What HE has to Say.

Conversations with Marilyn concerning his health.

….Whole back end wobbly not losing use of only one leg but actually a leg and a half. Right leg can’t support and he can’t compensate. When he shifts his weight he falls over.
…. No headaches but dizziness.
…. Is your time up? He won’t answer it because he doesn’t want to think about it. He's in denial. He knows he’s not making it easier for me or him. He likes being a dog and doing things with me and sometimes being a clown. He’s been with me many times before… cliffs, centuries ago, involved once, dogs together (street dogs). What can I do? Love him and hold him.
….Stomach bloated but dry mouth which is why he drinks so much water. He feels kind of spacey or tipsy. He sees his mental capacities leaving but not dementia. Something physical pressing … most likely brain tumor.
…. He hates putting me through this and he wonders how I’ll ever survive without him to keep the girls in line. Loves me and hates the way he has to pee. (squatting)
…. Not long… 0-6 weeks. Very hard to say…

Kobie’s report (the caretaker – empathetic)

· Ari vomits in the back yard in the corner and doesn’t want to tell me.

· He’s trying to be strong and he’s not the dog he used to be and it’s sad.

Olivia’s report (into herself)

· Knows nothing she is so itchy. Give her drugs.(she says). it’s maddening…

Brita’s report (matter of fact)

· She knows that he’s not long for this world. Animals die. (Not rude but a reflective statement)

· Nothing she can do so she’s accepting it.· She’s sad that I’m sad and everything is heavy around here now.

Teddy

· He’s (Teddy) everywhere….everything’s fine….comfortable…at ease…· Fine with his resting place

· Ari’s coming soon but that’s ok since everyone gets along – they were together before.

· He’s watching all of us and he’s everywhere.

Ruling Things Out

Over the last few days Ari has gotten stiffer and stiffer in the rear. Yesterday he stopped putting weight on his left rear leg and he could barely hobble around. Apparently, he hasn't figured out how to walk on 3 legs. This morning I called and got in to see Dr. Jeff for x-rays which showed nothing. So now:

* The blood tests are ok.

* There is no tick or heartworm disease.

* There is nothing showing up on x-rays of his leg.

It's wait and see what happens.... :(

Stiffer and Stiffer

We don't know what's going on for sure. Ari has been stiffening up in his rear for a month or so now and 2 weeks ago I made an appointment to see Dr. Jeff on April 23rd.

A few years ago his rear end stiffened up and he was diagnosed with Anaplasmosis, a tick related disease so I thought best to get the Snap test done to rule that out.

On the 22nd I came home in the afternoon and Ari had a seizure. At first I didn't realize what was happening and I thought he slipped on the floor but quickly I realized what happened. It was over very quickly.

The next day the tick test turned out fine and his blood work was good not long ago. Very hungry, excessive thirst, very stiff back end, forgetting which door to come onto the porch.... brain tumor was mentioned... time will tell.

Ari is 10 and I'm not putting him through anything to find out. The next evening, he hobbled outside with the rest of us, sat with a ball in his mouth and barked at the others running.

….more reports later....