Craig and I just passed the dogs over to their “other parents”, the Foxworthy’s. It is a little stressful leaving Zak due to his condition, but Debbie and Jim love the dogs as much as we do. They will play with them and love them at least as much as we would. I just hope he does not get really bad during our absence.
Zak was very playful with Sally last night. He would lie down and let her trample and bit him. After having enough would stand up and wrap his entire jaw around her neck, but of course not bit or hurt her. They he would egg her on to wrestle with him some more. They were fun to watch.
This morning, Zak got into the shower! He has not done this for some time, but it used to be anytime he heard the shower come on he would practically mow you down to get in. Debbie reported that he has diarrhea today and is hungry all the time. Before I left this morning I checked his lymph nodes and they were swollen around his neck. They felt like marbles. Zak was not happy that we were leaving and refused to give kisses. I’m sure all was forgiven when Debbie showed up about an hour later.
Debbie had a horseback riding accident several months ago and Zak really looked out after her. Following is a note from Debbie – we were ALL amazed at the compassion Zak showed. Debbie’s story follows:
Nurse Zak. I had an accident – fell and hit my cheek on a pipe fence and broke the bone. Not a devastating accident by any means, but any trauma to the face can make it look like you just hit the wall at Indy. The shock and the meds made me feel nauseated, so when we finally left the emergency room I really didn’t think I could handle the ride all the way home. After some encouragement from Karen, we went to their house so I could recuperate for a bit.
Because of the way Zak normally greets everyone, Craig put Zak on a leash so that he could control him while I settled onto the couch. Zak kept looking at me, curious about me, but he stayed near Craig. After a half hour or so, I asked Craig to let Zak come over to see me. He carefully brought Zak to me, prepared to grab him if he got exuberant. Zak sniffed me, looked straight up into my face, and then very, very gently climbed up on the couch next to me and settled in, curling up with his head on my lap. He’d look up at my face every now and then and just snuggle a bit closer. He was clearly worried about me and was taking care of me the only way he knew how. Who would have ever expected that level of compassion and caring from an animal? I felt so loved and so cared for. It was an experience I’ll never forget.
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