Well, today was not a good dog day. First thing this morning, I noticed that Gypsy did not want to get up and go outside. Highly unusual for her. I had to coax her up off her couch and then I noticed that she was super stiff and sore, and was limping on her right foreleg. When I started to check her out, I noticed that some sores that she had gotten on her snout and head were much worse and not healing. She had taken off on me about a week before and wandered about for a good hour till we found our wandering Gypsy. Then a day later I noticed that she had a couple scrapes on her and assumed that she might have gotten into a fight with another dog or something. It’s not like her at all, and I was very surprised to see these wounds. But there didn’t seem to be any other reasonable explanation, so I cleaned them and watched them for a day to see how they would heal up.

But they were getting worse and now she had them on her legs as well, so it was getting obvious that something else was up, so I called and made an appointment right away for her.

Gypsy and her brother take Best of Breed in Cleveland, Ohio, 2000

Well, got there, had to wait a bit for an emergency, and we settled in and waited our turn. Got to see our nice vet and had a very through checkup and exam. Did the black light test and it seems that my dear old lady has gotten some sort of fungal skin infection! Not sure just what, but apparently it glowed slightly and that means something bacterial and so they took some samples to culture it and see just what might the culprit. Now it could also be something internal, as in an auto-immune situation, but we’re hoping that it’s more outside related, ie., an infection of some sort.

Now, the lameness… the vet checked her hips and found them to be in great shape for a 13 year old dog. No signs that she could detect of displasia or anything like that. I’m very glad for that. Her breeder, Pat Johnson, was a wonderful lady and her dogs were all simply stunning examples of the breed. Gypsy could have been a contender, I tell ya… she could have made the big time if I had been a better handler… but she did pretty darn good, and had 7 or 8 points to her credit towards championship.

More old show photos and ribbons from her show days…

She had her hips x-rayed and tested back when she was a young lady and she was fine, so it was great to hear that she wasn’t showing any signs of displasia. However, she has arthritis in her knees and elbows. And that is what is throwing her off and bringing her up lame. There are some options, and first of all, our vet wants to do some glucosamine supplements for larger dogs and sent us home with an expensive bottle of those. Which of course, Gypsy will not take. I’ll be grinding the tabs up in her food to get them in her! Doctor said it was fine. Just gotta get them in her. If that doesn’t help out, then we’ll be looking at some steriod shots and other things to ease her pain and help with the lameness.

Poor old lady. She’s really looking a little ragged, limping and all scabby. Poor thing. Her spirits are high and she was happy to go in the car. I got her a cheeseburger for her good behavior! It’s a huge reward and something she really enjoys. Yeah, perhaps not the best for her, but she really needed a very special treat. Not feeling good and having a bumbling puppy around as well that wants to play and sleep with her and be around her constantly. Having to endure the testing and poking and prodding of the vets. She enjoyed her burger with great delight and got some good one and one time with me while we waited for the vet.

Gypsy’s first best of breed win in Saginaw, Michigan, 1999.

Well, got home, got Gypsy settled and started her on her meds. $172! Yikes! Thank goodness she’s not had to go to the vets for anything much more than shots for years, she’s been in good health. Brought home some puppy wormer as well… because guess who also wasn’t feeling good. Yes, Princess Evee is definately got a bit of puppy worm problems. Sounds yuckier than it really is, but I have read that 95% of all puppies have worms and you just treat them for a few weeks and all is well. Okay. So we get the medicine and she won’t take it. Mix it with some food and she won’t take it. So we get out the little med syringe and get a dose in her. She’s not happy, but seems okay. I had to go the post office and drop off some newsletters for the Opry and when I get back, Jessy is upset, because Evee is puking and had passed a nasty bit of evil from her little puppy backside. Check online and it’s a common reaction so we make her comfy, clean up after her and she gets babied to the max from Jessy. All evening long the poor little thing has the dry heaves and won’t eat or drink anything. Finally get her to sleep and then Gypsy retches up her meds. It is just a fun fun day at the moby farm.

Shesh…. call the vet, everything is fine, split the dose on Gypsy to help her keep it down, watch the pup for violent vomiting or a few other signs and make an appointment in the morning for the pup. Princess Evee seems a bit calmer this evening late, but won’t drink or eat. Gypsy got her half dose down and kept it fine. Of course, a bit of hot dog to get it down helped a great deal with the antibiotics. Hopefully I can get a half dose in her breakfast of the joint aid.

They were so cute this morning, before all the medical chaos began… sitting on the couch together while I washed up the dishes. Evee was being careful and not her normal crazy goofy self and Gypsy was fine to share her couch with a calm pup. They are actually getting a lot more comfortable with each other, which is good. Hopefully, in a few days everyone will start feeling better and that will help as well. We’ll know in 3 to 5 days what the next steps are in Gypsy skin issue, and most likely a medicated shampoo will help with the oral medicines. In the meanwhile, some good thoughts for my old lady and her new little sidekick will be much appreciated!

Geriatric pets are hard on a person… I was sitting there waiting and thinking, I just don’t have that much more time with this beautiful soul of a dog. Her breed just really doesn’t go much past 13 at all. The average is 12.8 years… and the longest lived on record is 18 years. She’s 13 and has been doing pretty well, but some of these issues are just a precursor to the enviable. But right now, things are going to be fine when we know what is up and get it treated. And in the meanwhile, we’ll just love her up and treat her like the queen, and enjoy the time left.

In the meanwhile, Evee is learning that living here at the Moby farm means learning to pose and get your picture taken. A lot. Often. All the time. And its good that she’s so adorably cute right now. She really knows how to work the camera!!!