Many of you know that we have two old dogs. Blackie is a 13 year old schnauzer mix and Roscoe is a 12 year old chocolate lab mix. We are well into the geriatric dog owner experience, including multiple medications and longer dog naps. Until recently, Blackie has remained largely healthy and spry. About six months ago, she started showing less interest in food. Her tests looked normal, so we had her teeth cleaned (and a couple pulled) and tried a different food. Then, we tried a different food… and a different food… and homemade food… and another food. Nothing worked for very long. Roscoe will have many foods mixed in with his regular senior food for a long, long time. He is the garbage disposal for dog food. We were back at the vet last week and now her bloodwork is not normal. She has elevated kidney levels. 

Before we move forward, it’s important to note that I always swore that I wouldn’t go to extremes to extend a pet’s life. I wasn’t going to be that owner that pours money into a pet at the end of its life. I was so certain of myself and my stance. 

Now, I have Blackie with kidney issues. She still bops around, greeting us at the door with a tail wag. She still chases the geese and also imaginary beings that only she can see out of our backyard. Her personality is still there. She just doesn’t want to eat because her kidneys can’t clean her blood efficiently, so she may feel a little blah about food. What to do? I’ll tell you what I did. I went to the vet three times in the last week. Blackie spent the weekend at the vet’s office so they could give her lots of subcutaneous fluid, observe her, and run more tests. Blackie is now on three prescription medicines and one over the counter medicine. We (well Travis actually) has been trained to give her subcutaneous fluids twice a week, although he probably knew how to do it anyway. We went to the vet so he could show us because that isn’t part of Trav’s usual practice, and dogs aren’t his usual patients. I’m thinking that he has never worried about a patient biting him. I could be wrong. 

I don’t know if I am doing the right thing, but Blackie is bopping around and it’s hard to imagine that she is really that sick. After 13 years with this little dog, it’s hard to imagine not having her around. She came into our life when my sister-in-law Jeanne thought we needed a puppy and brought this little bundle of fluff into a house with four young kids, knowing that the odds that the puppy would ever leave that house were small. At the time, we had a 14 year old black lab named Leo and were dealing with his geriatric needs. If we had one dog inadvertently peeing and pooping in the house, why not add another. Tayden was four years old, and everything was referred to by whatever color it was, so the dog was called Blackie. I wasn’t fond of the name, but Travis adamantly proclaimed, “Who cares what she is called. She isn’t staying!!!” So, her name is still Blackie. Travis is still looking for her original owners. 

In the meantime, we are faced with some tough decisions. I am now willing to do what I swore I wouldn’t, as long as Blackie has pep and quality of life without pain. I will work with the vet to ensure my decision making is okay. I will try to ensure her quality of life until my college kids can come home to say goodbye. For now, we are on borrowed time. It turns out I will do a lot for the love of the dog. 

Have a great week everyone!