getting old.....

[malta blue]

My beagle mix Luna is 15 years old. Amazingly, she tolerates my young rat terrier's high energy level with little complaint.

I got her in 1994 when she was rescued from people who beat and electocuted her. I have given her the best life I possibly could. She is my first dog ever. She slept with me until two years ago when jumping up on the bed became a little difficult. My bed is pretty high, even the rat terrier can't get up there herself. Luna now sleeps in a bed next to my side of the bed.

The last few snow/ice storms, she slipped all over outside - reminded me of the videos on the news of cattle in Nebraska and Oklahoma when there is an ice storm and they can't seem to get their footing. Thankfully, she is not that far gone but I have seen her back end slide out from under her quite often.

Recently, I noticed her a little grayer in the face, a little slower. She is getting old... she is losing weight too. I have not weighed her, but she had lost 4 pounds when we went to the vet in April of last year - I'm sure it is at least that since then, if not more. Her ribs are visible, and her spine is knobby along her back. I have been watching way too many of those "Animal Police" shows, because I am now convinced that the animal police would cite me for having an underweight dog.

Obviously, there is no way I would starve my dog. I have started feeding her more at each meal. I feel horrible.

I'm not sure why I am posting this. Perhaps it will help me come to terms with it all...