Classical Values :: Beating winter

Beating winter

If anyone had told me a year ago that Puff would make it through another year and then past this winter and into spring of 2005, I'd have thought them crazy. He'd been having seizures (which I brought under control), his hips and legs were deteriorating constantly, and the vets couldn't figure out what was wrong. (Hey, he's 15.)

But here it is a year later, and while Puff can no longer walk without assistance (his back legs have had it and collapse if he tries to stand), he manages to get around, and today he not only went out in the yard, but I was able to walk him around in his favorite park (holding his back legs up by a sling improvised from a split canvas shopping bag).

Difficult as it is for me to believe, today is the last day of winter, and that means Puff has made it to spring!

Here he is, sitting in his yard, unable to walk, unable to stand, but still looking proud:

Well, it's a major triumph!

Comments

My heart goes out to Puff, and you for taking such good care of him in his old age. God bless both of you.

Jeff Soyer · March 20, 2005 08:29 AM

Thanks Jeff! And bless you for thinking of Puff.

Eric Scheie · March 20, 2005 11:52 AM

Ever consider getting Puff a set of wheels? I've seen it done before on a dog that had been partially paralyzed after being hit by a car; the dog sits in a small two-wheeled wagon, secured to it by a harness around his midsection. As long as his front legs are still functional, he can pull himself around. A clever design will even allow the dog to relieve himself without soiling the wagon.

Ed Minchau · March 20, 2005 05:15 PM

Thanks for thinking of Puff.

I did buy a dog wheelchair, and fastened in on him. Forget it! As stubborn about his dignity as he is about many things, Puff deliberately flipped the thing over and lay down sideways, letting me know he'd never tolerate the colturned thing in a million years. I tried repeatedly, and he fought the contraption harder each time. (There is no forcing him with something like that.) He will, however, let me walk behind him carrying the sling. It's tiring, but it works.

(My 120 pushups and 50 pullups a day finally pay off!)

Eric Scheie · March 20, 2005 08:48 PM

You need to bronze that photo. What a King!

J. Peden · March 20, 2005 11:15 PM

Puff is a real cutie; my oldest boy (a basset hound named Walter) is about 8 now and starting to slow down a bit. I hope he can keep up with Puff!

Richard Easbey · March 21, 2005 04:35 PM