Three weeks ago, I hadn't cried as hard as I did in a long time. We decided that it was time for Scoobie to be put down. At 14 years old, she had hip dysplacia, incontinence, cataracts, loss of hearing, and was in pain. She began to stumble and looked like she had a stroke. She looked paralyzed and had stopped eating. Even when we tried to force a little bit of food in her, she wouldn't take it. We first noticed this on Sunday. We began observing her Monday and then Nick called and said that it was time. He didn't want her to suffer and asked that I take her in to the vet to be put to sleep. I asked him to think about it and to make sure that this should be done. He said she was old, didn't look well, and wasn't eating. We made an appointment on Tuesday. That day, I left worked early and on my way home, I was thinking about Scoobie and I couldn't help but cry over her. I had known her for almost 10 years. She was our first baby. She was always so loving and protective. She loved Nikki and was gentle with her even when Nikki tugged at her tail and poked her eyes.
When I finally got home that day, I went to Scoobie and said my farewells. I took my camera and took my last photos of her. I sat there with her, petting her and gave her some cookies, which she ate. I looked at her more closely and she began to run towards the yard and when she came running back to me, I thought, "Wait a minute, she looks pretty good." What happened? Her head was still tilted to the side, she still kind of stumbled but she didn't look as bad as she did a few days ago. She was taking food from me and was walking around. Soon after, Nick texted me, "Kiss Scoobie goodbye for me." I texted him back "She's eating" and then I called him, sobbing and telling him that Scoobie appears to be okey. I didn't know what to do. We decided to call the vet and ask that she be checked out before we do anything else.
I put Scoobie in my car and we went for a ride. She perked up and looked around and stuck her nose out the window. She has always loved car rides. We got to the vet and she was checked out. The vet was very gentle with her. After he completed his examination, he said that Scoobie is having problems maintaining her equilibrium and is dizzy. It seemed Scoobie had an ear infection that was causing effects similar to vertigo. So it was just an ear infection? Well, not to take it too lightly, Scoobie had to be sedated in order for the doctor to clear out the waxy buildup inside her ears and he can check out her ear drum and ear canal more closely. I had to leave Scoobie at the animal hospital over night for her procedure. The doctor said that that appeared to be the main cause of her dizziness, ill-feeling, and no appetite. Oh my gosh, what a relief? That whole time we thought Scoobie was a goner....it was just ear wax! :)
I picked up Scoobie the following day. I had called earlier and asked that Scoobie be groomed. When I got there and I saw her, she looked beautiful. Her coat was shiny and she looked very sweet. She still wasn't feeling well, but was on track to recovery. We left, with antibiotics in hand, and headed home. Scoobie was welcomed home by the family and we now have a better appreciation of her.
