I always wonder how many days I have with my little ol man. At 15 years old and with a string of problems, all of which are under control, I wake up every morning wondering if today is the day. Because no matter how many days it will be, it will never be enough. But then there are those days…
Anyone with a special needs dog knows all about those days. The days when either a milestone is reached, or they are just having a good day. Well today for me, it’s a good day! Mr. JoeJo started off his day like any other, stirring about in his crib so mommy (that’s me) wakes up to take him outside. I am happy that he has not lost all control of his bladder and will wait for me to pick him up and take him outside. Once outside he assumes the stance and does his little business. His little stance is spreading his back legs so he can tinkle. When he first arrived at my house on June 30, 2011, he was able to pick up his leg and pee like a normal male dog on a bush. Since his balance is not what it used to be, he assumes the stance now 🙂 So back inside we go and I place him on the couch where he will sleep anywhere from 1 to 2 hours more before breakfast is served.
Well today instead of falling back asleep he laid on the couch with his eyes wide open, just watching me as I tackle the internet to see what is happening on my favorite blogs & sites. Kinda creepy, but I thought ‘oh well’. In the meantime, all the other little ones are bouncing around wanting to go outside, so like any other time of the day I give in to their every whim. When I return into the living room there he is, off the couch and stuck between two pillows on the floor. I have removed the cushion on the couch and placed pillows on the floor so he can get off and roam around and not hurt himself on the way down. But today instead of rushing him outside again, I just let him sit there. He seemed to be content, watching me walk around, and do my morning thing. Then IT happened. He maneuvered off the pillows and headed down the hallway. I quietly followed him and noticed he was heading for the back door, at which point I picked him up to take him out. Once placed on the grass he did his little business again plus a little poo. Now I know that to some this isn’t a big thing, but for us it is. With his Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, he doesn’t have a lot of moments of clarity, but today he did. He remembered that to go potty you need to go outside, and he was on his way.
I have to say there is something special in having a special needs dog. The joy this little guy gives me is beyond words…