First, I want to thank you all for the kind comments. I managed to read through them this afternoon. I didn’t try to respond to each comment but your words mean a lot to me. You may have noticed that there were a couple of people who were razzing me weekly about not showing pictures of Rita or talking about her and she felt like we weren’t giving Rita enough attention. She was relentless. I stopped taking pictures of Rita after her eyes were removed – mainly because I wouldn’t want someone taking pictures of me if I had no eyes. Also, she didn’t do anything. She stayed in her little area, didn’t want to be held, didn’t want to play outside. Not only was she blind but she was an old dog. I don’t share as many pictures of Oscar as I once did. He’s almost 2-1/2 years old and he doesn’t do nearly as much crazy stuff as he once did. Does anyone want to see a picture of Oscar sleeping on my lap while I’m stitching . . every day? OK . . I’ll do it! Not really. Cooper does funny things now so he still gets a lot of pictures. I think it’s cute when Oscar and Cooper are all snuggled up in the evenings and I sometimes share those. I should share them trying to kill each other (playing) for about 90% of the time they’re awake.
Anyway, I’ve hesitated to even mention Rita because I didn’t want to get any those fired up who thought I was neglecting her. To all of you who post nice comments, thank you. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me 100% of the time but even if you feel like you need to disagree or correct me, I appreciate your thoughts and I appreciate your kindness.
But . . the clock . . Rita had an amazing sense of time. She woke up every single morning about 5:30. Since she was blind, it had nothing to do with daylight or darkness. She woke up at 5:30 in December, in June and every other day. As sweet as she was, she was demanding. When she woke up, she was ready to eat right that instant.
I feed Oscar and Cooper twice a day but Vince insisted that Rita was so tiny, she should eat three times a day so we fed her when she woke up, again at 11 a.m. and again at 5 p.m. She was rarely more than 1 or 2 minutes off from 11 and 5 and she was vocal. Today I was sitting stitching and realized it was 5:30 and had no reminder that it was 5:00. Cooper and Oscar didn’t seem to notice but now I have to depend on myself to feed the dogs at (or near) 5:00 p.m. Of all the things I thought I would miss about Rita, one of them wasn’t her internal alarm clock.
Nelle Coursey says
There will be others as time goes on. You are all in my prayers. This is the hardest time in life for parents of fur babies.
Amy Kollasch says
I have an old dog. She is a retired breeder dog. I didn’t realize what I was getting myself into when I agreed to take her. I would do it again, don’t get me wrong. It took me a month to get her to not want to be in her crate all of the time (with the door open). Then I brought our pregnant farm cat in to let her have her babies safe. She chose to be in the basement, so the dog decided she needed to be down there with her and needed her crate too. So I bought another crate for the basement. It’s been about a year now since the cat went back outside and my dog refuses to come out of the basement. I carry her upstairs and she runs right back downstairs. I give up. She is old and has decided that is where she wants to be. I am letting her be there. Don’t care what anyone has to say about it. She is happy.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
That is too funny. Sometimes you just have to give up and let them do what they want to do. Cooper refuses to sleep under a sheet or blanket and we keep our house cold at night. Most nights in the winter, it’s about 58 degrees in here. All of my dachshunds have always wrapped themselves up in a blanket or sheet. Not Cooper. I cover him up and the next time I look at him, he’s on top of the covers. I tell myself he’ll get under the sheet if he gets cold.
Diana says
ITs so hard to lose a beloved pet. I think you all did a great job with her and your current puppers as well. Those who are negative are just that negative.
Becky says
It astounds me that anyone reading your blog would ever think you’d neglect one of your precious pets. In the midst of your grief, I hope you can remember that you gave Rita her best life and allowed her to live it on her terms. I wish all animals were so blessed. Take care.
Amy says
I understand why you wouldn’t post a picture of her. I was one that asked to see a picture but meant in the purest of intentions. I love to see your doggos. I did not know that she was blind. My son adopted a dog that was born blind. She is amazing. Some things we need to keep to ourselves and even though you blog, it’s really none of our business if you post photos or not. Sounds like you gave Rita the best life possible. I know you will miss her. I am sending thoughts and tenderness your way.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
I didn’t see your request. I will post pictures this afternoon.
Dotti in CT says
Sincere sympathy for losing a pet. When people comment” it’s only a —-, they have never loved an animal. They enter your home and your heart. I commend you for taking such good care of Rita. Though finicky, she still knew she was loved. Vince and you have hearts of gold.
ginnyclyne says
I have a senior Miniature Schnauzer, he will be 14 in September, he gets me up to have his breakfast at 6:30 every morning no matter what time of the year it is and he wants his dinner at 5:30. He has limited hearing and vision, but his sense of smell is still excellent. I understand the clock reference. I deal with puppy pads during the day if we go out but he can go each night from 10:30 t0 6:30. Stairs are hard for him, but I carry him when his hip is bothering him. You just do what is necessary when you love your pet.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Yes, we do. We love them and losing them is so hard.