A WHIPPET who survived a horrific accident in which the animal was literally skinned has been nominated for the first ?braveheart? award to be presented by Okeford Veterinary Surgery. Carey, who is seven years old, was out walking with owners Barry and Jackie Anderson in Abbeyford Woods when she caught herself on a nail sticking out from a fencepost. Mr and Mrs Anderson rushed her to Okeford, where vet Will Gartrell started emergency work to repair the damage. Mr Gartrell said: ?It was quite an extensive injury, a big hunk of skin was pulled back from the shoulder to the tail.? The first operation on Carey involved around 80 stitches ? then another 40 were required with a second bout of surgery. Mr Gartrell said: ?We were very concerned to start with, but the flap of skin took really well. ?We nominated her for the first award because it was such a horrific injury and also because she was such a model patient, she did really well ? it?s now got to the point where it?s almost entirely healed,? he said. Barry Anderson said he feared the worst when he first saw the extent of Carey?s injury. ?I was in tears, to be honest,? he said. ?When we got her to the vets I though they were going to have to put her down, but the vets were terrific, I can?t praise them enough.? He said the couple have been taking it in turns to sleep downstairs with Carey, who they rescued as an abandoned youngster. ?She?s been absolutely brilliant, the perfect patient,? said Barry. Okeford vets intend to make an award every month to patients they feel are particularly deserving. An overall winner will be chosen at the end of the year.
