Today Rosie and I lost one of the best friends we ever had. Dozer had been having periodic seizures for the last seven or eight months. His first episode we found Rio and Molly violently attacking him. The Vet said that was common for other dogs to attack a sick member of their pack. Although we never had any scans, the Vet said the seizures may well have been the result of a brain tumor. We had him on medication to prevent the seizures that was required 3 times daily at 8 am, 4 pm and midnight.
The last month or so he started having more seizures despite having his medication. During his annual wellness check last Tuesday, the Vet said she was not going to give him his rabies and other shots because of his condition and the fact that he was over 15 years old; she felt they were not needed. She did mention that we should watch for any prolonged seizures (over five minutes) since they tend to appear towards the end of life.
This afternoon I went to the shop and thought I heard Molly whining as she rolled in the grass as she will occasionally do. When I looked her way I found her under the truck biting at Dozers rear leg. I got her off and found Dozer in a seizure. There was no sign of it letting up and I began timing it with my phone as I called the Vet. They normally work until 1:00 pm, Tuesday is their late day. Dr. Gaston was on duty and he said to bring him in immediately. Dozer weighs as much as I am old but with help from Rosie we got him in the back of her Suburban. By the time we got there he had been in seizure for over 30 minutes and we made the final, and painful, decision that it was time to give him peace.
On the way home, Rosie’s phone chimed. It was her 4:00 pm reminder to give dozer his seizure medication.
Dozer came to us as a two year old, unwanted dog. Today he left us as a fifteen year, 4 month old faithful and most wanted best friend.
Rest In Peace, Old Buddy! We have a special place in our hearts for you!
The last month or so he started having more seizures despite having his medication. During his annual wellness check last Tuesday, the Vet said she was not going to give him his rabies and other shots because of his condition and the fact that he was over 15 years old; she felt they were not needed. She did mention that we should watch for any prolonged seizures (over five minutes) since they tend to appear towards the end of life.
This afternoon I went to the shop and thought I heard Molly whining as she rolled in the grass as she will occasionally do. When I looked her way I found her under the truck biting at Dozers rear leg. I got her off and found Dozer in a seizure. There was no sign of it letting up and I began timing it with my phone as I called the Vet. They normally work until 1:00 pm, Tuesday is their late day. Dr. Gaston was on duty and he said to bring him in immediately. Dozer weighs as much as I am old but with help from Rosie we got him in the back of her Suburban. By the time we got there he had been in seizure for over 30 minutes and we made the final, and painful, decision that it was time to give him peace.
On the way home, Rosie’s phone chimed. It was her 4:00 pm reminder to give dozer his seizure medication.
Dozer came to us as a two year old, unwanted dog. Today he left us as a fifteen year, 4 month old faithful and most wanted best friend.
Rest In Peace, Old Buddy! We have a special place in our hearts for you!
