T Campbell's Blog
Writer of Penny and Aggie, Fans (also called Faans), Rip & Teri, Search Engine Funnies and A History of Webcomics. Experienced webcomics editor, currently seeking full-time work and working on strange and interesting new things...Saturday, January 28, 2006
Good Dog.
Daisy is not doing well.
As you can see, she doesn't so much lie down as collapse like a house of toothpicks. A dog's fur coat conceals some of the effects of aging, but all you have to do is pet her to feel the difference. There's not much meat on her spine any more.
She hasn't had much appetite. And for THIS dog not to have much appetite is an event worth noting.
She'd be 14 next month. Depending on which system you learned as a child, that's either 72 or 98 in dog years.
The family has had Daisy since I was in high school and since Graham was 6 years old. When she was little, I used to run around with her in the backyard till I accidentally stepped on her foot. She seemed fine after a little TLC, but I was too nervous after that, and I'll always wonder if that misstep led to the limp she developed later in life. She used to get SO EXCITED whenever she heard a drawer opening, because she knew it meant someone was getting out her leash for a walk on the beach. A shameless beggar, she licks dirty dishes on their way into the dishwasher like it is her God-given duty. Her guileless eyes could melt the heart of the Grinch.
I'm not ready for her to go.
She's better today, at least. Back to eating dog food instead of chicken and peanut butter crusts. She may have a year... another two years... another six months. Hope and realism make bitter sparring partners.
As you can see, she doesn't so much lie down as collapse like a house of toothpicks. A dog's fur coat conceals some of the effects of aging, but all you have to do is pet her to feel the difference. There's not much meat on her spine any more.She hasn't had much appetite. And for THIS dog not to have much appetite is an event worth noting.
She'd be 14 next month. Depending on which system you learned as a child, that's either 72 or 98 in dog years.
The family has had Daisy since I was in high school and since Graham was 6 years old. When she was little, I used to run around with her in the backyard till I accidentally stepped on her foot. She seemed fine after a little TLC, but I was too nervous after that, and I'll always wonder if that misstep led to the limp she developed later in life. She used to get SO EXCITED whenever she heard a drawer opening, because she knew it meant someone was getting out her leash for a walk on the beach. A shameless beggar, she licks dirty dishes on their way into the dishwasher like it is her God-given duty. Her guileless eyes could melt the heart of the Grinch.
I'm not ready for her to go.
She's better today, at least. Back to eating dog food instead of chicken and peanut butter crusts. She may have a year... another two years... another six months. Hope and realism make bitter sparring partners.
Comments:
<< Home
T, I'm sorry you got to be considering this. I've had to go through the same situation a few dozen times so I know how difficult it can be.
But you shouldn't let an animal suffer because it's difficult to let go. It didnt seem that way from your post, but if your dog is suffereing in any way, you should have her put down. It may kill you to do so, but it's a kindness.
But you shouldn't let an animal suffer because it's difficult to let go. It didnt seem that way from your post, but if your dog is suffereing in any way, you should have her put down. It may kill you to do so, but it's a kindness.
No, we're watching the situation closely-- if Daisy seems to be in actual pain, that'll be another thing altogether. Right now she's just very, very frail.
Ugh, man. I lost my 12-year old dog recently as well. It happened to me in the middle of a hellish chain of bad events, and it was probably the one that hit me hardest.
Dogs are such inconditional, devoted friends. They don't speak, but you can feel their presence in any room. You feel their deaths almost as if they were family.
Maritza
CRFH.net
Dogs are such inconditional, devoted friends. They don't speak, but you can feel their presence in any room. You feel their deaths almost as if they were family.
Maritza
CRFH.net
...
The event I look forward to the least is the day my puppy Shadow dies. And yes, she's something like 6 or 7 years old now, but she's still my puppy. :(
I almost didn't adopt her, because I ran through in my head the pain I'd feel when she dies, the pain I still feel at the death of my pet cat, Cindy, whom I received as a young child and who grew up with me... lasting 19 years.
But... she needed a home. And the love she's given... well, it's worth it. Still... there's that little fear in the back of my soul, telling me that her days are numbered, that each day she's getting a little bit older...
I need a drink. *sigh*
Rob H.
Post a Comment
The event I look forward to the least is the day my puppy Shadow dies. And yes, she's something like 6 or 7 years old now, but she's still my puppy. :(
I almost didn't adopt her, because I ran through in my head the pain I'd feel when she dies, the pain I still feel at the death of my pet cat, Cindy, whom I received as a young child and who grew up with me... lasting 19 years.
But... she needed a home. And the love she's given... well, it's worth it. Still... there's that little fear in the back of my soul, telling me that her days are numbered, that each day she's getting a little bit older...
I need a drink. *sigh*
Rob H.
<< Home
Archives
January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006
