Sunday, September 04, 2005
Caring for an old dog.
It is hard at times to believe that we are caring for a dog on its last legs, especially if you see Taz gamboling along at a fair trot or when you mention the word "Walkies".
Taz has worried me the odd time in the past when she has gone off her food, but today she really had me worried, she was coming up to her first meal of the day and she wouldn't come and get it, her legs just didn't seem to want to work. Knowing how food orientated Taz normally is, you are very inclined to notice a change in attitude.
I phoned the emergency Vet and had a chat about her condition and habits he was able to reassure me she wasn't in any immediate danger. There was mention of having her put down if she was in pain and wasn't having any happy time, but I knew she wasn't in any real distress. I just put the bowl of water near her, put a dog blanket down for her and let her snooze away.
So just a few minutes ago I heard Taz moving about downstairs and lo and behold she was back up on her feet again and the way she devoured her evening meal has reassured me that she is back into some sort of form again, even if one of her back legs looks rather stiff. Maybe the heat today was just taking to much out of her and her delicate constitution.
It sure ain't no fun when you pets health takes a turn for the worse, its something we know is going to happen given her cancerous insulinoma. I've grown fond of the old girl despite (or maybe because) of her bin raiding ways and I'll miss her immensely when she does die. All this sentimentality after 10 months of having her, but dogs are like that, they tug at the heart strings, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Taz has worried me the odd time in the past when she has gone off her food, but today she really had me worried, she was coming up to her first meal of the day and she wouldn't come and get it, her legs just didn't seem to want to work. Knowing how food orientated Taz normally is, you are very inclined to notice a change in attitude.
I phoned the emergency Vet and had a chat about her condition and habits he was able to reassure me she wasn't in any immediate danger. There was mention of having her put down if she was in pain and wasn't having any happy time, but I knew she wasn't in any real distress. I just put the bowl of water near her, put a dog blanket down for her and let her snooze away.
So just a few minutes ago I heard Taz moving about downstairs and lo and behold she was back up on her feet again and the way she devoured her evening meal has reassured me that she is back into some sort of form again, even if one of her back legs looks rather stiff. Maybe the heat today was just taking to much out of her and her delicate constitution.
It sure ain't no fun when you pets health takes a turn for the worse, its something we know is going to happen given her cancerous insulinoma. I've grown fond of the old girl despite (or maybe because) of her bin raiding ways and I'll miss her immensely when she does die. All this sentimentality after 10 months of having her, but dogs are like that, they tug at the heart strings, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
