Tucker

My poor old man dog is starting to show his age. Tucker developed a rash and a small mass on his stomach about a month ago so I took him to the vet for the first time in a long time. The dermatology vet was not sure what the mass was so Tucker and I met with a general practice vet. Turns out the mass is the least of his problems at the moment (since it is not cancerous). Tucker has  a couple teeth that need to be pulled, he is arthritic, he may have a slipped disc in his back and he has Chronic Kidney Disease.

Fortunately we caught the kidney disease early and we can manage it with food and eventually meds. The vet has been a.m.a.z.i.n.g. through this process. Tucker was diagnosed on 08/29/14 and the vet called me everyday through the holiday weekend to check on Tucker and see how he was reacting to the new food and pain medication. That was way above and beyond anything I expected. I really appreciated it because at that point we did not know how advanced the kidney disease was. Tucker has been poked and prodded and shaved and prodded again and he has handled it in stride. I had to leave him with the vet on Tuesday so they could do an ultrasound. The vet ended up finishing her afternoon rounds with Tucker in tow. He is so spoiled!

If you have never seen a doped up dog it is both sad and comical. The meds made Tucker seem drunk. He could not walk in a straight line and he struggled to keep his back end up and operational. After a few days of that we decided to discontinue the pain meds. He seems to be doing fine,he is even enjoying his new prescription doggy food.

Farm Dog

I call Tucker my guard dog because he never leaves my side.  He sleeps by my bed and follows me everywhere. Tucker keeps me company when I go out to the pet pen to feed the animals. He will walk the perimeter of the pen, keeping watch. I'd like to think he is watching for any potential dangers but In reality he is probably looking for someone/thing to play with. 

The rabbits have gotten used to him being around and a couple have even let him come close enough for a sniff inspection. Tucker is currently fascinated with the chickens. He's not really sure what to make of them but he knows he wants to give them kisses. Badly. Poor Tuck has to wait in the house while the chickens are out of the coop because they have made it pretty clear they do NOT want kisses.

At 13 Tuck is getting to be an old man but he still aspires to one day become a full time lap dog. At 45 pounds I don't see that happening but he can be my guard dog anytime!