Rags

R.I.P. 1987-2004

Has this ever happened to you? You generously agree to dog sit your mother's geriatric Lhasa Apso for a week or two while she goes in to have routine surgery to remove a 20lb tumor and kidney, spleen, part of her pancreas, stomach, blah blah blah. But then, just to spite you, she gets a raging infection, crumbles a vertebrae, becomes bed bound, has 3 more major surgeries and is stuck in the hospital for 9+ months while you have to take care of the dog? How rude. Did I mention this dog smells horrific, can barely walk, loves to pee in the house and is supposedly on his last legs? People tell you that the kind thing to do is put the dog down but you know your poor mother misses this dog and you would not do that to her. So, your husband who HATES this dog with a passion, decides that as long his MIL is on her luxurious hospital vacay, he should train the dog, walk him and teach him discipline. And then suddenly, the dog starts acting younger, gets to go with you on vacations to the cabin and even on a boat ride with Dr. Ho, all while still smelling terrible and peeing on everything. You realize that perhaps this would have all been over if you just left him alone, cut out the exercise and attention? And then your mother has more surgery, chemo, infections and what not, but thankfully makes it through rehab, staying with relatives and then finally back on her own. Finally, after 2.5 YEARS, she is ready to take the dog back (actually,you buy a new house and tell her she has to take him back or else). And then you give him back, younger than ever, and he basically dies like 3 months later. True story.