A woman whose compassion led her to set up the country\u2019s first animal hospice is now concerned that too many dying humans lack the love and care they deserve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some years ago Alexis Fleming was bedridden with a severe chronic illness and wanted to end her own life \u2013 but thanks to her beloved dog Maggie, she made it through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maggie died two years later of lung cancer on a vet\u2019s operating table and Alexis founded the Maggie Fleming Animal Hospice<\/em>, based near Kirkcudbright, so that other animals would not die alone and in distress. She also set up its sister project the Karass Sanctuary for Farmed Animals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alexis\u2019 days are long and demanding \u2013 feeding, medicating, exercising and cleaning so that the dogs, cats, cockerels (including a magnificent bird named Adam Jones), sheep, cattle and even turkeys are comfortable, happy and (for the sick) pain free.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Much of the idea is to make them feel loved, safe, secure and cared for. With one collie that had spent much of its life chained to a post (losing most of its teeth trying to chew through the metal) her ambition is that for even just a little while it can feel like \u201cthe best wee dog in the world\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The story is told in her book No Life Too Small <\/em>which Alexis will be discussing at the Wigtown Book Festival on Tuesday, 28 September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But already a new chapter is unfolding. She says: \u201cA lot of people are facing death alone and one of the things I\u2019m interested in is doing for them the equivalent for what I do for animals. Just visiting people in their own homes, talking to them, perhaps helping them feel more comfortable and at ease.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s something Alexis feels is sadly lacking in contemporary society where we fail to face death or grief very effectively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The idea is in its early stages, and something she is considering offering locally, but it comes from a conviction that a good death is possible, one where anxieties have been addressed, old wounds healed and the end can come without fear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n She said: \u201cThe more I have done this with animals, the more I realise I want to do this with other humans \u2013 it\u2019s having a connection with someone and that\u2019s the key.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n These are feelings closely related to Alexis\u2019 own experiences of desperation and the battle she faced to make it through. <\/p>\n\n\n\n And in the meantime people are already benefiting from her work \u2013 turning up and enjoying time with the creatures on her 4.5 acres of land. She says: \u201cThere are a few folk who have just left their phone at the door and gone up on the hillside to sit in a field \u2013 for a bit of sheep therapy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many of the farm animals are on palliative care. Some have been passed to her by farming families who took sympathy on them including \u201clambs that were born blind, or a bit wonky or just not put together quite properly\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Among the eight dogs she is currently caring for is a Staffordshire bull terrier called Benny, and another called Rupert, who has cancer and was dumped near Grimsby \u2013 who she describes as \u201cjust brilliant\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And according to Alexis, the benefits of the care she offers flow both ways: \u201cIt certainly heals me. I can get me into some fairly tricky places at times, so when my body falls apart and I\u2019m struggling, I’ve got to keep good for them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wigtown Book Festival takes place from 24 September to 4 October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n – Ends –<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Notes <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Wigtown Book Festival supporters include Creative Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway Council. <\/p>\n\n\n\n