My poor little dog hurt his back again yesterday (third herniated disk in nearly 16 years…poor little guy!). He’s on heavy doses of pain medication and steroids, which normally make him very sleepy, but he’s been afraid to lie down…I think because, between this and his arthritis, he’s afraid he won’t be able to get up again. I spent most of last night trying to persuade him to lie down and keeping him from hurting himself by falling over. He’s also very clingy…doesn’t want me out of his sight. Consequently, I haven’t been able to do much today but sit at the computer, as I don’t want him to hurt himself further by following me around. I finally got out a whistle and decided to try recording a few more clips. I looked around after about an hour to see him (finally!) fast asleep on his blanket.
He doesn’t hear too well these days, but I think the whistle has a frequency he can pick up, as he occasionally still reacts to it. Since I usually play in the late afternoon, when I’m going to be home for a while, I’m guessing he associates that sound with security…Mom’s not going anywhere for a while, and if I need her I can find her by the sound…and thus finally felt secure enough to lie down and rest.
Poor little guy…he’s so sore! If I can help him by playing, I’ll play my fingers to the bone.
It’s just so sad when our babies get old, dogs should live to be at least 30. My 10 year old fox terrier goes to sleep on my feet when I practice uileann pipes but runs from the room when he sees hubby pick up the trombone. What good taste that dog has.
Dogs, fish, cats are all cool pets. (I like a lot of lizards too.)
However, I refuse to buy any kind of a large bird. The idea of a pet that will most likely outlive me (Most live 50+ years, some as many as 100) just doesn’t sit well.
He’s feeling much better tonight. The prednisone is doing its job, and he’s downstairs right now having a snooze on my husband’s lap.
It’s funny…when he was a young dog, he barked so much when I’d play that I actually had to give up playing for a while…between my tooting and his yowling, the poor neighbors never had any peace! Now that his hearing is limited, he seems to find the whistles soothing.
I do cherish every minute…he’s been my little buddy for so long, and now the clock is beginning to tick down, I often find myself trying to memorize the feel of his fur and the funny little tilt to his head when he’s feeling curious. He’s a great little guy
As the proud Dad of four dogs ( 2 Yorkies, a Cocker Spaniel, and a Greyhound) I well know how it is when of them is ill. Best wishes to your baby, Redwolf.
