Banter...Not Bantha

I week ago I mentioned that my dog was getting old and her health was deteriorating. It wasn't until the last 72 hours that things really went into a downhill slide.

She had lived with my mother for a very long time, so its really her dog. I have had calls from my mom updating me on Tasha's status. Yesterday it got rough. Poor girl couldnt stand after falling while trying to climbe 4 simple steps in the back yard. I went there and told my mom if she needed to be carried I would come and help. I was the only one that could lift the 90ish pound puppy. She was 13 years old. Later the doc informed us that's about 110 for a lab. Most people mistaken T for a lab, well with her black coat and all. Mom called me this morning, said she didnt sleep at all last night. Unusual for T. She also wasnt able to get up on her own to go outside. I went. I carried her outside so she could go to the bathroom. She peed, but it was painful watching her stumble while she did her walk around the perimeter. Poor dog.

It was time.

We took a silent ride to the west side. It was the only area that we found that was open on a Sunday. I carried her out of the vehicle and into a room. They put a blanket down for her. They put a catheter in her paw. We pet her as the doc gave her medicine that would bring her peace. Jesus, it was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.

She relaxed a bit, laying her head on the floor. The doc checked her heart beat a few times. She was at rest.

To a friend that never complained. You had the worst breath, but I didnt care. You couldnt just walk any where when you were younger, you had to run. In order to keep up, I used inline skates. We took you near the park during the 4th of July to get you used to the booms and bangs. You would fetch anything but you never wanted to willingly drop it. You would release after some coaxing. You were always excited to see people no matter who they were. The mail man will miss your tirades when they open the mailbox every day. Funny, you wouldn't have done anything to them, but you wanted to make it clear, you were the one watching over the house. You were always starved for attention even though you were thoroughly spoiled. You never bit anybody in your entire 13 years. You intimidated little kids and you wondered why. They just didnt know you. You even liked your fellow canines. You were willing to be a friend even if they were an ass hole. Thanks for all the wonderful years and all the great times. Your love was truly unconditional, you will be missed.

Rest in Peace T-Dog...

Well the dog is ok. She has one growth the doc is concerned with, but it can be monitored over time to see how it progresses. Diagnosis, sounds like she is improving so keeping her on the same diet for now, burger and rice with some Immodium AD & Pepto. Sound like my diet. Doc thinks it's her age that is preventing her from healing quickly.

I dont know what exact day she was born, but I got her at 10 weeks old sometime in Sept 02. That would make her around 13 years old or 91 in her kingdom.

My mom has taken care of her for a long time. She has become her dog. Tash (tosh) has been having a hard time recently, starting off with arthritis and now something is happening internally. She has growths on her body, the vets say thats normal for dogs of her age. I wonder if one of those has grown inside her. She has a lot of pep for her age. She still gets excited when someone stops by mom's. She'll trot around the back yard if you call her name. Plenty of spunk in her. The vet says she must be very spoiled, not too many dogs her age are in as good a shape.

Today I am going to the vet with my mom's boyfriend. We're gonna see what the problem is and go from there. Poor sabacha, if she could talk would she even tell us something was wrong or if she was in pain?

T wants to do something, so it looks like possible dinner, and movie. I am kinda torn, should we see 40 Year Old Virgin or Wedding Crashers? Or as T says, "The 40 Year Old Sean".