In every cloud a silver lining...
The story begins with bringing Wonton to New York. For a variety of reasons, I wanted the dog here with us.
On Wednesday, I intended to call the vet to make the appointment to have the dog put down. That got delayed when I got the phone call about my father dying. I even joked, "Well, Wonton, you've gotten a reprieve."
As most of you know, Mom has been caring for my father for years. It's gotten particularly intense during the last year as he has not been able to be alone at all. I'm sure you all see where this is going.
Within 24 hours of the dog being at her house, Mom took Wonton on as her personal charge. She's been massaging and exercising her limbs. She's been carefully monitoring her medications to see if a slightly higher dose of the pain med would be helpful. She upped her dose of glucosamine. She's been getting her outside (in her fenced in yard) and letting her spend time in the sun warming herself. It's like boot camp for special needs dogs. (Mom has taken in other dogs with special needs and has some experience.)
For her part, I've never seen Wonton so active and, well, happy. She is like the queen of all she surveys. She suns herself for a bit, gets up, moves to a new spot, suns herself some more. This morning she took off running after a cat in the backyard - moving faster than anyone has ever seen before. She gets along very well with JR, my father's cocker spaniel. Even JR, who has been moping around since my father's death, perked up and is more active with Wonton around.
Can anyone say kismet?
This morning really sealed the deal. I woke up and saw my mother hugging Wonton and giving her kisses. My sister looked at me and said, "We're not bringing your dog home."
She's already home.
On Wednesday, I intended to call the vet to make the appointment to have the dog put down. That got delayed when I got the phone call about my father dying. I even joked, "Well, Wonton, you've gotten a reprieve."
As most of you know, Mom has been caring for my father for years. It's gotten particularly intense during the last year as he has not been able to be alone at all. I'm sure you all see where this is going.
Within 24 hours of the dog being at her house, Mom took Wonton on as her personal charge. She's been massaging and exercising her limbs. She's been carefully monitoring her medications to see if a slightly higher dose of the pain med would be helpful. She upped her dose of glucosamine. She's been getting her outside (in her fenced in yard) and letting her spend time in the sun warming herself. It's like boot camp for special needs dogs. (Mom has taken in other dogs with special needs and has some experience.)
For her part, I've never seen Wonton so active and, well, happy. She is like the queen of all she surveys. She suns herself for a bit, gets up, moves to a new spot, suns herself some more. This morning she took off running after a cat in the backyard - moving faster than anyone has ever seen before. She gets along very well with JR, my father's cocker spaniel. Even JR, who has been moping around since my father's death, perked up and is more active with Wonton around.
Can anyone say kismet?
This morning really sealed the deal. I woke up and saw my mother hugging Wonton and giving her kisses. My sister looked at me and said, "We're not bringing your dog home."
She's already home.