Havant couple who thanked dog for £1m scratchcard win celebrate after pet's life-saving surgery success

A COUPLE who thanked their dog for their £1m scratchcard win are celebrating being able to afford his life-saving surgery.
Patrick (61) and Paula (55) Morling won £1million on a scratchcard in 2018 thanks to their dog Ollie, who has now received life-saving surgery thanks to the win. Picture credit: James RobinsonPatrick (61) and Paula (55) Morling won £1million on a scratchcard in 2018 thanks to their dog Ollie, who has now received life-saving surgery thanks to the win. Picture credit: James Robinson
Patrick (61) and Paula (55) Morling won £1million on a scratchcard in 2018 thanks to their dog Ollie, who has now received life-saving surgery thanks to the win. Picture credit: James Robinson

Patrick Morling, 61, from Havant was shopping in November 2018 to buy dog food for fussy eater Ollie - and ended up buying a scratchcard which would change his and wife Paula’s lives, and save Ollie’s.

‘Ollie means the world to us, he’s a big lovable spaniel Staffy cross who is as nutty as a box of frogs and makes us smile every single day,’ said Patrick.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The family went on their annual Easter break to Cornwall, but a couple of days in 10-year-old Ollie became unwell so the pair took him to the vets.

Patrick (61) and Paula (55) Morling won £1million on a scratchcard in 2018 thanks to their dog Ollie, who has now received life-saving surgery thanks to the win. Picture credit: James RobinsonPatrick (61) and Paula (55) Morling won £1million on a scratchcard in 2018 thanks to their dog Ollie, who has now received life-saving surgery thanks to the win. Picture credit: James Robinson
Patrick (61) and Paula (55) Morling won £1million on a scratchcard in 2018 thanks to their dog Ollie, who has now received life-saving surgery thanks to the win. Picture credit: James Robinson

Patrick said: ‘The vet examined Ollie and immediately voiced concern about the lump on his side, a lump we had never felt or seen before.’

Following a stressful wait as Ollie had emergency surgery, the couple found out Ollie had a huge cancerous growth removed from his intestines and required a more detailed scan to check the mass had been totally removed.

Patrick and Paula waited until Ollie was well enough to return home, where they found their usual vet didn’t have the equipment needed so were referred to Fitzpatrick Referrals, which treats the pedigree pets of the rich and famous.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Patrick said: ‘He had the initial scan, and then he was put on a regime of tablets and scans every three months to be sure the tumour was beaten.

Patrick (61) and Paula (55) Morling won £1million on a scratchcard in 2018 thanks to their dog Ollie, who has now received life-saving surgery thanks to the win. Picture credit: James RobinsonPatrick (61) and Paula (55) Morling won £1million on a scratchcard in 2018 thanks to their dog Ollie, who has now received life-saving surgery thanks to the win. Picture credit: James Robinson
Patrick (61) and Paula (55) Morling won £1million on a scratchcard in 2018 thanks to their dog Ollie, who has now received life-saving surgery thanks to the win. Picture credit: James Robinson

‘We were delighted in December when he had his last scan and was officially given the all clear.’

With Ollie back to his usual crazy self, Patrick and Paula can reflect on his treatment, with medication which cost £650 a month, which could have turned out very differently.

‘Thanks to that winning scratchcard we were able to say yes to every single step of his treatment without a second thought, before we would not have been in that position, we’d have had to think through every single stage,’ said Patrick.

‘I know we wouldn’t have given up on Ollie but it would have put us into massive debt and it would have had an impact on our financial situation for many years.’

Related topics:

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.