Bosco

You would think that I would be prepared for Bosco's failing health, I really thought that I was. I mean he's 12 years old! He's a working German Shepherd, they don't normally work as long as he has, a 12 year old Shepherd is almost unheard of in police work.

Last night at K-9 training, my car was empty. It's so strange to ride around in my car without Bosco. On Sunday I noticed that Bosco was really stiff in his hind legs. By Monday he almost fell down the stairs. His hind end is so weak on wobbly. I took him to the vets on Monday morning. I had just come in from court so I was in uniform. People in the waiting room were saying "poor old dog". I mean I know he's old, but seeing him so weak and wobbly just kills me. By the time I saw the vet I couldn't take the waiting room comments any longer and broke down when the vet came in.

The vet said it could be many things causing the sudden down slide. Could be a tumor, disk problem or degenerative mylopothy. She said not to worry because we could do x-rays or an MRI to determine what's going on. I felt so cold hearted when I said that I probably would not want to put him under for either. What's the use. I'm not going to have him operated on, he has had a really good life, I don't want him going through surgery, I don't think that would be fair to him. She also mentioned getting him a cart. I think that would just be a selfish way to keep him around, I know he would not be happy with that quality of life.

The blood work came back today, its not cancer. I guess that's good, but he's actually doing worse today. On Saturday I am going to take him for acupuncture, I will try anything at this point if it means he's not in pain and helps his hind end problems.

I have started to think of how to deal with the kids when Bosco does finally die. I know how hard its going to be on Eric and I, I'm not sure how to explain the whole thing to them. Hopefully we have time to figure it out.

Bosco has been such a huge part of our lives, a partner at work for the last 10 years. Hopefully he improves over the next few days. Off to K-9 training I go with no dog tonight....