Another Zeke post, but this one’s short. It’s bad news and good news, the bad news first. Yesterday was quite likely the worst day in my life, and longtime CRN readers will know that that’s not a statement I would make lightly. We wait for word, probably Tuesday, on whether Zeke might have an insulinoma problem. We went out and left him asleep yesterday, grabbed a sandwich and some groceries, and came back to find him starfished on the hardwood floor, panicked, and covered in shit. The dog boots with the grippy soles help, a lot, but even wearing them he still strands himself. Verdict: we can no longer leave him unsupervised. He goes to work with me tomorrow, and though Craig arrives on Tuesday night and can take shifts dogsitting, our route is clear, and the only question timing.
The good news is that Zeke just enjoyed three hours of walking, thanks to a comment Kabbage made here a month ago. Zeke’s decided that the Bottoms Up leash is not a wretched, horrible instrument of torture to be resisted, and so it made him able to walk down to the park, back up the hill, and then ride with us to the dog park where he walked for another hour after a bath, and resisted turning toward the car to come home.
I just have no words to express how grateful I am to you, Kabbage. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for this morning. You may have extended by some precious weeks the time in which life is worth his hanging on to. I could never begin to repay you for that.
First Cory Maye gets at least some help via the Internets (http://lefarkins.blogspot.com/2006/09/blogs-can-be-effectual-im-as-surprised.html ) and now Zeke. Hooray!
“Hang in there” sounds so trite and worthless, but I don’t know what else to say, except oddly enough I guess it wouldn’t be totally inapropos to type “Bottoms Up!” But also, hang in there.
Well, my job is very dog-friendly, and my boss brought his old sweet guy Beany in every day for about a year before the end. The Earth Island crew would probably prefer that Zeke come in and I stay home, in fact.
But honest to god, there is no job I would value over giving Zeke time, if time from me is all he needed to continue to enjoy life. They won’t ask me to make that choice, but I wouldn’t have a moment’s hesitation if they did.
Chris,
I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you. I just put my best friend of 12+ years to sleep a week ago and I’ve got a hole in my heart the size of Alaska. His name was Tongass (named after the National Forest in Alaska where I worked as a botanist for the Forest Service) and he was a german shepherd/blue heeler mix (picture a black sheperd with tan feet with some funky silver underfur). I got him in grad school in 1993 down in Athens, GA. He went everywhere with me…the Coweeta Hydrologic Lab in NC where I did my MS research, Ohio (where my family lives), Colorado (for the second masters), Oregon, and finally Louisana. He swam in two oceans, two gulfs, countless lakes, rivers, and ponds, rolled in dead shit, passed frisbee, and became a part of me.
He had always had bad hips (since he was about 2), but the Rymadil had always helped. Within the past year or so he started having nerve problems, heart problems, deafness, and a tumour developed on his butt. He had trouble climbing down the three steps to get outside and occasionally would take a tumble and just lay there until I picked him up. Everytime he did that my soul died a little…he was my best friend and went through a lot with me, and spent untold hours laying next to my campfires in CO, OR, and WA.
I pick his ashes up tomorrow from the vet…I plan on planting a tree with part of them and taking the rest to our favorite spot on the Oregon coast.
I am so sorry for the pain I know you are going through…just remember this (this is the ony thing that has kept me functioning)...he will no longer be in pain.
Take care,
Mark
Aw, Chris. I know better than to do the optimistic song and dance routine, so I’ll just let you know that you and Zeke are in my thoughts. Marc passes on his wishes for you, as well.
I bet you could have people lining up for the chance to be Zeke sitters.
Chris,
You and Zeke are most welcome. Although I believe your love will last beyond physical existence of one or both parties, the joy of being physically with one you love is not to be denied.
I’m glad you guys enjoyed your walk and hope you have more to come.
My Irish Setter, a doggie of infinite foolishness and bewilderment, died in early 2003; I don’t think I’ve ever felt more heartsick than I was during her decline. I’m so sorry for what you’re going through, Chris, and I wish you and Zeke all the best.
I have seen the horror of the starfish myself. That Bottoms Up leash looks about 100 times better than the towels we used with Tober for months to support his failing hind end.
Tongaroo, we have two black shepherds—as far as we know they’re purebreds (they were rescue dogs). They are both bonded to my wife—they came pre-conditioned to be scared of men and no amount of gentle patting and treat-giving has changed their hard wiring, but I can see what faithful, intelligent dogs they are.
One had surgery last year to fuse one of his vertebrae. As his muzzle grays and his back legs continue to drag a little behind him, I think we may be getting a Bottoms Up leash for him one of these days.
If all creatures were half as loved as Zeke, what a world this would be.
I’m with Rox. It’s inspiring to see how you’re helping Zeke meet this challenge with grace. Certainly he is doing the same for you.
I’ll be thinking of you all.
Yeah, what Roxanne said.
As I hope you already know, my heart goes out to you and Zeke. You are both in my thoughts and I send you much love.
And to Kabbage - anyone that helps to make the life of a dog easier and enjoyable is number one in my book. I send you much love too.
Here’s what happens when one clicks on the “Zeke” category link:
A page full of posts, and:
That’s a well-loved dog.
I’ve been away a few days and just now learned of Zeke’s struggles…. please know that I am thinking of your beautiful wise old dog and you and Becky. My heart breaks for all. I wish you wonderful moments together down this last long road.
Zeke’s spirit comes shining through your words, Chris.
Well, my job is very dog-friendly,
Looks like I spoke too soon.
Looks like the only dogs welcome here are the ones that aren’t “depressing.”
Oh, that doesn’t sound like Zeke’s having a good day at work. Whoever said that needs to realize it’s not about her or him. Of course, I could never bring a dog to my office so maybe I’m just jealous.
Chris, how disappointing that your office isn’t quite what you thought it would be for you and Zeke. As if they’d even know he was there unless they chose to - he only wants to lie at your feet, I’m sure.
Kabbage, I’m about to contact my vet at Sydney Uni and see whether she knows about the Bottoms-Up Leash - it looks just brilliant, and I’m so glad Zeke can enjoy some walks with it now.
I had had a moment’s thought a while back that there might be a possibility that you’d ask me to go in to work with you just to see the place while I’m out there or something…
...but maybe that’s not such a good idea. Disabled people can be really depressing.
I regret that I haven’t ckecked in to Creek Running North in a while….........Have had a lot of personal problems to contend with…........I wish to convey my sympathies on your loss of Harley. I am also surprised to find that Zeke is sick. I always enjoyed your postings about Zeke. I have 2 cats - BigCat was diagnosed with kidney disease several months ago - despite feeding him a special diet, he has lost over 10 pounds in the past 6 months and his BUN & creatinine tests are elevated each time he is tested….......I know that I will be losing him at some point in the future as he is 16 years old & his disease is irreversable….......My other cat, Pixie, who is 10 years old, so far is very healthy, altho overweight…......She will be my solace when BigCat is no longer with me….........It is always so sad to lose a pet companion…..........