A Long Night With Cowboy

It's my usual time to get up, but I feel as if I've not had any sleep at all.

You may recall back in February I told you about our senior boy, Cowboy who we think is about 13-14 years old. He came to us 2 years ago from a shelter in West Virginia--You can read more about him and his story of rescue here: http://lifeatgoldenpines.blogspot.com/2010/02/our-valentines-day-gift.html

Yesterday morning we noticed that Cowboy was not his usual self. When we were out for our morning walk, he only walked around a little bit. There was none of his continual tail wagging or barking, there was none of his usual rolling in the grass either. When he came back in, he laid down in the kitchen. He didn't get up for his breakfast, so I fed him in that spot. Thinking that the rain and the return of the cold weather was bothering his arthritis Carl and I both went off to work--Of course I worried about him the entire time. When I got home, Cowboy was still in the same place as he was when I left in the morning. When I let the other dogs out, Cowboy tried, but couldn't get up. I stood him up, but he's unable to walk without being steadied on his feet. I made him a dinner of "chicken-soup" with rice, which he ate. We then helped him out, and put him on a dog bed where he's stayed. Cowboy sleeps in our room and I got up several times during the night to check on him and anytime there was any noise I woke up. He did get sick once during the night...His feet and ears are nice and warm, his gum color is good, and he's alert...

Of course it goes without saying that I really love this goofy old boy and I'm really worried. I don't know what all this means, and my hope is that he'll snap out of it. But of course my head is telling that he is an old dog that's had a long life and his time to leave us may be near--but my heart is not ready to let him go, he practically just got here.

I hope you'll keep him in your prayers...