Laura Seabrook's Ramblings

As I was going through my pet photos I found this one of Theo from 2013. It was a hot January and he'd just been groomed.

At least i was able to spend the day with him, comforting him as a I could, before he died. When Theo came here 5 years ago his relationship with Bobs was at first problematic, but he found his way into my heart very quickly. Lisa told me that she thought he was 8 years old back then, so that means he was 13 years this year.

He bullied Mystery the cat but really they were friends. He barked at everything that was there, and a lot that wasn't. Even today, panting on the outside front sofa, he still tried to bark at passing dogs! He enjoyed his walks when he was well.

This will be the first time that I'll be without a dog since November 1997. Theo is the fourth pet to have died in the last three years. I might one day get another dog, but think I need to wait and allow myself to grieve first. I am missing him terribly.

Well that was an epic trip to the vets!!

Theo had a dag that had matted with the hair around his anus, and was causing problems with him passing stools. I took him in a carrier to go on the bus and was told point blank by the bus driver No dogs, cats or birds are allowed on the bus! So, no bus trip to the vets. I walked home with Theo and looked up the regulations (see this page) and provided they are in an appropriate bus, they ARE ALLOWED on the bus. So I mad an official complaint. I got the drivers bus number for that as well. I also phoned the depot and they checked the regulations and were surprised to see that I was correct.

Anyway, next doors gave Theo and I a lift to the vets (I DO have good neighbours, eh?) where I had a very stressful time holding Theo firm while the vet cut away the dags and hair, applied an antiseptic cream and expelled his anal glands for good measure. But Theo howled, cried, and growled all the way through that. I was able to catch a different bus home without incident and carried Theo home in the carrier (he refused to get out). and gave him most of a cocktail frank to make up for his trouble. All better now, but he's still a bit sore.

ust took Theo to the vets. He's been coughing a lot, resisting exercise and has a bit of bad breath. Sure enough he has tartar buildup (rotten teeth) and fluid on the lungs due to heart disease (which I already knew). Another round of medication. This time I'm trying a daily dose of chewies for him. He also got an injection.

But what was really nice is that a friend down the road gave me a lift there and back 45 minutes later. Theo made a commotion - doesn't like traveling in a carrier on a car or bus - but it was quick. He's getting groomed tomorrow, which should make things more comfy as well.

I found four clumps of poos in the RecRoom just now. They may or may not be Theo's but if they are maybe he was constipated last night? I was feeding them a "Chicken, vegies & pasta" thing and neither seemed to like it much. Maybe he found something else to eat, but excessively.

He still hasn't barked ONCE this morning, so I know he's not well.

I'll be taking Theo on the 9:05 bus, but the vets doesn't open until 9:30 (it's a 7-10 minute trip) so I might go to the Library up the road first and return stuff down the chute. It would also be handy to buy some dog food at Coles across the road, but I suspect that would be fraught with problems, even if Theo was in the carrier (as he will be on the bus).

Theo seems mostly back to his old self. When I woke up this morning he licked me on the face. He seemed to enjoy the morning walk and had a good appetite - always a good sign. Have only heard him yap once so far though.

Dog Groom seems like "dry cleaning for pets". Theo gets driven away, and comes back much cleaner and neater! I do try and keep him neat, but the guy I use does it so much better.

A couple of days ago Theo was , well, not well. Wasn't sure what was wrong but he wasn't hungry and constantly needed patting and a hug. That night he slept right next to me.  In the morning I found he'd pooed on a mat which is unusual for him. I though maybe he had constipation from me feeding him cheese (not too much). Then this morning after the the walk Bobby had no appitite and was shivering and shaking. I hadn't seen him do a poo either, on the walk (though he tried).

I had him rugged up and on my lap for a couple of hours. I was going to catch the 9:05am  bus to the Uni and attend the 3 minute Thesis presentation that was one this morning. Missed that. I read a graphic novel with two dogs cuddled up to me. Then when I went into the other room for something, I found Bobby asleep on a pet bed in the sun. He wasn't shaking so I took a gamble.

I had to go out for food shopping so left Bobby sunning himself on the front sofa. All the time I was shopping I was worried I'd get home and find him dead. I got home and he was asleep on a pet bed in the studio. Seemed much better and had an appetite. Then I took the dogs for a walk but they were both huffing and puffing by the middle of it. Had to carry Theo for a bit - it's a "warm day" for Winter and he has a thick coat. They drank a lot when we got home, after navigating through a back alleyway with a few sheep.

Gah, I worry so much about my pets.

Tried to take the dogs for a bush walk. Cunning Theo wouldn't come out the back because it was wet and looked out the window of the studio to see what we were doing. I went back and collected him, and we eventually got going, and Xena followed us up a track for a bit..

And then it poured down with rain. We all went home and I think I saw Bobby and Theo playing together for the first time, prancing along in the wet grass and overlapping each other (in that "happy dog run" style). We got back in and I blow dried Theo dry. It was actually fun!

If I had doubts about having the dogs groomed, I no longer do.





An unexpected outcome is that both dogs have really noticed each other now!