Pet Care- Watching My Older Dog Grow Even Older

Let me introduce you to Kizzy. Kizzy is my 15 year old, Peek-a-Poo. I've had her since she was 3 months old. She is the smartest dog I've ever had. Now here she is almost 15 and it is challenging watching her in her senior years.

Kizzy has had several medical problems over her life. She was susceptible to ear infections because of her floppy ears. She had a slipped disc in her neck and could hardly raise her head. When she did, she would yelp in excruciating pain. The vet said there was a possibility they could fix it with a $2500 surgery- but there was no guarantee. Before I agreed, I did research on the Internet and found a pet rehabilitation center literally 5 miles from where I live. There were only 3 or 4 of these type clinics in the country, and I lived near one. They treated her with acupuncture and massage therapy. After two treatments, she was fine. It cost me a lot less that the $2500

Then she went through this period of having bladder stones. The first time she had surgery to have them removed. Then they can back. The next time, she was treated with this dog food that dissolves the stones over time. She couldn't eat anything else but this food for at least six weeks. No treats, no bones, just this food. There was a trick though. If you baked the food, it would harden and make treats. I actually baked and microwave this food to give Kizzy some variety. The food was a success and the stones dissolved. We changed her diet and they have never returned.

Recently, my Kizzy is experiencing these twitches. They are like litte seizures. The vet prescribed some thyroid medicine and although the twitches haven't stopped completely, her energy has been restored. She is playful again. Anyone who meets her can't believe she is 15 because of her high energy level.

About a month ago, Kizzy was standing at the top of the stairs. All of a sudden she fell down the stairs from the top. She went into these convulsions, like a Grand Mal seizure. When she came to, she couldn't walk. Her head was tilted and she kept bumping into the wall. It was the scarious thing I'd every witnessed. My husband and I grabbed her and took her to the emergency room. By the time we got there, she was better. They diagnosed her with Vestibular Disease. The funny thing about this disease is they it cures itself in a couple days. Well with Kizzy, she was fine by the time we returned home.

I love my dog. Watching her grow old brings sadness. I'm thankful for all these years. She has had a full life and has been a constant friend. She's even been on a road trip to Texas. She is a part of this family and everyone loves her. She loves holidays when the house is full.

I know that the day is approaching when we will have to part ways and I can't imagine how I'm going to feel. Even now as I write this, she's trying to get my attention because she wants a treat. She communicates so well. Here I come girl!