It's not easy gettin' old.

Well, it's been a while since I wrote last. Seems like a lot has happened. Right around the beginning of this year I realized I couldn't see much of anything anymore. It really made me nervous. I decided that going outside was kind of scary when I can't see where I am. Mom has helped me with navigating to go into the back yard and once I am there I know the route around the deck so I'm okay. I don't like going for walks much now though. It's nerve wracking! The good news is that I am pretty familiar with the house inside and can get around really well. I am always checking for changes. For a while there I would get in a spot and not know where the heck I was, but now I am used to this whole thing.

A couple of weeks ago I had a really weird thing happen. It was so very scary for me and Mom. I don't know what came over me but I just started shaking and crying, I lost my bowels and bladder. Mom and the Dr. said it was a seizure, what ever that is. I didn't like it at all. Mom carried me into the emergency Vet. hospital and they took me from her. That was really bad. After they put something in my arm I felt like I could calm down and I felt much better. I was able to walk out to greet Mom and she was very anxious to get me home and safe in my bed. We napped together the rest of the day, me, Mom and my brothers and sister. I was so happy to be home and feel better that I kissed her like crazy when we all woke up.

I guess my medicine had to be adjusted for some thing or other. All I know is that I know I am old and things are happening that slow me down, but I love my home and I'm not ready to go anywhere else yet. When I am, I know I can tell Mom and she will be there for me.

That's about it. Things change all the time and for me life gets a little more challenging, but with all the love I get, I am a happy, healthy, old dog.

ps. My last blood test results about a month ago show that I am doing great! Heck, I could pass for a 12 year old!

Water Therapy!

We have a new Canine Warm Water Therapy pool that just opened in our neighborhood. My Mom is a massage therapist that works on humans and dogs and she was soooo excited about this place I couldn't say NO when she signed me up.
It was kind of scary at first. I didn't know what I was supposed to do or whether I was safe but they held on to me and we went into the warm water really slow. As soon as it was up to my elbows I knew what to do, START PADDLING! I paddled so hard I shot right to the end of the pool, turned around and came back before they could hardly even get off the steps. It was fun!
They made me stop and take a break and I was still nervous but I am a really good swimmer and I need the exercise. It's really scary for me to go outside for walks since I can't see very well and I get wobbly and it's embarassing. So swimming is a fun thing Mom and I get to do together and my legs will get stronger.
After I got used to it, Mom swam beside me. She sure swims funny. When I turned around I had fun splashing water in her face with my paddling paws. We're going back cause it made me feel better for a couple of days and it made my sister and brothers jealous; )

What a good day to be a dog

Today was Sunday. I know that because Mom got up and we all piled on the couch with her and watched a movie. I fell asleep. There wasn't one good animal noise in he whole thing. Then we went back into the bedroom and Mom and Joe read the paper. After breakfast we all climbed back into Mom & Joe's bed and took a nap. Good thing I was well rested because Mom asked if we wanted to go for walks. Sometimes I don't want to since my legs don't work so great anymore. But today was a good day so I chased my tail a couple times to let Mom know I wanted to go, for sure. She put my new sweater on me and out we went. I just walk around the yard mostly now, but go in the front with my leash on since it's not closed in. I smell all kinds of weird stuff out there! We went up the block a bit and then I decided I better get back, don't want to make the other's wait too long for their walks.
We hung around checking in on Mom in the kitchen and while she put up some shelves. She likes our help when she's working. Had some meat and beans with our supper. Mom said it was chili. It was okay, but I like that canned dog stuff better. Another nap and now it's time to curl up on the couch and keep Mom company for the evening. I love Sundays!