Dear Abby - Canine Senile Dementia

Dog Dementia

 

Lately; I have noticed that my dear precious Abby has been a little off of her game. Well; really, a lot off her game. She seems to wander around as if she is looking for something. In corners, under the bed, trying to squeeze under the coffee table- just odd things. All of her toys and bed is accounted for and yet still she is searching. Since we had hard wood floors installed I can hear her pacing all night long. Looking, looking, looking. Tap, tap, tap as her nails click across the floor.

I also noticed that she would bark to go outside; go to the toilet, come back in - only to repeat the cycle a few moments later. The problem being that once she went out for the second time she would simply sit and just stare off into space before barking to come back in.

I thought perhaps she might have a bladder infection since she has been wearing pull-ups now for almost 2 years.

Which is a whole 'nother story.



Dog diapers are insanely expensive. Forget the fact that they go through them hand over fist (constant dribbling being an issue)  and unlike the Geico guy that rides around on his motor bike blowing money in the breeze as he passes by - I, myself am not made of money. And then there is the factor that dogs can get out of a diaper faster than Houdini could get out of handcuffs.... I came up with the plan of purchasing regular toddler pull-ups (for Abby I found that a 3T was the perfect fit) You simply put their back legs through the leg opening- pull them up until they come almost to their upper chest and wah lah! No escaping them babies. No sir indeed! They can wiggle and waddle and snap at them all they want and they stay right in place until you (Super Doggie Mum) remove them. Toddler pull-ups are about 1/3 the price of diapers sold expressly for dogs. Problem solved and money saved. I only mention that in passing should you ever find yourself the  owner of a dog that requires wearing a diaper in their advanced age.


Anywho; back to the odd wandering ...

Thinking that perhaps Abby may have developed a bladder infection and "may" require some type of antibiotic- off to the Vet we went for a check-up. I explained the systems to the Vet who then did an urinalysis - which came up negative for anything. Thus he did some blood work- which also came back as nothing. He checked her heart, lungs, bones and zero. Nothing, nada.

Once again; explaining to the Vet (who we established in an earlier note is of the opinion that I am as twisted as tangled yarn) I labored to outline the specifics of her odd behavior. For weeks she could hardly get around on her back legs- often dragging one leg as if it was detached from her body. Which mysteriously disappeared over-night. Not the leg- the limp. I claimed that she had experienced a miraculous healing privately in my heart.

Then seemingly over night she no longer required the use of doggie diapers (she completely quit dribbling urine) and again I claimed a miraculous healing in my heart.

She quit eating for almost a week and then began to eat as if all the food in the world may very well disappear tomorrow and she better get her fair share now before it was too late. 

But this odd wandering behavior persisted and she had developed being very shy when you tried to love on her (pick her up and pet her ect.) So he checked her eyes and said "Well, she is blind you know" as if that was a foregone conclusion and I was at least marginally retarded for not picking it up on my own without being told.

Well; yes, of course I had noticed that her sight was off but she is almost 14 years old and excuse me for stating the obvious but at my own advanced age my sight is off too and to my knowledge they don't make doggie corrective eye glasses (and you're a complete dickhead of a human Mr. Vet)

The bottom line is that Abby has what is called canine senile dementia. The old mind is slipping away.

Here in the deep South we know how to treat our human relatives that suffer with senile dementia. We give them a cocktail and sit them on the front porch in a cozy rocking chair - where they spend their afternoon waving at cars that pass by. If Uncle Bob comes out of the bedroom dressed in his late wife's dress - we let him wear it because honestly; what does it hurt if it makes him happy?

What we don't do is hurry right out and stuff them in a Nursing Home because all of the sudden they are just more trouble than they are worth. And (here is a shocker) We don't humanely euthanize them either. No prick of the needle for old Uncle Bob. We give them COCKTAILS and let them live it up before they go on to Glory.

But; what do you do with a dog?

Apparently according to the Vet (who we have established is a total douche bag) the humane thing to do is to simply put them down. Let them go. Or you could possibly try a round of Parkinson's Disease medication to see if that doesn't clear up a little bit of her confusion (to the tune of $148.00 per month)

What a load of shite.

Parkinson's drugs when you don't have Parkinson's disease? I think not.

Put her to sleep because she is starting to slip a little in the brain firing?

Are you insane?
Listen; folks. Here is the deal.

The reason that dogs get canine senile dementia is because they get better vet care than dogs did in the past. We take them in for checkup more often than we as human beings go in for checkups. Thus they are living longer. In days past- when we really didn't make it a point to run off to the Vet's office whenever we felt something was amiss - dogs (and cats) died because their body's simply gave out. They got sick, they died and that was that. Now with all of the Vet care that dogs (and cats) get they live longer with healthier bodies and thus we see their minds begin to slip away.

