LAME DOG

You aren't supposed to have favorites; children or dogs.  I had only one child, so I was safe there.  But with three dogs, the fact of the matter is that I do have a favorite: Wilson. He follows me around.  He stares at me.  He looks for me and seems to be the happiest to see me when I get home.

A few weeks ago he seemed a bit lame and stiff one evening when he greeted me after work.  He was limping on his right front leg and his left rear leg.  By morning he was fine.  No vet trip needed.

That happened again last week.  Friday he was lame and stiff but able to go for the walk, chase the cyclists passing the house (we have a fenced in yard; cyclists safe) and sniff for the chippies. Saturday he would get up and move around, but was clearly hurting.  Sunday he did not move.  I hand fed him breakfast, brought a water bowl to him and worried.  I wondered if he had Lyme.

Monday he was better.  Not great, but able to run, pee, poop, eat, drink and he seemed fine.  He went to the vet anyway.  No Lyme.  Maybe arthritis or a bad back.  We got some 4 dollar a pill Doggie Motrin.

"Give it to him daily and follow up in two weeks."

Right. At 4 dollars a pill, 120 dollars a month and 1440 a year  I thought observation was in order.  He seemed fine Tuesday morning but by the evening he gave me that look and laid down in the pain position.

A few hours after I gave him the pill (with food, he didn't mind getting some more supper.  Frannie and Wrigley joined right in) he was better.  Much better.  So much better that he rubbed his face on the rug, rolled over on his back and wiggled all around.

Steven and I decided that every 36 hours was a good compromise.  I also figured that an online supplier might be less expensive.

So now, as with all things dogs and babies, we wait and see.