Giving Thanks in November
Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 06:34AM 
I had something already in my mind to write about today, but something happened last night to change that.
It was time to take the dogs outside to do their business one last time before going to their crates for the night. We called Ivy, who was fast asleep with me on the couch, and, as usual, she sprang into action. She ran out in the cold, did her business in record time and scurried in. Eve took her time waking up, as usual. (Have you ever tried to wake up a deaf dog?) Once awake, she obediantly shuffled to the front door and waited while Tom put the leash on. She did her business in record time and got back to the porch without too much trouble.
But that's when the trouble started. She couldn't find the wide open door that led into the house. She kept trying to get under the table on the porch. She may have thought the space underneath the table was her crate. Tom tried to redirect her, but it was no use. Then she planted her feet and would not move. She began to tremble and shake and no matter what we tried, we couldn't get her to move in the right direction. It was clear that she was confused and afraid. Tom tried pulling her into the house with the leash, but that didn't work. She just planted her feet like an old mule. Tom, Jake, and I were all coaxing her and trying to calm her down. Finally, Jake ran for a couple of potato chips (she can still smell, apparently!) and eventually we got her into her crate, where she obediantly curled up and went to sleep.
It doesn't seem very dramatic in the retelling, but at the time it was so upsetting. Similar things have happened before but this was different. She didn't seem to know where she was or who we were; she's been confused plenty of times but she's never seemed afraid and unresponsive. Maybe she had a seizure. Maybe it was a stroke. Maybe she just woke up on the wrong side of the bed and she was simply confused.
She didn't wake up this morning when I got Ivy up, so I waited until Tom was up before we went in to wake her up. I wasn't sure what we'd be facing. She was sleeping hard, but she was alive and she seems to be 'normal' or as normal as is possible for the old girl. There seems to be no lasting repercussions from last night's events.
So, again, this morning, I'm thankful for my sweet old girl, Eve. She is a treasure and we will continue to treasure her for as long as we are blessed to have her.
To read more thankful posts, visit Rebecca.
Reader Comments (12)
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Poor Eve! She is so lovely. Hope she and you don't have to go through that again!
Awwwww. Give her some extra treats today, okay?
Poor girl. I'm glad she's okay.
Poor Eve-y!! I'm glad she got in the house OK, but I understand how distressing it is to realize that your dog is that confused...... I hope she's feeling better today. [[[[HUGS]]]]] (for you and for Eve!)
Poor old girl - it's hard to see them go through this. I'm glad she's better today.
She looks so sweet in that picture!!
Poor, sweet Eve. I love her too!
And poor Kim. You know that I know the combination of thankfulness and pain you are feeling.
I'm glad she seems okay now. I was so sad when my dog started doing weird things and showing signs of old age. I know they can't live forever, but you sure hate to see them go when they do. Hoping you have lots more good years with Eve.
I'm so glad to hear she was 'normal' today, Kim. Sometimes this happens to Mo occasionally--and it's been ongoing since she was five or so (she's now ten). We call it an 'episode' but I wondered too if it might be a form of seizure. These warm furry friends of ours are certainly something to be thankful for. XO
Sweet, sweet girl. Like everyone else, I'm glad she's okay today, and I'm glad for all the enjoyment she gives you.