Personally; I find this to be a good thing. Kind of like good old Uncle Bob spending his days sipping cocktails and waving at cars while wearing a floral dress that once belonged to his late wife. I would rather have a live dog that is as looney toons as a rat running around a shite house that a dead one that I won't ever see again this side of Heaven.

There are alternative medications that you can give a dog (or cat) that's mind is slipping. Western medicine is always a good standby. Ground Ginko and a touch of Hawthorn roots sprinkled in their food may stimulate brain cells.

If all else fells you can always give them a cocktail. Abby is rather fond of the occasional sip of a Bloody Mary (she won't turn her nose up at a Sunday brunch Mimosa either) I have also been known to give her a pinch off the old Valium or Xanax when acting especially anxious or fearful. But; that's just me. You may feel different.

For those that are wondering - here are the signs and systems of canine senile dementia (which is not all inclusive but will give you a starting point to watch for:

1. Any system of a disease that is ongoing for a while and then suddenly stops without any type of treatment (urinary dribbling, arthritis, partial paralysis - especially in the hind quarters etc..

2. Aimless wandering.

3. Not responding to name

4. Fearful - nervous shaking

5. Inspecting corners of a wall frequently (will attempt to lay down in the corner for a bit and then get up to inspect another area)

6. Seemingly unable to locate their bed, food & water bowl

7. Distant behavior - formerly a loving dog (or cat) that no longer wants you to pet them or cuddle with them.

8. Frequent crying out, whining, whimpering in their sleep - almost every time they are asleep (not just occasionally)

9. Almost seizure like behavior in their sleep (shaking as if cold or afraid)

10. Does not immediately wake up if petted or moved.

For those that already know that their dog (or cat) is suffering from the onset of dementia and wish to explore an alternative treatment than to simply "put them down" I highly endorse Chinese herbs. This is the vender that I use which you may also find helpful:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/Kingdomofbasil

Look for "Heart & Brain Support" $15.00 for a whole lot of herbs.

In the end; I will let Abby go when I think that she is suffering. Which at this stage of the game I do not believe in my heart that she is. Until then ... we will press on ... ever awaiting that Glorious Appearing of our Lord!

My ~Aha~ Moment

My ~Aha~ Moment
Conversation with the Lord

Today I thought I would share with you a conversation that I had recently with a ~new to Christ~ young lady in which she ask "What was the one thing that made me realize beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Lord actually sees us and hears our individual prayers".

I honestly had to think long and hard about that as throughout my Christian life the Lord has done so many things that I ask of Him; some of those things feel so trivial to me now that I am frankly much too embarrassed to mention. Yet; answer those prayers He did as well, trivial or not.

But; what was the One thing that was my defining ~Aha~ moment?

And then I knew what it was. Those of you that are pet lovers will completely understand this story while those that are ... not so much ... probably won't get the full impact of the significance of my ~moment~ but I hope you do.

Years ago I had a miniature schnauzer named Buddy. I know ... not very original but it so suited him perfectly because he was absolutely my "buddy", my "pal", my "laugh a moment fuzzy ball of pure joy". If it is any consolation his name was suppose to be "Winston" which is a very dignified and proper name for a schnauzer but Buddy just seemed to describe his personality so much better.

From the moment we brought him home as a tiny little puppy it seemed as if he had always been there and knew the routine of toilet activity. Listen; I have my share of potty training puppy stories and puppies that will eat the finish off the walls if you leave them alone for even a second but Buddy seem to come pre-wired with the do's and don't's of what is acceptable behavior. All of the Lysol wipes, potty pads, carpet cleaner etc. etc. that I purchased prior to bringing him home went unused and stashed under the sink.

Soon we settled into a routine of day to day life. If I got up to get something Buddy followed me. If I went outside for fresh air Buddy went to. When I went to bed Buddy went to bed and when I got up in the morning Buddy got up in the morning. He even insisted that I leave the bathroom door cracked so he could lie on the rug while I took a shower. Secretly; I believe that his favorite time of the day was when I curled up on my chaise lounge to read or watch TV- in which case he also curled up on the chaise and took a nap.

Not so secretly my favorite time of the day was when I gave him his dog bone chew and instead of eating it he walked around with it hanging out of the side of his mouth and I promise you it looked as if he was smoking a cigar. Why I found that so hilarious I have no idea but every time he did it; it just cracked me up. He looked like Humphrey Bogart. So I started calling his dog bone a Bogart. I would say to him "Go get your Bogart ... Humphrey" and off he'd run and come back with it hanging out the side of his mouth and I would laugh every single time.

So; yes. I was completely "gone" over this dog. Completely "over the moon gone" for him. Every day he would make me laugh about something and it feels so very good to laugh just for the pure joy of laughing; doesn't it?

