July 18, 2013 The Stalker

Just two days ago, Glamis was weak, listless and in pain.  Who knows where that dog went because today he is moving all over the place.  He won't lay still.  I have been down in the bakery working and every hour or so I come upstairs to check.  He is aware of me every time and then gets up to follow where ever I go.  It would be nice if I could bring him down to the bakery but I don't think a tumble down the stairs is a good idea.  Once again, there is something going on with him but I can't narrow it down.  He is fidgety but needy.  If one of us is not in the room with him, or if he doesn't realize we are there, he will start to whine.

It is another hot day.  I have a lot of work to do so Tim is on duty today. He took Glamis outside and Glamis had a dip in the pool.  Glamis was so comfortable, he wanted to put his head down and nap.  Tim didn't think to get a pool noodle and put it under his chin so that he could do just that.  Oh well.

They went to the park.  There is no point to trying to go without Glamis.  He pitches a fit if left behind.  This afternoon, he even tried to jump into the car.  If it were the van, it would not be a big deal.  Tim's new car is a Saturn Vue.  It is very high to get into.  We should have had the dogs jump into it before buying it.

After dinner, Glamis seems very sedate.  A little dopey.  He had his medicine and that initially relaxes him.  Everyone goes outside and when Glamis pees, Tim is extremely interested, looking at the ground when he walked away.  I just can't help it and ask the question.....Tim thinks Glamis has blood in his urine.  He says he thought it earlier in the day and was just checking (against the dirt and grass).  I try really hard not to roll my eyes and fail.  I also try not to get on the soapbox about communicating these things.  I bit my tongue and suggested getting a sample in a cup.  There is still time to run it down to the vet.  I walk over to the spot and agree that the pee looks wrong.

This starts a discussion about what to do.  If it is a UTI, it is fixable but what if we can't tell.  It could be cancer in the kidneys or bladder.  We talk more and think more.  I can't do it.  It is time.  Even if it were a UTI, it is just one more thing and right around the corner is another and another.  It just isn't going to get better.  Glamis doesn't need to go through anything else.   I call Dr. Mike and ask if he can stop by the house tomorrow.

Another trip to the park.  Tim gets a sample this time.  Thank you.  When I see it, I know we have made the right decision.  I won't feel like I should have given him one more chance.  The urine looks like coffee.  It is no wonder the boy has been whining today.  It may have had nothing to do with needing us near him.  Even with the pain meds he is on for his back, he has to be hurting.

Time for some serious spoiling.  Frosty paws for all.  I have more work to do but when I am done, we are going to hang out for the night.