Sunny skies on this Sunday morning. Thank you Old Man Winter. You’ll see photos of this particular view fairly often on the blog. This is what I see when I stand in the kitchen doorway and look up. That’s a maple on the left, the catalpa in the middle and our sugar maple on the right, along with a cast of thousands. We have a lot of trees.
My boy Riley had a very bad night. I woke up to discover he’d had some elimination problems (no big deal, we’re used to that now) and he’d somehow managed to get wedged half-way under the kitchen island. I can only imagine he panicked and, since he has problems getting around anyway, somehow slipped on the wood floor and couldn’t get up. When I managed to get him up, he kept collapsing. I finally got him outside where he regained a little strength in his legs.
He’s exhausted. Life is hard for my dear boy and I try to reassure him when he’s distressed or worried. Because he does worry. At this point in his life, nothing is worth one second of his feeling bad or guilty.
We try to make getting around as easy as possible. We lift him up and down the stairs. We help him up when his body is stiff and sore. When we look outside and see a mass of mud on the path to the corral, Don runs to the Agway to get some hay.
We cover the mud and tamp it down, so he can get a solid footing. (We put a bit too much down this time!) I vacuum up bits of hay every day. But if it helps Mr. Riley, I’ll vacuum ten times a day.
Don has a cold. Both my boys are having a tough time of it.
Scout and I are fine. Right, Scout?
What are your plans for this Sunday? Is it sunny in your neck of the woods?
I hope your boys feel better. Poor doggie. You take good care of him. My husband has a cold as well. Working 6 12 hour days in an unheated room this week. His boss turns the heat down intentionally……unreal.
We are (hoping) to go to a friends house today and then another friends to drop off a baby gift. They both live in the boonies. The new Christmas gift from the kids will be making an appearance….a GPS. Take care of your babies.
Good morning, Claudia! It sounds like you have your hands full this morning. Poor boy(s). It is awful, isn’t it, to watch our pets with failing health? I just can’t do it anymore. When I lost our little MistyCat I just decided I didn’t want to love and lose another pet..selfish of me…but…it is what it is.
Your area is lovely! I love looking out and seeing those wonderful homes in your neighborhood. Not sure where you live but it is lovely! xo Diana
Just wanted to stop by and say thank you so much for the beautiful comment on my blog! It truly lifted my spirits! I hope everyone is feeling better soon!
blessings,
karianne
I think it’s because dogs, and cats can’t talk that we feel so helpless when they are not feeling good.
Poor baby, I hope that the hay helps him walk a little steadier.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Hope your boys are doing better. When my dog hurt her back, I spent months carrying her outside, up and downstairs every time she needed to eliminate. I also made a trail of carpet squares over my hardwood floors. I taped them together underneath with carpet tape. The squares are still there after a few years, helping the dogs to get around. It’s just payback for the love they’ve given us for many years.
Hi Claudia, I am jumping from blog to blog this morning, browsing. I just got to yours and read the current entry. My heart went out to you and poor Riley. I am assuming it is old age, arthritis, or other similar problems, and I am not sure how close to the end he is. We’ve been through it too, and it is heart wrenching to try to make our furry family members more comfortable as they age. I found something that helped my dog, and has helped many friends’ dogs too – so I wanted to tell you about it. I have NO connection to the company at all – well, other than loving the product. It is called Cetyl-M – and it is a natural supplement for joint pain. I have seen it make a world of difference in our sweet Lucky when she was failing, and was so relieved to see her hold up her head again and walk with more ease and less pain. I buy it at the feed store, it’s not cheap, but well worth it. Here’s a link http://www.responseproducts.com/default.php which tells about it. Not trying to stick my nose in your business, but just felt compelled to tell you about this. Hope your boys feel better soon too! Now I will go ahead and explore your blog. :-) Have a great day!
Hope your hubby and Riley feel better soon. You are a good mommy. Have a quiet Sunday.
It’s just heartbreaking to hear poor Riley’s health problems. I know how you feel; in times like these, nothing matters but his comfort. You’re doing all you can for him, and somehow he knows that. Maybe you and Riley were brought together so that you could give him the love and care he’d need during this time. Hope things get better for all of you.
Hope your boys feel better soon! !! Have a great Sunday!!!
So sorry ‘the boys’ are poorly today and hope they each improve with all the loving care I know you give. Looks like the snow has gone and you are enjoying skies as blue as ours down south.
Hey Claudia – are you watching Downton Abbey – Series II? If so, hope you’re enjoying as much as I am.
Hugs – Mary
I can really empathize wit you regarding your elderly dog. I went through that not too long ago. My little Lhasa lived 17 3/4 years, but the last year was so hard on her and on me. I couldn’t leave her for very long, and pretty much devoted most of my time to keeping her safe and secure. I finally realized it was time to let her go. A wonderful vet came to the house and I held my little friend, and she went so peacefully. I think I kept her alive longer than I should have, but letting go is so hard.
You just know when it is time.
