Not Quite Ready To Say Goodbye

 

Dear Cubby,

     You're ten and a half years old now and I realize well over half of your life is behind you, but it really shook me up when you laid down on the living room floor last week and couldn't get up or even lift your head.  I honestly thought our time was over.  You were in terrible pain so I sat up all night with you and held you, crying thousands of tears.  Finally, I decided to risk giving you a pain pill, and it actually helped a little.

     During the night I noticed a clump of matted hair on your leg and, the very minute I saw it, I knew ... you had another hot spot!  It must have come up awfully fast because I try to keep you well combed out regularly.  Further, I already suspected an ear infection and a repeat exam made me even more sure of it.

     First thing in the morning we ran you in to the vet's office, actually looking a little better by then.  Yep, you surely did have an ear infection, and a giant hot spot underneath all that fur on your leg.  The vet got you shaved and medicated and sent us home with four different medicines.  A painful hot spot coupled with an ear infection could certainly lead anyone to think you were checking out, but the doctor said she seriously doubted you were going anywhere anytime soon.

     Cubby, I'm so sorry I missed it, and you had to suffer much longer than you had to.  Given what happened last year, I should have known how easily hot spots can form and spread.  I was so sure I got you completely dry after your last bath, but I learned I can't take anything for granted anymore.  As soon as you're all healed up, Jake is going to come over and show me how to keep that undercoat of yours even more thinned out so we lower the risk of this happening again.

     Tonight you got clipped and de-shedded so you weren't looking like you were wearing a rug.  From here on out, we'll do all that at least once a week without fail.     Tomorrow you see the vet again, and I expect she'll be happy with what she sees.  I certainly am.

     Late News:  Well, Dr. Sander said you're better, but not healed up quite yet.  You still have a mildly infected right ear and your hot spot is still just a touch oozy, so we're back to giving you more meds before another follow-up in two weeks.  Bless your heart, sweetie.  It's tough getting old, isn't it?

Photo Descriptions:  Nicely shaved leg with an angry-looking hot spot, shorter-haired Cubby with a well-healing hot spot.