[Dailydrool] doggie dementia, thank you, and some observations

[Valerie]

thank you to all who have posted and written to me about doggie dementia. I plan to speak to our vet about Anapryl. (One interesting thing I have learned since yesterday is that there are two sound-alike drugs: Anapril and Anapryl-- one letter difference but used for different conditions with different effects. No wonder people get poisoned by accident in hospitals.) 

Since yesterday, I have been feeling quite a bit of relief, and realized this is for several reasons. One, my husband and I have no doubts about the diagnosis any longer. Over the past year we have brought up our suspicions to our vet several times (we like him and he is a good vet who has saved Bo on at least two occasions). the vet has always started laughing and said, "We'll, you know, that's Bo". Before becoming horrified at the response, you have to realize that Bo has always excelled in bassitude, with imperiousness, stubbornness, and intractability a basic feature of his personality. Before accepting a diagnosis of dementia ourselves, my otherwise perfect husband has frequently complained about accidents in the house and suggested that I have basically trained Bo to get up through the night by attending to him, and my inability to prevail in any contest of wills with Bo has been a source of conflict attributed to my inadequate dog training skills. I think I only stopped buying into this a few days ago when I returned home to find Bo sitting in the yard waiting for me (he often does tHis if I'm out)' but it was pouring rain and he was soaked to the bone. Had he moved about four feet to either side he could have been under a sheltered roof overhang.

Anyway, since Bill and I have accepted the diagnosis, Bill has become accepting of Bo's frailties. since I have started dressing Bo in a diaper suit except when out for walks, I have lightened up on my constant vigilance. and not "riding the mop" as Debbie puts it, is freeing me up more for my own work. there are less DH complaints about the house odor. Bill has suggested (only partly jesting) that I wear a belled ankle bracelet during the day and I am considering it. somehow I feel a lot less "caregiver" stress. so, given the circumstances, I think things are better. semper fido, all. As Bette Davis famously said, "Getting old is not for sissies". My husband and I are getting there too. Bo is leading the way. but no--not to the Bridge for a good while yet.