Charlie’s 13th Birthday

9/12/09

Charlie turned 13 years old just a few days ago on 9/9/09!

A few days ago I bought him some special cookie treats and a Pig’s Ear for his birthday. I realize a pig’s ear may seem disgusting but Charlie loves them. Charlie’s top front teeth are not in very good shape so I think his days of chewing on really hard things, like pizzle chews, might be over. I still have to attend to his eyes a few times daily per dry eye syndrome. This will be a lifelong issue. There is an expensive surgery for this condition which can almost or totally cure it but I don’t have the money. The surgery reroutes a salivary gland to the eyes so the eyes can again have naturally produced lubricant. The procedure is called Parotid Duct Transposition.

Charlie has a few other minor health isues but overall, he is in remarkably good health. He is still able to jump up on the couch to be with me. Ideally, I don’t like him to jump but I can handle a jump or two a day up on the couch. I still take him for short walks. He is slow mostly because of his curiosity, his desire to want to smell everything, etc. His age slows him down too though and he does tend to tire quickly.

He is potty trained for indoors and this goes as well as possible. He has a Wizdog which is the best thing I know of in this regard. He still however has occasional near or complete misses. As the years have gone by, I have grown so tired of cleaning up messes but I do have the best setup possible I think. He hits the mark most of the time.

He is asleep behind me as I write this. He is laying on his blanket. He is still adorable and such a joy! I love him so much!

I will do my best to see that Charlie has as many other Birthdays as possible. My dream is for him to someday be twenty or more years old!








Other blog entries:


March 2010

March 2009

September 2008

May 2008