Canine Independence

Today was my last scheduled day off for the rest of the year.  And instead staying home, I spent it with someone that I've known peripherally for a few years. She and I have worked on church committees together, and had brief conversations, but it took sitting next to one another at a meeting where we struck up a conversation and realized that we have a great deal in common--One thing is that she and her husband have 5 dogs, one is a Scottish Terrier and another a Portuguese Water dog that she shows and does field work with. We decided that we needed to get to know one another better.  So, today I met her very well behaved dogs, and we were off to have lunch at a restaurant that we both happen to really enjoy and did some shopping afterwards. Interesting, at least to me, how you can think you have little in common with someone and then find out the opposite is true.  Am I the only one this happens to?

Back at home the focus remains on Wendy.  The tilting of her head is not nearly as noticeable, but she still really struggles to get up and walk. The last couple of days Wendy has decided that she has had enough of eating her meals alone in bed, and hobbles into the kitchen to eat with the rest of the dogs. She's not able to stand the whole time, and won't eat an entire meal, but I think it's a good sign.

Wendy has also decided that the ramp we put on the steps isn't for her, but for old ladies and has channeled her independent nature and refuses to go up or down it.  So, I stand at the bottom of the steps, and help her down. Wendy also decided today that she wanted to go with us on our walk.  I got her outside but she couldn't stay on her feet, so I left her in the garage while the rest of us went for our walk. When I got back and got her up to go inside, I noticed her tail was wagging, just a little--I've not her tail-wag since she started having problems, and so it was a good feeling to see it.  I also found myself humbled at how hard she is trying to stick to her beloved routine, and how she seems to care little for how she may be feeling. I think I can learn from that.

How It Should Be

The end of a long, busy week has finally gotten here.  My office Christmas party was Friday evening, and today was a day of shopping that ended with Carl and I enjoying a late lunch at a favorite restaurant.  At home this evening, the dogs were patiently awaiting dinner to be served at their favorite place to eat.

Thank-you for the good thoughts for Wendy. She's not quite as unsteady on her feet as she was a couple of days ago, but she still needs our help to stay standing.  To try and make things easier outside, we've put a ramp by the back porch steps so she doesn't have to go up or down stairs.  Wendy is sleeping a lot more, and not eating much. She doesn't seem to be in any pain and seems comfortable. And just as she has always done, she's setting her own pace --It's how it should be.

A Letter to Wendy

Dear Wendy, 

Like all the dogs before you, I never want you to go.  The special bond we share has not dimmed as the years have passed.  I remember your youth and your stories like they happened only yesterday.  How I wish I could turn back the years for you.  My heart has been breaking the last few days as I see you struggle to get up and walk. They say that "the eyes are the window to the soul," and your eyes seem to have changed.  I really noticed it yesterday when I came home from work.  I'm not sure what it means, or if it means anything.  But what I do know is that I will continue to keep my part of the bargain and be there for you, just like you have been for me so many times. And when the time comes, which I hope and pray will not be too soon, the last thing I will do for you is to gently let you go.  I know that you'll only be gone from my sight, because I will forever keep the memories of our long life together, warm and safe and tucked away in my heart.  The thought of losing you is already bringing a lot of tears.  And when you are gone I know that out of habit I'll look for you because you are so intertwined within the fabric of our lives.  And I know there will be an empty feeling that can never be filled. But that's what real love is--And the fact that you are a dog does not and will not change any of it.  

We love you Wendy.  I really hope you feel better and that today is a good day for you. 

~Kim~

Work and Play

Saturday morning started with an early morning phone call from a friend of mine. Her daughter wasn't feeling well and the two were signed up to take a Bûche de Noël (Yule Log) baking class, and would I like to attend in her place?  Of course I gladly accepted the invitation. The class was 4 hours long and its description said that in that time you were "to learn the mysteries of a proper genoise (sponge) cake, the wonders of butter-cream frosting, and the magical decorating powers of mushroom-shaped meringues." However the class was described, it was really a lot of fun!  The cake was a lot of work, but I think it had a really good flavor, and so I took it to a get together last evening. But this morning I have to admit to having overdone it on the sampling and along with a late night, I woke up with a bit of a headache.

The rest of the weekend has been uneventful as the focus turned to Humble who we've had for about two weeks now.  She's settled in nicely and really enjoys playing with Todd. One thing that was obvious when I first met her was that she is not 13 years old.  My friends and I and the vet all agree that Humble is probably only around 11. Her energy level and physical condition pretty much confirm that.  This week she becomes available for adoption through the rescue, and I'll list Humble on their website to try and find a forever home for her.  Of course we have thought about keeping her.  But we feel that she's just not a good fit for our household. This is only because she's a little too rough with our cat and is possessive and a little growly around food when the other dogs are around, and that creates a little bit of a problem in a multi-dog household.

But even though Humble doesn't like the other dogs around when she eats, she doesn't mind sharing the dog-beds, and that is just one of her many good and endearing qualities.