As the wind blows....

It is a windy day here in Tramp's Camp. Wind is not something that feels but it can create feelings. The feel of a warm tropical wind caressing your face. The sharp sting of an Arctic blast of wind. The acrid burn of a smoke filled wind from a fire. But today it feels like a bad wind because we are suffering the downhill slide of our dear dog.

We took him to the Vet on Saturday (he had developed a cough) and he was found to have a temperature and a "snotty" nose and the Vet had hopes that he maybe had tonsillitis or mild pneumonia. So he gave him a shot of antibiotic and sent us home with hope and pills. But it has been such a struggle because he doesn't want to eat anymore. We have been trying most everything - rare and juicy roast beef, roast chicken, turkey, many kinds of canned dog food. He will eat just a few bites, hand fed, and then is done. This a dog that for all his many years lived for food. He believes in the pay as you go system - you pet me, you pay me - biscuit please!! For a basset hound, he is pretty smart and will do several tricks on command - sit, lay, stay - but only for payment - biscuit please!! And he won't sleep in his dog house - which has always been his personal "cave" where he hides out. Not that he doesn't have other places to sleep - he sure does - several places - a nice big fluffy round pillow bed and a big square orthopedic foam bed, each complete with fleece blankets and personal tuck in service! Just a couple of things very out of character for him...

During all this, I came down ill, too, and Tramp 1 has had to take care of both of us. Fortunately, he is able to work from home thanks to modern technology. Today I sent him back to the office - he needed a break. Before he headed out to work he called the Vet to see when we could get back in only to find our Vet is out on vacation - spring break time here. He has another Vet from a nearby town coming in to help out while he is away and we have an appointment with him in the morning. We can hope for miracles but we know that it might just be time to let old Angus dawg go.... So difficult....

We know it is a loving kindness to help a pet that is suffering. But it is really hard because we are hurting, too, but in a different and selfish way. We mourn for what we will not have when we should rejoice for what we did have. And the dog we have now is not the dog we started with - we have traveled a long path to get to this point. Many pet owners never experience the joys and sadness of owning a super senior pet. It makes you think about your own aging and who will be there to take care of you.... And whom you have been there to take care of, as well. Going through this process is not easy but there are lessons to be learned - if you see them....