Tuesday, January 15, 2008

AS A DOG GROWS OLDER...

"As a Man Grows Older" is the English title of a novel by Svevo. The Italian title, "Senilità", is crueller and I didn't want to use it as a post title. Now, I know there's no point in waiting around for the next wrinkle to appear and that you just have to get on with however much remains of your life , but the fact is that I think about ageing and its possible effects a lot these days. Funnily enough, there is an excellent article about it all in my February Good Housekeeping, which arrived today. I mind ageing myself - of course I do! - but I really take exception to the process when it involves my dog.

I think that life is unfair to dog-owners; why we cannot be allowed to just live out our allotted span with our faithful canine companions seems a cruel biological trick to me. OK, I'll get to the point: Simi and I went to the vet this morning for her annual check-up and vaccination. He always checks her over well and this time found the beginnings of cataracts in both eyes. My baby!! She has not shown any sign of distress and still behaves, as she always has, like an energetic puppy but this diagnosis is a signal of time passing that I do not want to acknowledge.

"Don't worry", said the vet kindly. "It won't deteriorate quickly". He has prescribed some pills which may help and we have to wait for these to arrive at the chemist's from Catania, then we have to go back for another check in 40 days' time. You may be surprised to learn that doggy medicines are not purchased at the vet's here, as in the UK: just like when you go to the doctor's yourself, you are given a prescription for them and you take this to the pharmacy!

My dear little girlie: she has been so courageous and has been through so much, having, as I so often remind her, "come all the way to the land of the beautiful lampposts on a great big planey with mummy". We will get through this!

27 comments:

jmb said...

I can sympathize with Miss Simi, as I have two cataracts myself which will be needing surgery within the next few months.

At least Miss Simi does not have to worry about driving.

I can't imagine what he is prescribing for helping with cataracts.

I mind ageing a great deal myself. I'm OK till now, but I would like to go no further thank you.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, jmb. I haven't told her yet and won't till I have to. True, she doesn't have to drive but she thinks these Italian drivers could do worse than to take her tips! With you on ageing.

Anne in Oxfordshire said...

Big hug for Simi. ( )

We will get through this WL ( ) hug for you as well. x x

Rowena said...

I feel the same way with our little four-legged hiking companion--it is not fair! On the other hand, I get a kick out of the fact that all of Maddie's medication and doctor visits are tax-deductible. Not a terrible amount, but I don't believe this would ever happen in the states!

James Higham said...

Yes, a sad state of affairs with this 7:1 ratio of years. My thoughts are with both of you.

Sally said...

Poor Simi, but do take heart that vets can operate for canine cataracts if the sight really goes. Our last dog (this was before this operation was possible for dogs) was utterly blind by the time he died at a great old age, but got on with his life perfectly happily. We never moved a single piece of furniture and his greatest joy was runnng on a beach, where he knew it was safe to go flat out. Dogs are SO brave, and have such spirit, but it is a sadness that we know they don't last as long as us. Speaking personally, I hate the ageing - what I'd really like is a new body!

Eurodog said...

Of course you'll get through it, WL.
Belle is 11 now and I can see signs as well. It saddens me because she has taught me everything I know about dogs.
C'est la vie but still not fun.
With you on this , WL.

Ellee Seymour said...

Poor Simi, it's a good job the vet picked up on this now. I hope the medication helps.

Atlantic John said...

Yes, it's terrible to see the dog getting older. Our own faithful pointer is now over eleven and at the stage where, on certain mornings (particularly when it's cold), walking is very difficult. He's also very grumpy (which is understandable since he is clearly sometimes in pain). We take him to the vet regularly and give him lots of pills, but I’m afraid the end cannot be all that far off.
The terrible thing about it is that this is perhaps a foretaste of one's own destiny...
That sounds very depressing - sorry.

Whispering Walls said...

Maybe Eurodog has some good advice for you?

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Thanks, Anne. We appreciate the hugs. Hi, rowena. Not fair at all. I didn't know that about the tax. Thank you, James. We appreciate that. Hi, Sally. That is encouraging. Agree that dogs are so brave. I've always thought we should be able to get ourselves new bodies at the "Body Shop"! Thank you for the empathy, eurodog. It helps a lot. Hi, ellee. Yes, it's been caught early so maybe that is in our favour. Hello, Atlantic John, nice to meet you. Yes, it is so sad to see your dog ageing and you are right - it makes you think of your own mortality. We send our best wishes to you and your pointer.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Thanks, WW. I'm sure she has.

