Man, what I couldn't do with 3 asses right now.

I think cats and dogs undergo a lot of soul transmigration. My girlfriend has a cat who is very much a dog at heart, and my brother's mother-in-law has a dog who may as well be a cat. :)

I lucked out in the allergen department with regards to cats, they don't bother me at all in spite of my horrific allergy to pollen. Perhaps working around rats in my teens helped inoculate me to a degree, at least against animal dander. Cat saliva is the real allergen in their case, and thankfully I'm non-reactive to that.

Glad to hear the pup is off to a good start today!
Rescues from those shows that occur south of the border? :/

It IS a show from TJ mexico.

Sorry to hear about your dog, Momo. *hugs* I never know what to say in cases like this, only that I really understand you, as I've shared my life with animal companions since I was a child. I rescued my current, gorgeous female cat from the streets ten years ago (she was about nine months old at the time) and I'll face the same situation sooner or later... Focus yourself in the love you both have given to your dog, he has lived a wonderful life thanks to you both, that's what counts.

There's a beautiful poem by Emily Dickinson, which has helped me in the past:

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.

Best wishes for you and your fainting robin, Momo.

They were born and bred to be pets so unfortunately we have not rescued anyone or anything. In fact we bought them when they were just one day old but it takes six months or so of weening until we can get them. They will be happy; this mini-barn we are building them is gorgeous.

Thanks for the laughs, guys ;-D

~now back to acting like jac...oh wait, guys ;-p~

I've never had an ass in a barn, are they good there?

This scenario is either adorable or disturbing. Possibly both, in the style of 1970s children's television programs.

I bet they are cute as the dickens though! Photos when you get them safely ensconced, please.

I'm sorry to hear that Momo. But it's good to know, that your dog had so much luck living a happy life after a bad start.

Aw I'm sorry to hear about your dog. The post struck a chord with me in some places as we also got a dog unexpectedly around a decade ago now, and as annoying as I have sometimes found him, it was only after he went through a period of ill health that I realized how much he'd actually ingrained himself as a member of our family.

It sounds like your dog has had an amazing life since he ended up with your family, best wishes whatever happens.

What scares me the most about having a dog get old like that, often they don't tell you their in pain, because of their loyalty to you, they try to soldier on.

All you can really do is make sure you have a good vet and get them checked more regularly, and just keep in mind it is not necessarily the best thing to just wait for them to die naturally.

*silently hands Momo a flower*

Yes. We are watching him closely for signs of pain - it is the last thing we want to do - inflict needless pain on our beloved creature. With end of life care for humans, there is plenty of palliative care that includes pain management and well for at least several beloved family members I believe this care includes the ability to self-medicate...I won't say more.

But he has been eating Cheerios and even the rib meat of two ribs tonight, digestive system is still functional and he does not appear to be in pain so....we'll see tomorrow. For now he's getting as much love and attention as we can shower upon him. But any sign of pain and deterioration - well we'll be taking him to the vet. Yeah, neither of us believes in allowing him to suffer - for now the signs indicate that he's still got another day - and we'll be taking it as that -day by day...
~small tears...why does this have to be so painful?~

Thanks for the message Momo! Losing a member of the family is never easy. I hope there are many good days ahead.