Our Poor Pooch

Have I ever mentioned how we have the best dog in the world? Probably not. Well, we do. We took in Lucky about two years ago or so. She was residing at a home outside St. Cloud. The owners had an in home day care and had recently took in a new "client" who turned out to have allergies. So it was the kid (or rather MONEY) or the dog. As you can most likely deduct it was the dog that had to go. Their loss our gain I suppose. She has been wonderful. Open the door, point and say "Go" and she runs out and pees. That simple. She is amazing with kids- just look at her with Addi. Poke her in the eye, pull her ear, whatever. She probably minds, I mean, wouldn't you? You'd never guess though. She sticks right by your side, no need for a leash, and plays a mean game of fetch. She was nothing but loyal during my pregnancy. Very protective when visitors came over. Hell, she even gained some baby weight with me in sympathy. I guess bed rest wasn't the most healthful for her.


Well, as if it wasn't bad enough that she has taken a SERIOUS backseat to the babies (Walk? What's a walk?) over the last few days she hasn't been herself. I had noticed that over the last couple months she had given up her dog bed to lay in her kennel. She is only locked in at night (not that you need to lock the door as she will sleep in there more than willingly). Now, she has been spending a vast majority of the day in there coming out only to check for dropped food in the kitchen and go outside. Usually she is like an alarm clock reminding me at 5pm every night that is time to eat- at least for her. Now over the last 3 days she has stopped eating and drinking. I did get her to eat a small amount of food last night when I moved her bowl to a new location, but only a little. She hasn't been acting hungry or anything.

So today Bri took her to the vet. There they discovered a bunch of lumps on her shoulders some of which were open due to scratching. They did a few tests. No mites. No ringworm. No idea what the problem is. Allergies? No one really knows. Now she simply looks partially shaved and very sad. They gave us some antibiotics and told us to come back in a week if it isn't better. They said she is really dehydrated and we need to make sure she drinks (which so far she isn't) and if she's not eating or drinking by Monday she will need to come back in for IV fluids.



I realize that I am a pet owner and took on a responsibility when I took her in. But this is something we simply can't afford. So then what? Do I watch my beloved dog slowly die? Put her down? Ugghhh. I hate these things. It makes me feel so powerless. It makes me feel like a bad person. Why should my dog's life be any less important than my daughters'? It's not like she's old. She is only three. She should have many more years in her. I don't think I can ever take in another animal if we lose her. I know my hubby wouldn't agree. But I can't always feel stuck between this rock and hard place. I know it is easy for some people to say "It's just a dog" but I'm not that sort of person. She is not replaceable. She is not expendable. She is my dog. My baby. My best friend (besides you my love). Any advice anyone? Could really use about anything right now...