Okay. Boris is not doing well - he's showing the same symptoms he had in June. I'm going to call the vet tomorrow. If there is another treatment or medication we can try for a reasonable cost, I'm willing to give it a shot, but I'm not going to run up another $900 vet bill on the poor old critter. He's barely holding his own, and it may just be time to let him go.
We had a remarkable example of dog visual memory today. The very nice alterations lady came to my house to meet with Bride Girl for a fitting on her wedding dress. (Her dress is about 2 sizes too large, thanks to a bridal shop lady who apparently couldn't operate a tape measure.) Alterations Lady is a wee little French lady with short brown hair. When I opened the front door I thought that she looked remarkably like a younger version of my mother! Same size, similar build, dressed in the kind of outfit my mother wore. Much younger, of course, but superficially similar enough to be striking.
I wasn't the only one who saw the resemblance. Murphy let out a scream of pure, raw joy and excitement when she walked through the door - I honestly think that for a moment he thought it was his Grandma. He yorped and yelped and carried on for a bit after I stuffed him into his crate - he wanted to get to this lady in the worst way - and it broke my heart to see that he remembered his grandma and was so excited to see a lady who reminded him of her.
Alterations Lady was wonderful - she'll rework the dress to fit its size 4-6 owner, and after the next fitting, when we're sure it's right, she'll add the French bustle contraption so we can hike up its train for the reception. She was most reassuring about the construction of the dress itself, and confident that it would be wonderful after adjustments. It is the right length. Everything else needs tweaking, but the length is perfect. But after she pinned it we could really see how amazing it will look, and it will be most amazing indeed. She will be a beautiful, elegant bride.
Poor Boris-and poor you. It's so sad to have to make those kind of decisions, but you're right, he's lived a long life and a good one and he shouldn't be subjected to a lot of stuff that won't do him any good. Big hug to you today.
ReplyDeleteI am coming to the conclusion that people know when it's time, hard as it can be.
ReplyDeleteAnd dog memory? I remember asking my dog if he wanted to go see a friend that he hadn't seen in a couple of years. You could see him think about it for about three seconds, and then light up like a candle. It still makes me feel stupid for underestimating him so.
It is one of the hardest things ever to make that decision. I look at photos of two dogs I lost to cancer in the past 15 years, and realize I probably held on a little too long. They were obviously suffering, but it is so hard to let go. Good wishes to you.
ReplyDeleteKimmen