A little before Buddy's third birthday I got up with the alarm and went to make coffee and of course Buddy followed me in the kitchen. While I was waiting on the coffee to perk I said "Humphrey; where is your Bogart this morning"? and off he ran to get it. He came back into the kitchen with it hanging out of the side of his mouth just like he always did- promptly dropped the bone on the floor in front of me and then fell over onto his side. I thought he was just goofing off but just that quickly Buddy had died. No fuss, no muss, no nothing - he just simply died.

Well; it's 5 o'clock in the morning and the Vet's office doesn't open up until 7 am so I just sat on the floor in the kitchen and held him in my lap and cried until I could take him to the Vet. Not of course because I thought there was anything to be done. What can you do with death but just deal with it? But; if I had to deal with it then I demand to know why! Why was this wonderful creature that had brought me so much joy gone at such a young age? How could this happen? How could this be? I wanted answers and the Vet came to the conclusion that Buddy appeared to have suffered a massive heart attack.

How? What? Why? Had I not kept up with every conceivable test, inoculation, exam known to veterinary medicine? Had I not fed him the veterinary recommended nutritious diet? Stayed away from giving him "people food"? Given him daily bouts of exercise and free play time? Had him regularly bathed and groom right there at the veterinary office? So; how is it that my beloved dog is dead? The best the Vet could say was that he simply must have had some undetectable heart problem which resulted in a heart attack and that's just that.

Anywho; my dear sweet Buddy was dead and my heart hurt in ways that simply defy explanation. I cried every time he crossed my mind or those unexpected times when it just skips your mind that they are no longer there. You expect them to be lying on the rug when you step out of the shower and when you pull back the curtain and they are not you are reminded all over again that they are gone and they aren't ever coming back.

I am not entirely sure when the idea rooted in my mind to find out definitively that animals go to Heaven and that one day I would see Buddy again. Frankly; I just always assumed that they did. But now I had to know for certain. I was like a mad woman possessed. I Had To Know! I read every Scripture that I could dig up. I spent hours on the Internet reading the arguments of those that were "for" and those that were "against" animals going to Heaven. The decision was so split that it only caused me more anxiety. The more anxious I became the more sadder I became. The more sadder I became the more I cried. It was a vicious circle and more than a few times I seriously considered getting professional help. Surely it is not normal to grieve this much over the loss of a dog?!

But of course, as is often the way, we underestimate the ways in which the Lord will reveal Himself to us and His love for us; don't we?

Left with no where left to turn to discover beyond a shadow of a doubt that our beloved pets go to Heaven; I went to sit out on the back patio and just pray. I cried out to the Lord that I had to know. I told Him of every avenue- including the Bible - that I had looked for the answer and came up confused and unsure. I cried and I poured my heart out to Him. Finally I said "Please Lord please. Tell me that Buddy is in Heaven and one day I will see him again. Please. I have to know".

Sitting out there on the patio there wasn't so much as a hint of a breeze. It had been that way for weeks. Just hot, muggy and still. It was the subject of most every conversation around here.

While I waited sad and quiet for the Lord to speak to my heart; to answer my prayer, all of the sudden a wind blew up. More than a breeze but far from a gale; just a soft warm wind came blowing up out of no where and then there rolling like a tumble weed across the patio was a large tuft of Buddy's hair! and it stopped at my foot and then the wind stopped blowing. There it was so shiny and silvery and I leaned down and picked it up and then I smelled it. It had that same lovely vanilla scented shampoo smell that Buddy had whenever he went to be groomed. But; Buddy had been dead for months and schnauzers do not shed their hair! Nonetheless; there it was. A big tuft of Buddy's bright shiny silver hair smelling like fresh vanilla shampoo and then all I could do was fall on my knees and Praise God right there on the patio!

Jesus; in all of His wondrous Glory and infinite love had heard my prayers and had answered it in a way that left me knowing so many wonderful things. Yes; Jesus hears our individual prayers. Yes; what matters to us matters to Him. Yes; what grieves us also grieves Him. And Yes! Buddy is in Heaven and one day I will see him again. Jesus is taking care of him; just like He'll take care of me when I die. Just as He takes care of me while I am alive. And you too.

There is nothing that escapes the attention of the Lord. Everything about our lives He is completely in tune to. Our hurts, our fears, our joys- all of it. If it effects you then it effects Him. You are not small. You are not insignificant. Jesus loves you so much that He is willing to do anything to win you over to accept the love He has for you.

Why do you resist that love? Why can't you just accept the love that is offered to you so freely?

It isn't weakness when you bend your knee to the Master. It's strength. It takes courage to admit that you aren't doing so well on your own and need help.

If you believe my story - and I hope you will - and you can clearly see in the telling of it the lengths in which Jesus was willing to go to the answer my prayer over a little dog; ask yourself what would He be willing to do for me to accept His Grace and Mercy?

My defining ~Aha~ moment. What will yours be?
In His Service,
~Lazzy~

“Let your beauty be found in “the hidden person of the heart,
with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit,
which is very precious in the sight of God.”
1 Peter 3:4