Only in my neck of the woods…
May 4, 2008….is it possible to follow up the “I hate snow!” post with a report on my sunburn. Yes, indeedy. I have a sunburn. My left arm and the left side of my upper chest took the brunt of it - perhaps sitting my chair to read a book and watch the fire die down was not the best idea. I spent part day burning dead trees (something else that’s getting old), but for once it was sunny. And warmish. The kids were their ever-helpful selves, which means they rode their bikes, brought out all the big toys from the backyard, ignored my requests to help, etc. You know, the usual. D didn’t make it home this weekend, so I could only do so much. He is in charge of the chainsaw; although I can use it, I certainly can’t start the damn thing.
Miss Fat Dog took an unscheduled trip to the vet yesterday. She has calluses on her elbows, mostly because of her weight. She lays on the floor, which puts pressure on them, blah blah. Well, one of these calluses has been damaged, and she bled all Friday night. Not much, but enough to stain the bedroom carpet, and enough to make me worry. She was not thrilled to go to the vet, but she survived. Of course, I got the vet call, and he used that slightly condemning tone that some doctors and vets seem to master. Goldie “has to lose weight”, should “sleep on a softer bed” and “is in dire need of a dental cleaning.” At the risk of sounding like a heartless bitch, does he really think I’m going to drop $300 on a dental cleaning for a dog that is likely at least 11 years old? Oy. And the weight thing. Well…she’s currently 97lbs, which is probably 20-30 lbs less than when she first came to us. I have tried to walk her, but it breaks my heart to see the stress it causes. Yes, I know it would get easier if I kept the walking going, but it’s hard enough to find time to walk myself, let alone a dog. And the softer bed? I made her one, and she won’t fucking lie on it. She likes to be as near to me (or D) as possible, which means the floor is it. Her new bed of pillows & blankets is right next to my bed, but she is making a point of cramping herself into the spaces left beside it. I think it’d be pretty tough to teach her to sleep on the bed….she wouldn’t even get on it for a treat!
So. I’m going to be a bad dog owner, and let her cruise for a while. The best part of this is that her bloodwork came back totally normal. No kidney issues, no diabetes, etc. I was actually a bit surprised by that one, but it’s good news. For now, she’ll continue as usual. I’m going to try & walk her as often as possible - just up & down the driveway should help (it’s 100 metres long).
Damn. Gotta go. Kids are in the tub, creating a new mess for me to clean up. Little do they know that bedtime is 8 minutes away.
Vets don’t speak people. They speak animal. I always take that as a clue I don’t have to listen to them. Do your best, she’s a dog. She’s obviously survived your ill treatment of her this far
Wow, this amazes me. Dental cleanings every few years are very important for preventing very serious diseases. And keeping your dog’s weight down will improve her quality of life and extend her years. I hope you’ll reconsider. Her health is important, even though she’s 11 years old.
“Do your best, she’s a dog.”
Exactly. The one creature in your life that will give you 100% unconditional love to her dying day, no matter what you say, do or think. That’s why she deserves health and happiness.
Yes, I realize regular dental cleanings are a good thing. I am, however, more than unimpressed with the cost. Callous? Perhaps. Realistic? Yes. Sometimes I have to prioritize the things I can spend money on, and unfortunately, this is one of them.
Goldie is happy, eats well, and is enjoying the “walks” I’m getting her to take outside.
I understand. We all have to set priorities with our limited resources. My priorities are undoubtedly different than yours because my dogs are my kids, whereas you have both, and the human kids have to come first.
It just makes me sad to hear someone say, as the commenter Candy did, “she’s a dog”, as if that is something less wonderful and noble than a human. When to me, it’s not.
I’m glad Goldie’s happy. I wish her - and your whole family - only the best.