Leslie: said...

Oh dear, yes it just might be the first sign of poor Simi ageing. I hate it, too, and like you would like to get a new one at the body shop. I knew Star was getting on about 18 months prior to her death, but kept saying to her, "Don't go, yet, I need you." And she hung on for me. But I'm sure Simi is still too young for you to even consider that. Small dogs live longer lives than bigger dogs, so hopefully this will clear itself up and you'll go on together for quite some time. Hugs.

PinkAcorn said...

OH, this reminds me of my 10 year old Cocker Spaniel, "Huey". I loved him so. He not only had cataracts but started to lose his hearing. A week before his vet appt. he ran in the street..I can only hope he didn't suffer. I miss him to this day.

Dragonstar said...

Poor Simi - and poor you as well. Please keep us posted.

Anonymous said...

Dear Simi. I suspect, however, she is not suffering as much as her mum just now. Animals are very resilient. And so are you, WL. Take care, will email tomorrow, need rest now xx

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, Leslie. your post about Star was so touching. I have been saying to Simi for a while now, "Please don't leave me" so I must have sensed something. I am convincing myself that the medication will work for now. Oh, Pink, I am so sorry. I am sure he didn't suffer and that you gave him a wonderful life. Thanks you from us both, Dragonstar. Simi says she has no intention of giving up blogging! Thanks from both of us, Shirl. you take care, too, now. xx

Crushed said...

Dogs can live a very long time these days.
Sometimes I think they get better service from vets than we do from doctors.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Thanks, Crushed - that makes us feel better.

tooth fairy said...

So sorry Simi has cataracts. I thought that only came on with age but four years ago I visited an orphanage in Tibet and several of the children had cataracts. A Dr. from the US has partnered with one from Nepal and started the Himalayan Cataract Foundation in which they raise funds to remove cataracts (for about $12 an eye). I believe Nepal and Tibet have the highest incidence of cataracts in the world.

Trubes said...

Welshcakes: Poor you, I think it`s the sudden realisation, that non of us is immortal, is the hardest thing to bear. Whilst your worrying about Simi, she looks as fit as a fiddle and as if she hasn`t a care in the world. Judging from the way she`s cared for, by her loving Mamma, she`ll live to a grand old age. She`ll probably be helping you across the road before you have to help her! (that comment was made in jest) not an inference of advancing years.
After my latest sojourn into the unknown world of failing health, I pinch myself every morning, just to check that I`m still alive. Ha ha!
Quite often I have a large Black and White Puss sitting on my chest, obviously checking my heart beat just to make sure!

Di. xxx

marymaryquitecontrary said...

Try not to worry welchcakes,our little Suki was sixteen when she died;cataracts are a nuisance but they are not life threatening. Simi, we hope will be your faithful companion for many years yet.

Anonymous said...

I am sure she will be fine for ages Ms Limoncello, Mutts has cataracts and is pretty poor sighted - he just follows walls or me.

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Hi, TF. I didn't know that about Nepal and Tibet. Terrible for children to be affected.
Thank you so much, Trubes. You have cheered us both up. Well, Simi has lots of spirit so I do hope she will be the one taking care of me as I go dotty! Take care x
Thanks, marymary. I do hope so for I cannot imagine being without her.
Thanks, Mutley. Best wishes to Muts from both of us.

Unknown said...

tis definately hard WCl to watch our animal babies age, we have two dogs, both border collies. Suey is 7 1/2 and aging at a fast rate and Dog is only only 18 months, so I spend a fair amount of my time making sure Suey has Mummy time :) Enjoy your time with Miss Simi, we are all but here for a minute xo

Liz Hinds said...

Oh Pat, I've only just got round to reading this. Poor Simi. Harvey, of course, was walking into things long before he got old (and George also shows this tendency). But I'm sure Simi wil continue to be be a brave little girl, as well as thinking she's still a playful pup, for a long time yet. Don't fret too soon, Pat!

Welshcakes Limoncello said...

Ciao, Kyles. Yes, it is hard and I identify with everything that you write. xx from Simi and me.

Thanks, Liz. We have got the medication now so I am praying it will, at least, postpone any deterioration. Simi is quite happy in herself. Only if one of us had to get cataracts, why couldn't it have been me?!

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