Post by lew92 on Jul 4, 2019 10:11:52 GMT -5
Lewis is our 13 1/2 year old red dachshund. He's always been full of energy. A study in contrasts, he's one of the most loving, joyful dogs in the world when it comes to humans, but he's testy, domineering, and can be downright rude with other dogs.
DH calls him "Helicopter Boy" because he'll stay out in the yard long after the other dogs have come in, tail up in the air and wagging while he sniffs the entire yard, following a trail of some long-gone critter.
We've had him since he was about 3 months old. He is the son of our older wiener dog, Maynard, and litter mate to Ducky.
My heart is heavy because I think he is dying.
He slowed down a lot suddenly a couple of days ago. Yesterday, I noticed that his voice sounded different, but he's been barking a lot, too. But today I had to pick him up out of his crate and carry him up the steps.
He's got bad arthritis in his shoulders, so has needed a boost to get him started upstairs but today he wouldn't even try. He is wheezing and I found a lump near the bottom of his throat. Being a holiday today, the vet is going to be awfully expensive. Lewis doesn't seem to be in discomfort, just tired and not wanting to be bothered. If he were in pain, I'd take care of it myself here at home. If he is still with us tomorrow, I will take him in right away.
I just never thought he'd be the first of the boys to leave us. Ducky was raised in town and has had health issues now and again, Maynard is older so he's a more likely candidate...though I think we will lose him yet this summer, too.
Keep us in your thoughts and prayers...losing a pet is so darned hard. But I wouldn't be without them for the world.
DH calls him "Helicopter Boy" because he'll stay out in the yard long after the other dogs have come in, tail up in the air and wagging while he sniffs the entire yard, following a trail of some long-gone critter.
We've had him since he was about 3 months old. He is the son of our older wiener dog, Maynard, and litter mate to Ducky.
My heart is heavy because I think he is dying.
He slowed down a lot suddenly a couple of days ago. Yesterday, I noticed that his voice sounded different, but he's been barking a lot, too. But today I had to pick him up out of his crate and carry him up the steps.
He's got bad arthritis in his shoulders, so has needed a boost to get him started upstairs but today he wouldn't even try. He is wheezing and I found a lump near the bottom of his throat. Being a holiday today, the vet is going to be awfully expensive. Lewis doesn't seem to be in discomfort, just tired and not wanting to be bothered. If he were in pain, I'd take care of it myself here at home. If he is still with us tomorrow, I will take him in right away.
I just never thought he'd be the first of the boys to leave us. Ducky was raised in town and has had health issues now and again, Maynard is older so he's a more likely candidate...though I think we will lose him yet this summer, too.
Keep us in your thoughts and prayers...losing a pet is so darned hard. But I wouldn't be without them for the world.