Poor Tobey. The big/little guy just can’t seem to get a break. First he gets hit with some mysterious auto-immune disease that they still haven’t been able to diagnose. He winds up having to take prednisone for the past 6 months. Second, the prednisone is known to weaken the muscles via atrophy. The result?
Believe me when I say that this hasn’t been much fun for the little guy. He’s trying to get through it like a little trooper, though. We woke up on Thursday morning and he started limping. I wound up staying home from work because the gimpy fellow was really having a hard time getting about. Couple that with Tweedledum and Tweedledee (Farley and Jinx) in the house, Tobey probably wound have had a difficult time trying to follow them up and down stairs. We had a tough time making sure that he could at least make it outside to use the bathroom. Luckily, we were able to get him an appointment at the vet that we trust. That night I slept on the floor in the office with Tobey so he wouldn’t be alone.
Friday rolls around and we went to see the docs. His internist came by to take a look at him and said ‘hello’ and said that, all things considered, Tobey’s temperment was phenomenal. Which, to me, was heartbreaking. I know my little guy is in agony but he still wouldn’t stop smiling at everyone the way that dogs do. When we got him to see the orthopedic surgeon we were told that Tobey had a bum ACL. So we agreed to surgery and they took him that day, hobbling and smiling to the back kennel to prepare for his operation.
Bah. I’ll finish this later. I have to get ready for work…
My beloved Bengy (I know – I was a kid and didn’t know any better) died from kidney failure. Watching her weaken and suffer was the hardest thing. And like your Tobey, she always had a smile for everyone around here, even though she was suffering, and was still the most sweet, loving little old dog ever.
In the end, we had her put to sleep because she was in so much pain. I held her in my arms as she drifted off and cried like a little girl afterward.
People can learn a lot from their pets if they’d just pay attention.
Dogs are so awesome. They are true examples of unconditional love. I have always, and will always have dogs around me. Tobey is a trooper. I wish him all the best with his upcoming surgery.
Oh, poor baby! Honey, I’m sorry your baby boy is in such a bad way. I hope he feels better soon and that he’s back to normal again, especially after that problems he had over the summer. I miss you!!!
Hey, I feel the prednisone thing. Poor thing, give him a kiss for me.
And Get him a burger, it’ll make it all better. Trust me, it’s all you can think about when you’re on that shit.