It was a half day shoot yesterday and not requiring much walking so I took the SBD as a treat - she still sits on the doormat when I get everything ready and wants to come even though I know she's really not fit enough anymore. She has arthritis in her elbows and a touch of sciatica in her lower spine. She was so pleased to come and perked up just like a young dog again. She already knows most of the other dogs and there was quite a bit of meet and greet in the yard before we set off. I was quite touched as well when quite a few of the beaters made a great fuss of her and I think were really pleased to see my old dog again.
I took care to make sure she didn't jump off the trailer, and the walking for each drive was easy. She even picked up one of my birds for me. She also found her way through some stock fence after another but as it was up in the branches of a tree all she could do was mark it. Between drives more than one beater was photographing her on their phones while she was lying down! I actually found, and still find it, very moving that folks like my dog so much. By lunchtime (it was the end of season shoot lunch - hence the half day) she was clearly quite tired and sore. I popped her home a tired but obviously contented dog.
Oh dear! This morning she's been in real trouble. Really doesn't want to walk. A little scream when she did a wee. Poor lamb and I now feel such a heel having taken her when it's now oh so clear she can't do it. Honestly it makes me weep! The little buggers get so deep inside you it really hurts when they show their age and are in trouble. Anyway it's now pretty simple - she can't do anything physical at all anymore. Short slow walks and lots of looking out of the window and sleeping between.
She's had all her meds this morning but I'll give her an extra shot of Metacam this evening and pretty much complete rest for the next couple of days. She's currently snoring behind the sofa by the way.
I took care to make sure she didn't jump off the trailer, and the walking for each drive was easy. She even picked up one of my birds for me. She also found her way through some stock fence after another but as it was up in the branches of a tree all she could do was mark it. Between drives more than one beater was photographing her on their phones while she was lying down! I actually found, and still find it, very moving that folks like my dog so much. By lunchtime (it was the end of season shoot lunch - hence the half day) she was clearly quite tired and sore. I popped her home a tired but obviously contented dog.
Oh dear! This morning she's been in real trouble. Really doesn't want to walk. A little scream when she did a wee. Poor lamb and I now feel such a heel having taken her when it's now oh so clear she can't do it. Honestly it makes me weep! The little buggers get so deep inside you it really hurts when they show their age and are in trouble. Anyway it's now pretty simple - she can't do anything physical at all anymore. Short slow walks and lots of looking out of the window and sleeping between.
She's had all her meds this morning but I'll give her an extra shot of Metacam this evening and pretty much complete rest for the next couple of days. She's currently snoring behind the sofa by the way.
Don't feel bad, although it's the hardest thing to see our dogs uncomfortable. Pretty sure if you asked the SBD would she like a couple of gentle drives, but will be a bit sore after well we can guess what she would say!
