I know that I have been remiss in writing… BUT >>>
Sprite (our soon-to-be-sixteen year old “puppy”) has been having a bad patch of health the last few weeks. (I am pretty sure it’s 16 she’s going on, this whole change of the century makes me have to revert to my elementary school math to calculate everyone’s age!)
Actually, Sprite has been having problems for over a month. I think I have mentioned before that her metabolism forms crystals in her bladder, which of course means a lot of trips to the veterinarian, which means special diets and care.
And, as she gets older, she becomes more and more stubborn and obstinate. (I have to admit that is happening to me, also!) It seems like I am the only one in the family who Sprite wants to spend time with >>> when she’s awake! Poor little Sprite!
Unfortunately for me, when I wake up in the middle of the night, I am no longer “allowed” to use my flashlight to read. You would think that it would be my husband not wanting the light on… Nope, the light doesn’t bother him, however, not so Sprite. Her bouts with these crystals have even cut down on the reading I can do! If she happens to open one of her eyes in the middle of the night and see that the flashlight is on, she wakes up and wants to go outside… As much as I enjoy my Cozy Mystery reading, I just don’t like the hassle of carrying her down the stairs, having to go outside and watch as she sniffs around the yard trying to find out where the squirrels have been, carrying her back upstairs, ETC.
But, as my daughter keeps saying: “She’s worth it!” She has been a loved and valued member of our family for the past sixteen years -or is it 17?!?
Jack says
I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this, Danna. Pets are definitely family members and, like our parents, it’s difficult to watch them getting older. It’s natural that this would occupy your time, and your mind, more right now.
Don’t worry about us. We’ll still be here. I’ve been going through your archived posts to satisfy my cravings.
And thank you for your recent list of British mysteries that have been published in the last 20 years. I’m finding that I like the newer cozies better, which is highly unusual for me since my opinion on everything has always been, “The older, the better.” (Except for cheese, of course.)
Carrie says
People who don’t have pets can’t understand the incredible bond that forms between us and our beloved pets. When our dog died a few years ago I was almost inconsolable and I didn’t want another pet because I couldn’t face having to go through such a terrible time again. However, fortunately for me my family ignored me and last year I was given a Lakeland terrier as a present and it was total love at first sight.
He very kindly lets me think that I’m in charge and give the orders, but we both know that he is just being polite!
We have quite a bit of snow at the moment where I live and he is doing his level best to try and eat as much of it as he can. I just wish I could persuade him to eat the snow on the drive … it would save me a lot of shovelling!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Carrie,
I know that Sprite is getting ready to leave us, so we are all adjusting to saying good bye to her. She sure is a trooper, though. Sort of like the Energizer bunny…
It sounds like you are having a terrific time with your new Lakeland Terrier puppy. From what you told us about him, I bet he even lets you clean up the snow/mud tracks he makes in HIS house!
Ann says
It’s hard to see our loved ones struggle. My terrier mix has diabetes and I have to plan my day around insulin shots, but it is so worth it to see her happy face when I get home. Dogs are God’s gift to remind us that love should be unconditional.
I hope Sprite manages to find a way to function.
Ann
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Oh my gosh, Ann… Your puppy is lucky to have found you! Sprite is on allergy shots >>> only two a month.
The office women at my vet’s office have told me about pet owners who simply don’t want to shell out the money for their animals to be healthy… I know that times are tough, BUT…
So, again, your puppy found a great home!
Stephanie says
I’m very sorry to hear about Sprite’s illness. 🙁
But, it sounds like you work hard to make sure she’s comfortable and well-loved.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Thank you, Stephanie. We just love our little Sprite!
Sandra says
Danna, so sorry to even think about poor Sprite nearing the end. You can’t prepare yourself for it, your brain knows that it will be for the best, that there will be no more pain but just like when a close human relative or friend passes, you can never accept it but the hurt does dim a bit after a lot of time. We decided 5 yrs ago, that our poor Baby(that was her name, really!) who was 13 yrs old and a Sharpei Mix(mixed with what even the vets could never guess) had suffered way too long, the tumors she had on the outside of her body were hard to look at let alone knowing what had to be happening inside, she was becoming deaf and eyesight was going, she couldn’t make the steps to go where she had always slept even and it was the most painful thing and we won’t ever recover but we had to have her put to sleep for her own sake. We knew we were just being selfish keeping her with us. We had her cremated with some of her favorite toys even and keep her urn in a memorial shelf in the bedroom. People who don’t have pets would not understand but I am telling you this story, not to make you sad but to let you know that there are many of us on here who understand what you are going through and we are thinking of you. Please keep us updated, to heck with posting the latest cozy mystery info, spend the time you need with Sprite, we all understand!!!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sandra, Sprite’s a trooper! We truly don’t believe that she’s experiencing pain… She is on two pills for that, she is simply getting old. She seems pretty happy. Our vet checks her urine on a regular basis, as she has always had problems with these crystals, and each time she’s out of whack, he treats her until she gets back to being her old, stubborn, lovable self.