[2021-09-05] Freddie
Our old dog, Freddie, has lived 14.75 years. He's a large goldendoodle. Incredibly, despite his advanced age, he still weighs 100 pounds—a testament to his continued appetite.
Freddie has mobility issues: he has weak legs and hips, and sometimes his back end collapses. He breathes heavily if he walks any distance. He appears to have diminished hearing, which may be part deafness and part selective listening.
To make sure that he wasn't in pain, or more pain than a dog of his age should endure, Chris and I took him to the veterinary clinic this afternoon.
As we were waiting in the parking lot for our turn, a couple came out of the clinic carrying an empty pet porter. The woman looked downcast, and the man put his arm around her shoulders, caressing her back as they walked to their truck. Chris gave me a knowing look. It was sad.
When the clinic was finally ready for Freddie, the vet tech who came out to greet us said that she would take Freddie in, then come back to get us. This seemed odd since none of the other pet owners were being invited into the clinic and we had never been given this option before.
Because of COVID, all pets and owners wait outside for their turn. A vet tech comes out to collect the pet at the appointed time, leaving owners to wait outside. If the vet has questions while examining the animal, he communicates with the owners by phone. Even payments are settled outside the clinic at a table in front of the office entrance.
"I hope they don't think we're here to put our dog to sleep," I thought to myself.
When the vet tech returned, she clarified that only one of us could go in. Chris volunteered.
For the next 40 minutes, I sat in the car waiting for news, playing a puzzle game on my phone to keep my mind occupied. Thankfully, Chris kept me up to date by text. Blood test for Lyme disease. Freddie didn't like it. ... Waiting for test results then a prescription if needed. ... No Lyme disease. ... Almost done.
Before Chris' texts, I had prepared for the worst, hoping that the result of the visit would not be the same as that of the couple we had seen earlier.
When Chris and Freddie finally emerged, I got the news. Nothing serious, based on the vet's examination. Freddie is just old. While the vet said that he could do x-rays and other tests, he didn't think it was appropriate for a dog of Freddie's age. Chris and I agreed.
We left the vet's with new pain medication and relief that Freddie would live another day.
I've always loved the quote by philosopher Lucius Annaeus Seneca: "Life, if well lived, is long enough."
Freddie has lived a wonderful life. At the risk of humanizing him, I would go so far as to say that he has lived a long and happy life. I feel blessed that he has been part of our family for almost 15 years and grateful that we were able to bring him home this evening.
