[HamsterGal]

Send doggo some love from NJ for me, JMM! We all miss him.

[Blake Isaac Gordon]

One thing that's kinda bothering me. I know (at least recently) that Al lives somewhere in England... I thought they had better health care out there than in the states...

I've had back surgery myself and from what I've heard so far of Al's symptoms, back trouble might be one of the problems... But is he actually suffering from some sort of bacterial infection as well?

Please forgive my ignorance, but from what I’ve pieced together, from most of these post (to me) seems that Al could be suffering needlessly…

Please tell me that I wrong.

[TheZookie007]

I hope it doesn't hurt when he laughs. Otherwise, he could be in for a tough time.

Hang in there, man. We need you.

[Cel]

How did I miss this thread for so long ?

That's f'ed up ... be well dude and come back quick. :-)

[homevintner]

Warm wishes and a stack of pancakes for a speedy recovery.

[joenny]

best wishes from germany to doggo!

Spoke to Al again briefly this afternoon.

Unfortunately he sounded worse than ever. There is no strength in his voice and we could only have a very short conversation.

He is due to go in for an operation on his hip on Friday and hopes his other illness will not delay that.

If he goes in as planned, I have little idea of how long it will be before he's back with us. It is unlikely that his recovery will be very quick.

In the meantime, thanks very much for all your messages of goodwill. They are a big comfort to him.

Will keep you informed when I know more.

Regards,

brianm

[pedonbio]

He is always in our thoughts.

[ilovelinsey]

Don't know how I missed this thread until now.  Please forward my regards to Al/Doggo and my hope that his operation Friday is successful and that he is up and about soon.  He has always been one of the shining stars of this forum.

Sadly, it appears that Al will not be well enough to have his operation tomorrow.

After taking a turn for the worse he was taken into hospital again yesterday on another matter and is undergoing treatment for this before anyone can think of working on his hip.

It's very sad that anyone should have to undergo so many ailments and suffering at the same time.

I hope that they keep him in longer this time and set him on a path to a proper recovery, rather than letting him out to relapse again as happened last time. :-(

Thanks very much again for all your messages of kindness. Al won't be able to get to a PC for a while but I will try and make sure your messages reach him.

Regards,

brianm

[HamsterGal]

Oh, no!!! That's too much all at once. I hope everything else clears up quickly enough, so he can have that worked on.... this is such lousy luck.

Wishing our doggo the speediest of recoveries, and hopefully he'll have some cute nurses to hang out with while he's in there...

[TheZookie007]

Maybe the English team's fortunes will have a positive effect on his health...

Thanks brian, for keeping us up to date on his condition.

I can't tell you how sad I am to have to write and tell you that Al passed away Friday evening.

Yes, he was unwell. Yes he had a bad hip, and the infection. But never for a moment did I realize things would get as bad as this.

I've just made some very difficult phone calls and despite repeating the news over and over I still can't believe its true.

My heart goes out to his family - he leaves behind a son and daughter - and to everyone else who's heart he has touched.

For myself, I am really going to miss him...

[Blake Isaac Gordon]

Damn- That's some sad news...

I cannot form the words...

[ilovelinsey]

I regret never meeting Al.  We exchanged a number of pms and he was always helpful and respectful.  To all who did know him I am sure this is a truly sad day.  For those of us who only knew Al through the various forums and websites, he will be missed.  He is in our thoughts and prayers.