January 5, 2020 – A chance encounter

What are the odds? I was driving the pups to Baring Vet today to get their nails trimmed, and just as I was approaching Howard on Fargo, I saw a young woman walking a dog that looked just like Bonnie, but with short hair. I rolled down my window:

Me: Oh my god, your dog looks just like mine! How old?
Her: A year!
Me: Did you adopt from PetCo?
Her: Yes!
Me: Oh my goodness, they are litter mates!!!

I pulled over and she came to my window. Her little girl was yapping. Bonnie was yapping.

Her: She’s a screamer!
Me: So’s Bonnie!

No… I didn’t get a photo, but going back to March I am certain the pup on the left is the one we saw as she is the only shorthaired puppy in the litter. (Bonnie is the one standing on the right)

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And a photo from Sunday laziness . . .

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The Old Boy

Buddy… just a few days ago.

Buddy 2018-04-19
Nearly 13 years old, his age is definitely catching up with him. He has nearly lost all his hearing, and his eyes are smokey with age.  He has Geriatric Onset Laryngeal Paralysis Polyneuropathy (link) and not only is it visible in his unsteady gait, but even at rest the the wasting of his muscle mass in his hind end and odd twist of his paws are clearly evident.  He often drags his knuckles when he walks.  He no longer tries to sit – he just can’t trust his hind legs – and getting into a prone position is a slow process – painful for those of us observing, but not to him, thankfully.  Ever watch an old person navigate a chair? That’ll give you a good idea of the care with which he lays his body down.  He is not in any pain, he’s just getting weaker.

He is still as loving and devoted to us as ever.

And we to him.