My Blind Canine Child

I am learning some tough lessons in my old age. My Piper schnauzer has lost her eyesight to cataracts caused by the diabetes she has. It is very difficult to watch her try to make her way around the house and yard bumping into things that are right in front of her. I can only imagine how frustrating that is for her and how depressing. It upsets me beyond anything words can express. In fact, it tears my heart out to watch what is happening. I seemed to notice the cataracts early last week and they seemed to grow over night and then balloon into full-grown. Last week she had difficulty seeing and by this week she is bumping into everything right in front of her face. She is not to be deterred though as she just backs up and feels her way around the object and moves on. I hope her little spirit continues to prevail over this evil blindness.

I don't know what the future holds in this situation. I will continue to do my best with her. It has been so difficult to get the diabetes regulated -- we still are having trouble because she does not like to eat many things. I never know whether she will eat a food or not. I just keep trying different things. I would hate the think how much I waste trying to get her to eat. With doggies they must eat prior to getting insulin injections so that you can be certain they will eat. Some days it is a vicious circle.

How will we deal with the blindness?? I just don't know. I do not know whether my depleted budget can afford the luxury of eye surgery. I have spent so much of my savings already with this disease. Actually if only one cataract is removed she would be able to see. That would be wonderful. Perhaps I could take up offerings on a street corner to help defray the cost. (Of course, I am kidding.) OR perhaps I need to get a part-time job!! However, that is something I will need to work out.

At this point I am just incredibly sad and upset with all of this. I never fathomed these experiences would be mine when I became a dog owner.

Thanksgiving or Thanks Giving

Admittedly I am OLD, not quite as old as Methuslah but old, nevertheless! When I was younger sort of like very young, I remember a day when Thanksgiving (at least where we lived) didn't seem to be the BIG holiday it is made out to be now. Do you suppose as the years have gone along it has somehow become a truly embellished family holiday as in, 'Over the River and through the woods'!! I am thinking so.

And now I am seeing on a social network, ads, I guess that is what you call those thingies, of folks pledging not to shop on Thanksgiving Day -- alleging that they plan to spend time with family. Now I think that is all good and wunnerful ceptin' one part -- you and I both know that those guys will eat their bellies full and then park in front of the TV the rest of the day monopolizing the big screen with a football game of some sort. Don't know about you but I can see how that would drive the ladies out of the house to shop draggin' their full tummies along with them! Now, there is that! I said it!

While I do believe that we definitely need a full day of giving thanks, I think it should be more often than once a year. I agree that Thanksgiving Day is a good thing. But living in a country that permits acting on one's God-given free agency I believe the ladies can go shopping if they want --- and just maybe those folks working in the stores on Thanksgiving Day are grateful to get the work (to pay for their turkey) being as they live in a country where politicians can shut down the gov-mint when ever they take a notion!! Sorry folks, if you don't like my bloggin' -- it is what it is -- worthless!

Anger at Canine Diabetes

Have you ever been really angry over something for which you have absolutely no control? I feel sorta that way today. I know I can't control canine diabetes nor the fact that my mini schnauzer, Piper, has been afflicted with this horrible disease. However, that does not keep from being really angry and wanting to punch something in retaliation. Last evening I was working with Piper only to realize that the cataract forming in her eye has filled the front At first I was just upset, really, really upset. Then I became just plain angry that these things happen -- so I did some research on exactly why diabetes causes this to happen. While it did not change my angry feelings the deeper understanding of what about the disease actually causes this to happen did help to allay the actual bitterness.

I know that I am not the first schnauzer owner to have these feelings. It is as difficult as it would be if she were my child. Diabetes is difficult. It causes side effects making it difficult to cope at times. Often Piper does not want to eat. Prior to diabetes Piper had no problems eating. Some days I search and search trying to find something to feed her that she can eat ---low in fat and low in carbs. She tires quickly of most things or seems to. If we could really communicate she would probably tell me she just doesn't have much appetite. So...I try not to be offended and continue rattling around trying to find the things she can and will eat. I worry about her and I know that I can not give her the insulin she needs until she has eaten food. Doggies have TYPE 1 Diabetes which means the pancreas isn't producing insulin, thus it must be supplied by shot and syringe.
Schnauzers have a predisposition to diabetes. Some would say - I should not complain that I knew this before falling in love with Piper and bringing her into my family. But that isn't necessarily true any more than I knew that my Sassy Jane schnauzer before her was predisposed to having those horrible bladder stones that she had. And I certainly didn't expect her to have a brachial plexis tumor (cancer) which would take her life.

So today, in all of confessed "human-ness" I am feeling angry about the "situation" over which I have no control. Just wasting my energy, huh? But what would you do?

Just Stuff - An Old One's Views

Have you about had it up to the ying-yang with politics ---the so-called closing down of the federal government and the inability of politicians to settle their differences?? Not only have I had enough of that part but I am worn out with reading anti-president posts by Tea Party supporters on social networks. In my opinion,(as if it matters) it is one thing to be opposed but it is another to keep throwing your attitude into the faces of others. We get it with the first posting. No need to put at least twenty-five up there each day.

My other issue today is another one of those things over which I have no control; thus I should not lament so often. The weather this week has been really dark, wet, chilly and depressing. We have had those kind of days that make me want to hide. It gets dark really early -- tonight by 6:45 pm and makes me think it is time to go to bed or curl up some where or just go to bed. I do hope tomorrow brings better weather and as the girls and I head to the coast the weather might return to some degree of what is more normal for our area at this time of the year. The State Fair begins next week and hopefully there will be sunny days for all to enjoy as they attend the fair. How-some-ever, it is not unusual for us to have wet weather or even chilly temperatures near the time of the State Fair.

While I am in the mood to complain and gripe I might as well take a swipe at Miley. I am rather tired of hearing her bellowing that song that sounds like "I come in like a rolling stone...." -- she is almost measuring up there with my other least favorite Miss TS !! Her heavily coated tongue is always hanging out and that hair-do style from outer space along with her defending her choices and behavior. Deliver us all, please from being a captive audience to such nonsense.

If I think of anything more to gripe about I will be back!!