[Dailydrool] Timmy (ATB)

[Timmy & Beulah]

Hello Friends,
I haven't posted for just about forever, but do want to update everyone on 
Timmy, a/k/a Timmy Forever, a/k/a Psychodog.  We had to send him to The 
Bridge in September.  He had developed a condition known as mega-esophagus 
where his esophagus was all stretched out and had no more musculature to get 
food down into his stomach.  The vet prescribed a diet of what we called 
gruel (canned food mixed with water to give a soupy consistency), fed 3-4 
times a day, keeping him in a position where his head and shoulders were 
above his hind-end (gravity doing the work of the esophagus muscles), and 
keeping him in an upright position for 10-15 minutes after each meal.  This 
regimen worked for quite a while, and he actually outlived his prognosis by 
about a year, but around Labor Day he took a turn for the worse, refusing 
all food and not keeping down what little he was eating, so we both felt it 
was his time.  He was 12.

Old-timers on the Drool may remember what a challenge he was for us.  He had 
a bad case of separation anxiety when we first got him from rescue (Nov. 
1998), and destroyed two crates, escaping from both, even with a padlock on 
one.  He could and did jump up on tables and counters (all 4 paws!), knew 
how to open the fridge and freezer before we bungeed both shut, grabbed 
burners off of the stove top while turning one or more burners on as he 
jumped off, and the list just went on and on.  He was one of the first 
members of the OEBE.  But he loved us and we loved him, and about five years 
ago he did calm down quite a bit.

We are on the short Howliday Card list this year.  Timmy has been on our 
card every year since 1999--this year will be his last.  He was so "larger 
than life" that it feels like the end of an era.  We miss you, Old Friend.

Pat, Ron and Beulah