Chin Rest

I took this photo late yesterday afternoon just outside my office.  That's our old boy, Dillon, resting his chin on blind-and-deaf Blanca.  This still-growing Great Dane puppy is content to lay her big frame right next to another dog, even if it means half the bed space for each of them.  Dillon had been lying there peacefully when Blanca came over and plopped herself down.  Since she was clearly crowding him, he decided to make the best of the situation and use her as a chin rest.

Dillon, who is one of our original "Seattle six-pack" of dogs who moved out with us to Montana, is now a rickety 15-year old.  He increasingly struggles to walk, and he can no longer get up on his own.  He'll bark to let us know he needs help to get up.  He's also fecally incontinent and has been for most of this year.  If his backside looks a bit different, it's because we've clipped the hair there and on the underside of his tail.  This makes it easier to clean him up, which we need to do at least three times a day.

Watching him shuffle as he walks, and seeing him try to rise on his own but fail, there are days when we ask ourselves, "Is it time?"  But he still loves to eat, and at bed time, his eyes still sparkle when we give him his goodnight cookie.  And as stiff and awkward as the rest of his body is, he has an amazing knack for being able to catch a cookie in mid-air with his mouth.  That part of his body is working great!

Comments

[kara]

Sweet ~

[bregda]

My little girl is 9yrs old and also walking with increasing difficulty, especially when there is a cold spell. But I believe as long as they still have the sparkle in the eye and a happy attitude they are not ready to give up. They will tell us when it is time to go.
For a moment I thought it was a picture of beautiful Claude - Blanca is a beauty. What a special picture. Sunshine greetings from South Africa.

[Nina]

Great photo of two cuties! Looks like Dillon didn't skip a beat..if he has to share his space, it will be on his terms!!

[Harold]

great picture gives me hope for my 2 as they get older to be able to shuffle aroud like Dillon :)
my boy and girl is 8 for the boy and 9 for the girl :)

[danielle]

I think this must be a great dane thing. Our boy Payton will "share" Remy's bed with her whether she likes it or not. Here's an example: http://blog.lib.umn.edu/mahlu002/oneday/2007/05/a_tale_of_two_beds.html

Sometimes I'll wake up in the middle of the night to hear Remy's little grumbles of protest. When I investigate, more often than not, I find that Payton has plopped himself down virtually on top of her and she's too polite to yell at him.

Good luck with Dillon. I've always maintained that these kids will tell us when it is time, and until then, I'm happy to let them stay happy.

[Margaret]

What a sweet pair. Every day with an older dog is increasingly precious, especially to see that twinkle or wag of the tail, even if shaved. Dillon is clearly a treasue, and kind to share with Bianca- a growing beauty! She appears to be growing into her ears & paws. Wow. Hugs to Dillon, Biance and all at the RDR. Wishing you a more quiet week.

[ginger & Tobias (the greythound)]

It's great to see the young giving some comfort to the old. Dillon is making the best of the bed sharing situation, especially since he can't just get up & walk away. It sounds to me that Dillon still enjoys his life very much, & that is wonderful. He's adapted to many changes & he's a fine fellow.
Special hugs to him,
ginger & the critters

[Shirley & James, Portland, OR]

Day by day for Dillon who is finding comfort with the young one. It's so difficult to watch the age process of these precious, precious creatures.