Welcome to LIS!!

summer photo summer3_zpss1lsq81m.gif
As an aspiring writer, I blog about whatever happens to move me at the moment -- though some posts contain serious content, my big-picture goal is to bring a little humor into an often humorless world! Welcome, y'all, and make yourself at home! Please make sure you update your bookmarks!


When you are offended at any man's fault, turn to yourself and study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger...Epictetus





Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Spencer

I've just come back from taking our oldest dog, Spencer (Boston Terrier), to the vet for surgery. He had a hernia which was repaired last January but he's having to go back and have it redone -- this time, they will use a patch which, from what I understand, carries more chance of infection.

Spencer will be 12 years old in September. He can no longer see (in fact, one eye had to be removed -- he looks like a pirate), can't hear that well, has a few continence issues but, otherwise, seems relatively content. His appetite is more than good and he gets around the house pretty well unless we change things around -- or leave large items in his path. He's learned to walk with his head down so, if he bumps into something, his hard, ol' Boston head gets whacked first.

For those of you who have been reading this blog, you will know that, last December, we had to put another of our dogs down. He was also a Boston, named Butler (after actor Gerard Butler) and his sudden illness (cancer) and death came as quite a shock. It took a long time to feel better about that -- I won't say "get over it" because you never really do but, eventually, it did become bearable.

I'm not ready to say goodbye to another one but I know that, at Spencer's age, something could happen at any time -- and surgery is worrisome, even though, if his time is up, going while under anesthesia would be an easy and painless way to go.

So, now I wait to call the vet later to check on him -- hoping they don't call me because if they do, then that means something is probably wrong.

Still, with all the worry and the sorrow when they leave us, I can't imagine a house without a pack of dogs. Right now, we still have six -- though one belongs to my daughter. Reese has been with us for a year and, I imagine, when Shannon finally has a house to take her to, it will feel like a little death.

But I ought to be used to it by now. I've had dogs -- and given up dogs -- all my life. I just don't want to do it again today.

3 comments:

  1. Spencer and your family are in my thoughts! I will pray that everything turns out well. Having a mini zoo at home, I too know all too well the horrible feeling when they go. The one thing that makes me feel better is knowing that I gave them THE best life possible and made sure they know I loved them every day. Hang in there - we are all here for you!

    Amy

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you -- he's out of surgery and they said he was sitting up and looking around -- which is funny since he can't see a thing. Anyway, I'll check on him later in the day, then I'll pick him up tomorrow. Last time, he did really well after we brought him home.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Spencer is home and doing well -- pretty much back to his routine of bumping into things and barking for food!

    ReplyDelete