We have to put drops in Rita’s eyes about 3 p.m. We kept forgetting so I set my phone alarm for 3. The phone would play Bad Moon Rising every day at 3:00 p.m.
For years, we’ve said that Rita has an internal clock because right on the dot, at 11:00 a.m., she wants lunch. Vince always came home for lunch at 11 and she got in the habit of eating then. It’s easier to get up and feed her than try to get her to wait, which perpetuates her demand to eat at 11.
She’s learned that when the alarm on my phone goes off, she runs! I thought . . I’ll change the sound and maybe she won’t notice but she was ready and the minute the rooster crowed on my phone, it was “catch me if you can”.
Today we decided we’d just remember. I turned the alarm off. It was about two minutes after 3:00. She got up, looked towards me, kinda discreetly got down from the sofa and went and sat under the kitchen table.
We still haven’t had her eye surgery. I just can’t bring myself to do it but, the drops that go in her eyes are human Rx and seem to be in short supply. I can’t see taking drops from a human, to use on a dog, so we’ll probably go ahead and schedule the surgery before the drops we have here are gone. One of the reasons we put it off was because of the trip to MO and the doctor wasn’t available to do it until right before we were to leave. Now that our MO trip is off, I’m about to run out of excuses to have her surgery.
Nelle Coursey says
A very hard decision indeed.
Penny Holliday says
A very difficult decision but I can’t remember if there is the possibility that Rita is suffering/hurting. I would have surgery if at this point if Rita is suffering/hurting! Please note that I can’t even write the word because I have similar to your feelings about doing it. Also can’t even write “it” because I feel so bad for Rita & especially for you!
Judy Laquidara says
She is not hurting so long as we can control the pressure with the drops but one of her eyes is starting to dry out and we’re having to add a third drop to that eye. The doctor said it’s a matter of time before “it” has to happen but Rita is an older dog and it’s a bit risky because of potential bleeding issues so we keep putting it off. But without the drops, or if it means getting drops a human would otherwise be getting if they’re in short supply, we’ll have to have the surgery done.
Ethelann says
It is so hard to decide for our furry family. If the doctor says she is ok for surgery, then I would do it. From what I understand dogs don’t process a loss like we do. I think after the initial discomfort which they will control, she will feel better and not having the ordeal of drops and treatment will probably be good for her. She won’t know she looks different and you won’t care so it’s a good thing in the long run. Best wishes Rita.