RIP, Boris

I wrote several posts in January but didn't want to put them up all at once and overload the system, so I saved the Boris post for about 3 weeks. I didn't realize when I wrote it just how little time we had left together, even though I described his weight loss and obvious weakening system. This week a very cold system moved in and we were back to single digit temperatures. Knowing he would not do well locked in the shop or scale house, we let him be in the house overnight on Thursday. When the sun came out and temps rose over 20 F the next day, he was more than willing to go back outside. I thought we'd repeat that one more night and then maybe the temperatures would be back to where he could tolerate being outside again. We don't do "house dogs," but I also didn't want him to freeze to death out there!

Friday evening while making dinner I looked out the window to see Boris trying to walk across the yard. Be it the cold weather or a pinched nerve in his back or hip, or just his aged condition, he could only muster 3-4 steps before falling and resting up to try it again. It was so sad. His left leg/hip just could not support him. So I thought it was time for him to come in to warm up. He made it over to the back steps but his rear legs wouldn't support him enough to climb them. While I assembled a little ramp from an old picnic table top, he forgot himself and joined Omar in a run across the yard to "bark out" Kit as he left for the evening. Where that burst came from, I don't know, but once he finished running over there he couldn't make it back to the ramp and stopped trying after several attempts. I knew that his time had come and we had a good cry together before I asked Lou to help me get him inside. He was able to walk 4-5 feet from where we set him down but did not move from that spot for the entire night and most of Saturday.

Saturday morning I called the vet and we made an appointment for the afternoon, even though her office is closed on Saturdays. Boris was able to drink water but had vomited what he'd eaten the night before, so that was another clear sign that confirmed the decision. I spent most of the day sitting with him and he slept a lot -- such soft fur. :o) Tanya (the vet) came out to the van so we didn't have to move him in and out of an unfamiliar office. It was very easy on him.

We've only had to bury 1 dog before Boris -- our first one, Gus, not too many years after we moved here. The others had an accident of some sort (run over, drowned, disappeared in the night) and never made it to their full life span. It is hard, but it is better in many ways too, to have a dog for all of his years. Boris and Gus are both buried out in the farm field at 'circle one.' Omar is boss dog now. He is 10 years old but not showing it much at all yet.

Rest in Peace, Boris. You were a most excellent friend for every one of your 13 years.