My Shadow, just a few days ago, getting caught in the midst of “licking his chops”. Lucky shot on my part. Shadow has been battling pneumonia since the end of April. Just three days short of my husband’s major operation and one month after my dad died, Shadow would find himself in an oxygen tank and fighting for his life. And sadly the battle continues.
This year has been tough on me on a personal level. To watch another loved one suffer with health issues is quite difficult. Shadow has been on a few rounds of antibiotics since the diagnosis. Everytime he takes them, he bounces back. He plays, he runs (which I don’t encourage) and his appetite is excellent! He was on antibiotics a few weeks ago and he did very well and he gave me “those eyes” of his. Any animal guardian or parent will understand that phrase. He knows how to work me or should I say I let him think that. Either way, he melts my heart into a million pieces.
Shadow is a one-of-a-kind dog. So special. Sensitive. Extremely intelligent. Emotional. Funny. Did I mention his great appetite? Sometimes, I think he lives for food! Just kidding. He lives for me!!
Seriously, Shadow is an important member of our family and my husband and I cherish him. Early (4AM) this morning, I noticed how he was holding his head in the air. I noticed in the last day and a half that he was coughing more again.
I believe “animal people” can relate to me when I say we can sense when something isn’t right with our “kids”. I was right. So he is back on antibiotics. Can’t waste anytime with a respiratory problem particularly with a dog with a collapsing trachea.
Here’s to Shadow improving in the next couple of days! I love “my boy”. He has given me strength during my toughest times and now I must give him my strength. He knows he can count on me.
“Until you have loved an animal, part of your soul will have remained dormant.” — Anatole France