Am I My Brother’s Keeper?

Sage, that's what they call mountains over there. See?

Someone asked what my role is with Toby now.

First I have to set the stage with how it was when I was a young lass. He was my teacher. He was my rock. I was the pup that needed to learn…and did I ever! He taught me how to play. When I was introduced to something new, like an antler, he showed me it wasn’t something scary. He was (and still is) my cheerleader.

So, what about now? I’m the young adult taking care of an aging parent. I lick the bare spot on his leg. I lick his ears. I correct him when someone comes to the door and he barks. (Unfortunately, Mom says I haven’t gotten that quite right yet. Sometimes I bark too….)

The OP Pack asked how Toby was doing. Well, I think I’ll let him tell you. He’s still a pretty good story-teller.

Toby here: Where do I start? Oh, I remember! It’s quite a tale, beginning with the mites (that would be demodectic mange) a couple of years ago. It turned out my immune system was lousy because of my thyroid.  I kept losing weight and was getting pretty slim. I thought I was fitting into some pretty good skin! But it turned out I had something called Cushing’s Disease. That’s when I met a special vet who gave me magic powders to fight my dragons and Mom was given special powers to knight me Sir Pantsalot of the Round Bowl. 

That fight has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. The dragon lair had all these babies in there that started attacking me. And attacking me. My Cushing’s Disease turned into Addison’s Disease and I was given a new sword called prednisone. It’s worked pretty well, but it brought those darn mites back. My feet were itching like all get out.

A new dragon came into the fight..it was dubbed spinal myleopathy (kind of a weird name for a dragon, but what the hey). I think that’s the one that’s going to take me down. Some days it’s hard to get up the steps. I don’t go for long walks any more. But, the itchy mites are gone and I’m still getting around. It’s not easy getting old (I’m a tottering 12 1/2 now), that’s for sure and I’ve had my share of dragons to fight!

Well, that’s Toby’s story..at least the short version. And to answer my own question…yes, I’m now my brother’s keeper. Well, sorta.

So, what’s up with me? I’m growing moss. We are going to set an all time record for rainfall this month. Even the mud-puddles are no fun. But, I started Canine Good Citizens classes so that means some darn good treats coming my way! I make sure Toby gets his share too.