White Dog doesn't seem to quite understand why Puff will be lying perfectly content with the rest of the White Dog Army, resting, and then suddenly starts making all kinds of strange noises. Plus Still Another White Dog does not stop when WD orders her silence. Of course, we know that is a signal that it is time for our feisty little old lady to spend some time in the oxygen kennel, but White Dog seems to think it is purely insubordination.
Nuka and Puff are cuddle mates and spend most of the day near each other. Yet tonight Nuka very deliberately walked over and "marked" the spot where Puff had just been lying. Nuka has reverted back to not eating unless she is held for the meal, like she was when she had pancreatitis and we were desperately trying to get her to eat. I think it is her demand for attention during these confusing times.
The boys, Quinn, YoYoMa, and Oso, seem oblivious to Puff's illness and the difficulties her sisters are having. Steve jokes that they are typical males...the head count is right, meals are on time, and momma is happy so all is good in the world.
As for Puff, we are to nearly five hours sans oxygen assistance. And she seems a teeny tiny more cooperative (as in not trying to claw my face off) in accepting the syringe of slurry that contains her crushed meds...maybe it is simply my showing her the strip of duck jerky beforehand and promising it as soon as the medication is downed; thank dog she is bribe-able!
After some debate about the future, Steve and I decided to purchase a second oxygen concentrator. It seems that our girl is going to need continued therapy and probably need to sleep in the kennel overnight for sometime. The machine we have currently hooked up is the one I use for my sleep apnea (ok for the short term as I do not use it when I travel, for example, but certainly not something i can give up altogether). We found a great deal on a refurbished one and figure that with a houseful of senior pups, that it is best to be well equipped. Beside the tremendous value of being able to recover at home in our environment, having the ability to provide oxygen when it is needed is LOTS cheaper than even overnight at the animal hospital.
Like the rest of the WDA, I too am struggling with the shift. It is a realization that our 16 year old Puff IS an old girl subject the curses of aging including a slowly collapsing airway system. And it is a demand to rethink what had been a practiced and comfortable emergency plan in case of fire or disaster...now I must have a course of action that allows me to rescue Puff from a locked crate in another room.
Our girl is getting stronger and the medications are controlling the coughing but there are so many ripples to contend with.
5 comments:
My heart just breaks for all of you. I don't like when things are out of sync and confusing for the dogs and our household.
We are glad to hear Puff is trying to cooperate and we hope in time whatever the routine everyone will come in their own way to understand.
24 Paws Crossed that the oxygen tank and meds continue to help Puff. And that Nuka comes back around quickly.
We are thinking of you.
We are so sorry that you are all having to deal with this. We are glad Puff is getting stronger, and have our paws crossed that will continue. Sending you all peace, love and much healing energy.
We are sure sending our best purrs and prayers to Puff. It sure is a difficult time for Puff and for you but we know that the love will guide the feeling better your way.
sigh, I hope the rest of the pack becomes more accommodating soon :(
Stop on by for a visit
Kari
http://dogisgodinreverse.com/
the comment about the boys made me smile.....
you are the pet parents we all want to see adopt - we know Puff is in great hands..no matter how much time she has it is quality time!! :)
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