This is not a light-hearted post about things that annoy me when I’m running or cycling. (You can read about those here and here.) This is an update on Tiger Lilly and how we have gotten used to each stage of her degenerative condition.
The first nuisance we got used to was having to carry her up and down the stairs. I joke that carrying 65 pounds of dog up and down the stairs should count as my cross-training for the day, but actually being able to carry 65 pounds of dog up and down the stairs is why I keep up with my strength routine. It’s cross-training for life, right?
The next nuisance we got used to is taking her out the front door for potty breaks, instead of letting her out in the back yard. For some reason, she is more willing to navigate the two steps out the front door than the two steps out the back door, and really doesn’t like going out the back door anymore. Since our front yard is not fenced, this means having to clip on her leash and go outside with her, but that also gives us a chance to make sure that she actually goes.
That brings us to the third nuisance, which we aren’t so much getting used to as trying to prevent. While she still has complete bladder control, she does not seem to know when she’s pooping, and has pooped in the house a few times. Luckily her GI system is working well and it’s been easy to clean up, but it’s not something we want to add to our daily routine. (She’s the same way on her walks, not stopping when she’s going–like a horse!)
As we normalize each of these nuisances, we are being careful to assess her quality of life. For now, she still enjoys (short) walks and still enjoys sunbathing in the (front) yard. But she is losing strength in her hind legs, and sometimes her right leg doesn’t seem to cooperate at all. With a progressive, debilitating condition, it’s hard to know when to draw the line, because we keep getting used to a new normal.
Today’s Wednesday Word is nuisance.
Do you find it cathartic to vent about nuicances?
What’s annoying you today?
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OH OH OH TL.
<3
And yes to the nuances and the slipping into a new normal (which we humans can so so too too easily) here too.
Im in a phase of needing to NOTICE THE NUANCES and choosing to change them if I can.
<3 <3 <3
Sometimes we need to set our priorities right. The things we complain about, the little things? Merely nuisances. I’m sorry about Tiger Lily. It’s hard to see a beloved furry family member age. She’s lucky to have you.
Thanks. We’re lucky to have her too – she’s such a sweetie. 🙂
Awww, poor Tiger Lily and poor you. I can’t even imagine carrying a 65 lb dog up & down stairs. I know I couldn’t do it, actually. 40 lbs is about my limit, and being so short, even that can be challenging.
When illness is involved, there’s always a new normal, and it’s never what you want it to be. 🙁
We carried Chester a lot the last month or two, but he was a whopping 9 lbs & even that felt heavy! I still do miss the feel of his head tucked under mine as I carried him up & down the stairs.
When we first moved here the backyard wasn’t completely fenced & it took a few months before it was, even though that was one of our first projects. Taking 2 dogs out on leash every day was a total pain, but hey, some people have to do that always.
I know it’s hard, and it’s tiring, but try to treasure the time you have with Tiger Lily. They are gone all too soon. 🙁
They do make doggie diapers, as I’m sure you’re probably aware of — we had considered that for Chester at one point, but it never really got to that point for us.
We used them for our beagle, and they worked for her. TL really doesn’t need them now. As long as we are vigilant about taking her out, she does OK.
I’m so sorry about Tiger Lily 🙁 Dogs are no doubt just like family members so I know this must be a very hard time for you.
Do you think that doggie diapers might help, for when she is in the house?
Thank you for sharing an update with us.
It’s amazing how much they are a part of our lives. I honestly don’t think TL would keep a diaper on, but she doesn’t really need them now anyway. We just have to make sure we take her out regularly. Thanks for your support.
Aw poor Tiger Lily! Yes carrying her 65 pounds around is a labor of love
Your post brings a dose of perspective to the everyday annoyances I tend to think about as nuisances. Tiger Lily is so lucky to have you on her team.
Aw, thanks. She helps me keep perspective too. I’m not always patient on or walks until I remember that I need to treasure them!
So, so sorry to hear about these issues. Nothing is ever really a nuisance when caring about a loved one, even if that loved one has paws instead of hands and feet. I hope you are able to have more good time with her, and that when the good times are up, she eases out gracefully and peacefully. My thoughts are with you.
Thank you so much. We are trying to make sure we don’t let her suffer.
Awww bless her. The care for aging pets can present big challenges and it tugs at the heart. The extra clean up can get to ya, I have been through it…but they give us so much joy 🙂
Yeah, the joy and snuggles are worth it!
Poor Tiger Lily. I’m sorry to hear about the degenerative condition but I hope that you continue to have some valuable time with her.
Thank you. We are fighting over who gets to sit on the sofa with her – where a year ago we were fighting over whether she should be allowed on the sofa. 😉
Saying prayers for your sweet Tiger Lilly! I cannot imagine carrying 65 pounds up and down the stairs!!
Thank you! It’s not as bad as it sounds – she does her part by staying still. If she wriggled it would never work!
Aw look at that sweet baby! The thing we do for the ones we love (even the furry ones). Those are nuisances, but I would do the same for my dog. She is lucky to have you and we are always lucky to have the animals we do in our lives. She is beautiful!
Thank you. She had brought a lot of joy to our lives.
What a lucky dog TL is to have such a loving family 😉 I’m glad that she seems to have many more good days than bad, and you have found ways to make everything work for her. ((hugs))
I am so sorry to read this ; (
I am glad she is still enjoying sunshine and short walks.
65 lbs up amd down stairs…that is a workout for sure!
Tiger Lily is still ever so pretty and I love her name. I share your pain as I navigate this same road with my dogs. We said goodbye to Remy in July and his brother Carlo, at almost 17 has many of the same issues as yours. Its a labor of love for sure.
I’m sure Tiger Lilly appreciates your loving care. She’s a lucky pup!
Even though I’m late in reading last week’s posts, I’m grateful that you linked up!