests, running from 13 to 15 October 2022 at venues including The Drill, The Collection and Lincoln Central Library. © stock.adobe.com/motizova 68-73.qxp_Layout 1 21/09/2022 09:54 Page 2Next >