Who would have thought the day would come when one goes through withdrawal from not being able to use a computer. Seriously? I think I know now why I don't get as much done these days. I obviously spend an awful lot of time on my computer on a daily basis. Although...it has been slow going around here. I have seriously not been able to get my rear in gear and the arranging is not going as quickly as it should.
Ev assembled his new...Arr...Arr...Arr...GRILL yesterday while I did MORE laundry. After having linens in boxes for 3 years, everything needs to be washed. Add to that that we have purchased new towels, dishclothes, etc. which also need to be washed otherwise they leave the dreaded white fluff on everything...including on peoples.
While Ev did that, I bathed Ernie because the boys had a trip to the vets yesterday. There is a veterinary university here and a teaching hospital so it does take a bit longer but we never expected it would take 5 hours from start to finish, not that we had anything better to do. We met with the student (8 months left to go until she has completed her 8 year education) who happens to be named Jennifer MacLean (which happens to be my niece's name for those who don't know her except ours is a Mc not a Mac). And once we had completed that, she then briefs the vet and they come in together to discuss what to do next.
Ernie has been having ongoing bladder issues since July. In May he had an operation to remove monsterous bladder stones and then put on a prescription dog food, which took us a couple of months to get him switched over to but he's doing well on it now. Unfortunately in July, new bladder issues started to arise - I won't get into the details.
Rookie hasn't been to see a vet, other than the two ear surgeries he was flown out for while in the North which were Ernie's fault. Over the course of the past three years Rookie has lost about 90% of his hearing which wasn't too bad as he still followed hand signals. We thought we were losing our minds, but it appears he is losing his as he might be suffering a bit of dementia. The vet says that more and more that they are becoming aware of older dogs suffering the same fate as our elders. I ask, does that mean I can send him away to the same old folks home I'm gonna send my parents too? I've found them a beautiful (my parents, that is) one here nearby...even sent them a brochure but they aren't biting...LOL!!! Rookie is becoming quite lame in the hips and knees apparently. Turns out he has the same ailment with his knee that Ernie has. He has mainly been relagated to life on the main floor and can only attempt stairs with the assistance of his mom and dad. Combine these three issues with the fact that Rookie is now losing his vision and we are only now having a communication problem.
Example 1 - Bad dogs beg and their behaviour gets or should be corrected. Dogs suffering dementia, deafness & blindness...they unabashedly beg, without excuses; you tell them no, they continue to beg because, guess what Rookie says, "I CAN'T HEAR YOU!"; you give them a hand signal to lie down, they think you are signaling them to come get their treat!
Example 2 - Old dogs with bad hips cannot attempt to climb the stairs on their own. How sad is it that our TV is in the basement? Who in their right mind would leave their dear old furry companion upstairs by himself? So we escort him down. Fine. But come time to head back upstairs and only one parent is doing the escorting of an afflicted old guy and the second anxiety ridden, attached at the hip, pain in the arse other fella. I start to carry the little one to the top of the stairs and while nearing the top hear Rookie getting antsy. I turn and give him the hand signal to stay. He thinks I'm telling him to come and he does his little tap dance at the bottom of the stairs. (Last year he had an episode of Geriatric Vestibular Sydrome which has given him double vision and thrown his balance off so he has a difficult time getting started up the stairs. As a visual, picture one of those show horses that high steps, prances and paws and that's what he looks like). I place Ernie at the top of the stairs and run down to help Rookie. Ernie follows me. I tell him to go back up. He doesn't. I chase him back up and I hear Rookie attempting a second ascending. I run downstairs. Ernie runs downstairs. I pick Ernie up and attempt to bring them up at the same time but Rookie is fearful and I don't have enough hands to hold his collar and tuck a hand under his rear to add support. I run Ernie upstairs and run downstairs. He runs part way down the stairs. I get Rookie up the stairs to that point and he freezes again. I finally get frustrated and yell for Ev who just laughs at me for being the idiot and allowing the dogs to walk all over me...ONCE AGAIN!
Example #3 - Rookie is now banished to sleeping on the main level of the house. Our room is on the third level but we can't take the chance that he gets up in the middle of the night and attempt the stairs on his own. Because he's so old and groany, he tends to do a lot of rearranging positions and moving positions throughout the night which in all honesty, has affected our sleep while in the North. He ain't quiet about it! It's a moan as he gets up and a huge grunting, groan getting back down. So now he has a bed on the main level. First night, we get him settled and head upstairs. Minutes later, we hear the clickety clack of his nails on the hardwood which continues for five minutes as he paces back and forth between the bottom of the stairs and his bed. Ev heads downstairs, gets him settled and comes back up. Repeat! Finally Ev turns on a light for him and he settles. Next night....same performance. Today....Ev goes to the hardware store to buy Rookie his very own nightlight just like his Grandpa uses for making unexpected trips - hmmm...or expected I guess, if you have a night light? - to the bathroom during the night.
Okay....I seriously have to get on with the day so I'll finish the update later....
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