Those critters just become so special and loved, and are definitely a part of the family.
nancyr
Claudia, Sorry to hear about your boys feeling sick. Good thing you are healthy to watch over them. It’s cloudy here, and this morning started off with beautiful pink skies. Trying to snow . take care, Susie
Poor baby….I know what you are talking about. I have been in your shoes several times over the years with our pets. They deserve all of our love, attention and patience. They give back so much! Very sunny day here so far…wind is picking up though and I heard more rain coming our way. I am really appreciating this sun for a change, though! Take care of your boys!~Hugs, Patti
I’m always glad and sad to read your posts about sweet Riley. It’s sunny here – surprise! hugs
Sorry that Don is feeling under the weather, a lot of respiratory illnesses going around. I know that it difficult for you to have to watch Riley suffer. The circle of life is difficult at times. I have had dogs that suffered with old age and failing joints and like you I did all I could to make them comfortable and live with dignity. I will keep your you, Don, and your “babies” in my prayers. Hoping today will be better for Riley.
Michle
Hope Don feels better soon so he can make another video in the kitchen. I’m waiting for that. It is so hard to see our ‘babies’ feeling badly. Our dog is going on 12 now and we see lots of change in him. We are just back from a walk in the woods which he loves and he will sleep now for hours. He gets stiff after a run (or long walk) but he thinks it’s worth it. I’ll keep Riley in my prayers, Claudia. I pray for animals all the time. Hugs, Deb
Claudia I hope that sweet Riley feels better. He sounds so much like our Duffy. When he was not well and had some accidents he felt so guilty. Like you nothing mattered to me as long as he was comfortable and happy. I miss him so much. Give your lovely boy a big hug.
hugs,
Sue
Poor Riley and Don…you are going to be busy today! I know what you are going through with Riley as I nursed our old dog Shadow through some very rough times. I would do it again if I had to {and I am sure I will}.
I hope you get some down time. A good movie or some reading in!
XO,
Jane
Hope those boys are on the mend x
It`s been snowing all day here, Claudia. It looks beautiful, I must say.
You are a woderful mom. Riley is a lucky boy. Give him a HUGE hug for me.
Sue
xo
You are such a good mommy and I sure can relate to a sick dog. It was not even a year ago that I was up nights with our dear Obie. Poor little guy always felt bad if he had an accident in the house. It’s inevitable. Eventually, we had to pick up all the rugs and lay down plastic sheeting on our rugs in the bedroom. You both are showing your boy lots of love and compassion and I believe St. Francis will reward you some day! What else would any of us do? They are just like our children. Prayers are going out to you and your wonderful husband and sweet little boy Riley.
Oh my, the cold weather is so hard on the joints. I have both tears in my eyes and a smile reading your blog. Tears because of Riley’s hardships in getting around and your heartache in seeing this, but a smile because of the love you have; that I have myself for an old dog. That love is so great that I have been where you are at now some years before with my Rutgers and I know that in just a few more years I will probably be there again with my Masala. All because the love of an old dog… I will be thinking of you all. Peace to all. Brianne
poor sweet Riley. I remember lifting Heidi up and down the stairs, some days were good some were not. I hope tomorrow is better for him.
Sunny here today and that helped my disposition!
Hope your boys are feeling better! We put down straw for our pugs, too…their little feet can’t take the snow and ice! It really does help them!
Claudia, to ease your back from lifting Riley up, get a bath towel and place the center of it under his chest, then bring up the ends up on each side of him and grasp the ends together, holding them up. This more or less has Riley in a sling but you can more comfortably hold him up on his feet without bending yourself. I hope you understand what I mean. Anyway, much prayer for your Boys and along with you and Scout too!
Oh Claudia, I know you worry about Riley so much. I know how you felt a week or so ago. I was cutting some of Abi’s hair this morning and nicked her. Right around her little butt. I bawled like a baby. Now I know how you felt that day. Horrid. I’m sorry about Don too. Oh, I want to hear that man sing!
Brenda
Just catching up on blogs this evening and am so sorry to hear about your guys…
Am saying a prayer that tonight will be restful for all of you and that Riley will be able to peaceful..
please be sure to take care of yourself too..
Claudia and Don, you are doing a fine job for your dear Riley. I just visited a blog, Maggie and Mitch, and read that Maggie (their Airdale) just passed. I sat here and cried. Our dogs are our babies and it hurts to seem them suffer. On 1-16 we lost our sweet Socks. I prayed that God would allow her to die in my arms and she did two hours later.
I will send a prayer for Riley.
Love you,
Becky
PS: Don, get well soon!
Doesn’t it just break your heart to see your little Riley struggling? He’s such a lucky boy to have you and Don who love him unconditionlly and do everything in your power to make life more comfortable for him. I hope both your boys are doing better soon.
~Sandy
Oh Riley, I’m sorry you are having trouble, but am glad your humans treat you so well. Hope everyone is feeling better soon. Ann
Hope your boys are feeling better today. I’m a bit behind in my blog reading.
Laura
I am just new to your blog and I hope you dont mind me saying but you remind me a lot of my Mum (thats a compliment!) I hope your dog feels better soon, I’m sure that just knowing his family loves him makes a big difference.