I don't want this to be an All Dogs All The Time blog ('specially for blackbird's sake), but right now it's either that or moan about my job (34 more excruciating days of school) and my parents (wait 'til you hear the new plan). Let's run with the dogs instead. Except we can't exactly run. It will be more of a hobble due to April's arthritis.
Have I mentioned that she is 16 years old? But you saw her on that video, right? She still loves to go on a walk, she still greets us happily. I don't think it's time yet, if you get my drift.
April is being treated with
- daily doses of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
- glucosamine
- injections of Adequan
As I mentioned in video #1, she is a little off her feed at times so I am always cooking up some burger or scrambling some eggs to encourage her to eat.
For the last week, her appetite has been horrible. She ate nothing at all for 2 days in a row and we were wringing our hands in despair. NOOOOOOOOO! WE'RE NOT READY FOR THIS!
April refusing warm, freshly-cooked burger.
But Maureen in Alaska (Hi Maureen!) left a helpful hint in the comments that baby food might tempt her appetite. I picked some up yesterday and it was like a miracle drug. I only gave her half of her usual dry food, and then mixed in chicken with gravy and some "chicken sticks" and damn if she didn't eat every single bit of it. With gusto!
Later on, I took her out for a very short leash walk, only 2 blocks so as not to inflame her joints, and I walked as slowly as she wanted to, and waited patiently while she meticulously sniffed every blade of grass on the way. She didn't get overly tired and her legs weren't collapsing when we got back home.
She even took up her usual place in the kitchen when I did the dishes.
And this morning she ate her full ration of dry food along with the baby food. I am encouraged.
It would be fantastic if she could have a really happy, mostly pain-free summer, and then die unexpectedly in her sleep one night right before we go on vacation.
So, whoever's in charge of that shit, could you please arrange it?
There really does need to be someone in charge of Well-Timed Pet Deaths. I think there's easily a full-time position there.
Posted by: Swistle | May 06, 2011 at 07:46 AM
This is why I am resisting the "get another dog push" from the male folk in my family. The part where they get old and have trouble walking then get sick and making the big decision was so hard. And after a year of that with my Dad, I guess I'm not ready to deal yet. But they are so cute and loving and loyal and forgiving of inept pet owners (me) that it's hard to resist. Plus one would be awesome in my quest to rid us of the prairie dog invaders. And then I could make videos too!
Posted by: Pam L | May 06, 2011 at 09:37 AM
Aw, what a sweetie! I love her!
We have a cat in a very similar situation: 16 years old with arthritis. The joint treats with glucosamine are wonderful, and when she doesn't eat, baby food saves us nearly every time. That and plain yogurt.
Posted by: Pickles & Dimes | May 06, 2011 at 09:46 AM
She is too sweet and cute. Have you tried putting chicken stock in with her food? When my last guy was old and sick, I'd dribble some on top of his kibble and he'd eat right up. Plus it seemed to help keep him hydrated.
Posted by: liz | May 06, 2011 at 11:11 AM
If re-incarnation of for real, I wanna come back as one of your dogs - how sweet you are !
Posted by: Kate | May 06, 2011 at 12:18 PM
Okay. So, I'll pray for a perfectly timed dog passage.
Posted by: blackbird | May 06, 2011 at 04:29 PM
Baby food, eh? Are her teeth bothering her? I would like to be more in control of any kind of shit in my life right now. Ugh.
Posted by: Margaret | May 06, 2011 at 08:44 PM
Yep, baby food, and chicken and rice, great for geratric pets. My Cissy lou ate boiled chicken pretty much the last year of her life. Rice sometimes, she also loves steamed broccoli. If you feed baby food to cats make sure it doesn't have onions or onion poweder in it. Feed them what they will eat. They deserve it.
Posted by: tammy | May 06, 2011 at 11:18 PM
So happy my suggestion worked, and that April is enjoying her food again. It is so worrying when they stop eating. I am with Kate, if there is reincarnation, coming back as one of your dogs would be the way to go!
Posted by: Maureen | May 07, 2011 at 01:14 PM
Oh, dear. I think the authorities in charge of dogs and old people should indeed give you a break.
Mr. Dusty's dog sister's kidneys are failing and the time is drawing near. Ugh. Its particularly hard because his parents are at a situation in life where they don't think it is a good idea to get another dog, but it has been many decades since they have lived without on.
Posted by: Dusty | May 07, 2011 at 02:53 PM
So glad April is eating. Great news.
Good luck with the timing thing...ha! ;)
Posted by: maddy | May 09, 2011 at 04:57 PM
What kind of dog is April (or what is she a mixture of)? She looks similar to my dog, who I adopted from the shelter. I have no idea what mix of breeds she is, but she has the same fur type, coloring and walks the same way as April.
Posted by: FLNativeMom | May 10, 2011 at 09:24 PM