Aging sucks. Here they are – my boys in full flight the way they used to tear around all the time. Sadly, my dog can’t run like that anymore.
In the days of boundless energy - five years ago
When Toby used to fly
Since I loved the fact that my dog had a pal, I was the one who regularly took the boys for walks. That is, I walked, they flew.
Our arrangement – me having a key to my neighbor’s house so I could grab Buddy any time I wanted – was a lovely one. And in a way, it’s going to continue. Buddy’s folks Andrea and Mark share him with Andrea’s mother, Rose, and Rose lives just down the road. And today Rose gave keys to her house.
So why is it the end of an era? Well, Toby’s knees are shot. In the spring he went lame in his right knee – it was a torn cruciate ligament. We hoped that it might heal if we limited his activity, but when it was no better by the end of June, we opted for the only treatment the vet had to offer, knee surgery.
Toby in June - Photo: David Rees
Toby’s operation went extremely well, and I was thrilled with his recovery, but a week and a half ago, he tore his left knee ligament. Three deer came out of the corn field next to our property, and he chased them. I shouldn’t have had him off-lead, but then I didn’t expect to see deer so close to the house.
Immediately afterwards, Toby was hobbling on three legs. It was a torn ligament, and we decided to go ahead with another knee surgery right away. There seemed to be no point to postponing the inevitable. He came home yesterday, and I’ve traded head gardener duties (thank you, November) for dog nursing, dispensing meds, massages, ice packs and comfort. The critical tissue and bone mending time lasts four weeks, and the full recovery period is three months.
Toby has always had weak joints. Even when he was young, he would go lame but he always recovered within a few days, but time has not been kind to his knees. If his second knee recovers as well as his first one did, he will be able to trot again, and probably even run. But the days of tearing around off-lead with Buddy and chasing deer are over. Yes, indeed, aging sucks. Big time.
March 2010 – Four months later:
Well what do you know? One can’t see the future, and I felt pretty bad when Toby needed to have his second knee surgery. We’re coming on spring and Toby and Buddy are running together again. Toby’s recovery from his second knee surgery was picture perfect.
And Buddy now lives down the road full-time with Rose, and I have the key to her house, so I can pick him up any time I want to. Both dogs are happy, and I’m thrilled that Toby is so well again. Of course he’s still aging: he turned nine in February, but he actually looks younger, and he still thoroughly enjoys life.
Thanks to Dr. Krista Halling and Dr. Anne Sylvestre and the staff at the Mississauga Oakville Veterinary Emergency Hospital and Referral Group.
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{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh sweet Toby! Take good care of him Yvonne! My poor Ole has a hard time getting around too…and actually I’m having some kind of foot issue that I should look into. Yes we get old…but it sure is nice having someone to nurse us back to health. Our dogs love us so very much…it feels good to repay them! Give Toby and Buddy a pet from me!
Thanks, Eve. Take care of that foot.
Ohh, poor Toby. Yes, aging sucks when you can’t really do something you desperately want to do. Hope his leg heals like the other one. Maybe the timing is good, with the cold weather coming on?
Hi Sarah: I’m sure we will manage, but he has no fur on the affected leg and hip because they clipped it all off for the surgery. He’ll be cold, but fortunately, there is time for some fur to grow back before the bitterly cold months.
Here’s to a quick and complete recovery, Toby. You’re a sweet dog and your “mom’s” faithful companion on the “trails”.
Yvonne, I have to check with my sister-in-law about that “walk-and-wine-tasting-hike that we talked about. You just reminded me of that.
Lene
Thanks, Lene. Nice thought, but I don’t think I can go anywhere for awhile, as I need to be with Toby and I can’t leave him for too long.
Of course – how did I not realize that? It would be nice in the spring too.
Indeed, let’s aim for spring or summer. That will be fun.
Hi Yvonne – I hope Toby’s leg recovers to the point he can get around. My beloved rescued greyhound, Dusty (age 12-1/2), is having problems also. He had pneumonia, and if he gets excited or exerts himself (i.e. going for a walk) he becomes short of breath. Also, his hips are getting weak. He can’t go for his much-looked-forward-to walks any longer, but he doesn’t understand. When his walk time comes around, his built-in clock tells him he’s missing something, and he gets quite upset until we can distract him. I know that Toby is in good hands with you taking care of him. I wish him and you the best.
Hi Kathy: Great to hear from you. Your poor dog! Yet, another confirmation that aging is cruel. It’s so hard for them to understand why they can’t do what they used to love doing. So far, so good with Toby. He’s in remarkably good spirits, in spite of everything.