30 July 2010

Pawly

Snoopy is poorly or pawly to be precise. It started yesterday when (the world fell out of his bottom) the bottom of his world fell out, if you get my drift. After several hours of pure runny brown liquid ejecting from his rear end, I decided not to let him sleep in my bedroom, as is his wont (I have beige carpets - enough said), but to settle him down on the kitchen tile floor. I slept near him all night on the floor too. How's that for (stupidity) total dedication?

By this morning, he was still producing enough brown liquid to sink the Titanic let alone the bed he was sleeping on and was now unable to use his back legs to support himself. He just lay in his mess too weak to roll over. I rang the vet and we were in the surgery by 8am. The vet's verdict was that Snoopy was very dehydrated and needed painkillers to ease his gut and antibiotics as a precaution. We were instructed to try to get him to drink fluids - not easy when a dog does not want to drink. On getting home, Snoopy did not want to leave the car and could not use his legs at all. So Kay and I had to carry him out into the house on a makeshift stretcher made from a blanket. As the day progressed the antibiotics and painkillers made some difference, but he was still passing copious amounts of brown liquid all over every fresh bit of bedding I could muster. Our washing machine was working flat out and as soon as I had hung one load up, I was washing/disinfecting another, not to mention floors carpets and all. I was exhausted! The vet had told me to ring him back at 4pm to see how he was doing and, when I told him he was still reluctant to use his legs, he told me to bring him in again.

Kay I managed to get him into the car, but when we arrived at the vet's, we could not get him out of the car. He had no strength to stand up. Again Kay and I resorted to the blanket to carry him out, taking two corners each. We struggled to manoevre him out of the car and onto the pavement and, as I slammed the car door shut, I realised a split-second later that I had locked my car keys and handbag inside!! Not only that, but I had parked on double yellow lines. To add insult to injury, Snoopy took one look at our pathetic situation and strolled nonchalently from the confines of the blanket to the surgery. It was rapidly turning into a farce. With no time to dally, we decided to get Snoopy inside and deal with the car later.

To cut a very long story short, the vet has kept Snoopy in overnight to put on a drip to replace lost fluids. Snoopy hates to be parted from me so the vet will sedate him too. I think I'll need some sedation too after a day like today. The Automobile Association came to the rescue and got my car unlocked again (I have a spare car key - in the house - but my house keys were .... inside the car in my bag and Kay had not brought hers.) My neighbour has my spare house keys - but they are away on holiday! A lesson is to be learned from all this and I think it is that I shall leave a spare set of house and car keys with a local friend who never goes away anywhere.

We await to see how Snoopy will be in the morning, but it is all very worrying as Kay and I have been invited to Greg's aunt's 90th birthday party which is being held in Northumberland (north of Newcastle) on Monday and we are travelling up by train early on Sunday morning. All Greg's wider family will be there and we have been arranging it for months. I had organised for someone to dog-sit Snoopy in the house for three days, while we are away. So you can imagine how I am panicking, if he does not make a full recovery by tomorrow, I shall not want to leave him, yet I do not want to miss the party either. I shall definitely need that sedation tonight. A nice bottle of wine would not go amiss, methinks.

14 comments:

Ellen said...

Poor Snoopy, poor you and what a dilemma! I hope Snoopy recovers quickly. Of course you want to go to the party and naturally you don't want to leave poor Snoopy. Northumberland is quite a hike, but you could be home within a few short hours if needs be. Best to see how things pan out and do what your instinct tells you.

DogLover said...

I don't envy Snoopy's dog-sitter if he hasn't completely recovered!

I also once spent the night on the floor with a dog who had apparently had a stroke and would accompany me to the vet the next morning to be put to sleep. When I woke up she was nowhere to be seen. I found her playing with her companion, totally fit and restored to health!

Dogs so often recover from illness in double-quick time, so I do hope Snoopy will soon be fine.

Kit Courteney said...

Oh, poor Snoopy! I've had very similar 'out-pourings' to deal with from Eric several times in the last couple of years... very unpleasant!

Still, he's in the best place, so best wishes to him (and to you!) for a speedy recovery :0)

Eliza said...

Oh poor Snopy, I hope he gets better soon.

laurie said...

poor baby. this happened to boscoe some years ago. i had to confine him to the kitchen (wooden floor, no rugs) for days. eventually the vet prescribed an antibiotic that stops diarrhea, and that worked. i hope they figure things out for poor snoopy. what an ordeal for you both.

Manchester Lass, Now and Then said...

Get well soon poor Snoopy♥ Hope are able to attend the party Addy. A few days can make a huge difference. Linda xx

Flowerpot said...

oh you poor things - what a terrible dilemma. Do hope the vet manages to sort him so that the dog sitter can cope. Fingers crossed.xx

Working Mum said...

I've always thought that dogs are more trouble than children! Hope Snoopy gets better really soon and that you still get to your party. Fingers crossed!

Nota Bene said...

Oh...poor, poor Snoopy...hopefully he's feeling better, and you've got to the party...I think sleeping with Snoopy is REAL dedication....well done

Eliza said...

Any news on Snoopy?

John Going Gently said...

I have come across your blog by accident
you write very well
best wishes from wales

Furtheron said...

I hope Snoopy is better and you got away to your family gathering.

Anonymous said...

Poor little beggar, you have been very dedicated to looking after him, I'm not surprised he doesn't like to leave you.

Northumberland eh? It's a bit downcast up here right now but still quite warm.

Hope things are starting to improve now.

CJ xx

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

Poor little Snoopy and what a worry for you Addie and Kay. So pleased he is recovering and how fortunate that you were still at home to deal with the trauma. (I once slept on the floor next to a very sick puss cat - so I do know your concern). A x