it's been a hard few days for me old girl - she's had really bad diarrhea since the weekend... extremely distressing for her - and for me!!! she's on the improve today, but it took a lot out of her - it was exhausting - she just couldn't settle - she just about wore grooves between the lounge and courtyard (but in true allie style she never lost her appetite once!!! although her diet changed radically to one of bland boiled rice - she'll be glad when that's finished!!!) luckily she drank heaps of water so didn't get dehydrated...

she's over the worst of it now though - which i'm thankful for because chronic diarrhea in an old dog can often signify a tumour - i was so relieved to see some improvement in her - a visit to the vet would just be sooooo very traumatic for her - so intrusive and invasive (and a tad freaky for the deaf and blind old babe)...

i'd never had reason to think about blind dogs with diarrhea before, nor the consequences of their inability to see where they're walking - until this week when reality stared me in the eye - by way of wee paw prints almost a translucent hue of mustard 'painted' on a canvas of carpet throughout the flat... my what a sight to behold... and then came the cleaning interspersed with dry-retching... what can i say - shit happens!!! (sorry, i couldn't resist!!!)

luckily i've been able to be home with her so she could have access to outside, and i could keep an eye on her 'artistic talents'... i'm one of those fortunate people who works with very empathetic, sympathetic and caring people who have been extremely generous in their understanding and offers of assistance should we have needed it...

anyway, things look like they'll be back to 'normal' tomorrow and i'll be back at work - ooooh, i am looking forward to friday - i'm off to the 'soft launch' of the state library's summer read - goddamn, i'm gonna miss the council end of year celebration - the one where there's never any food for the library folk by the time they arrive - especially if you happen to be a vegetarian... it was such a hard decision - the sacrifices we're forced to make...

feeling soooo old...

I tell ya, sleeping on a mattress on the floor these days is hard work... it's not as easy getting down that far, or up for that matter!!!! but at least when I sleep, I sleep more comfortably knowing me old girl hasn't got far to fall to the floor... I pretty much stayed awake at night before I dismantled the bed!!!!

I'm off for a couple of weeks now - I can spend some time with Allie and get to see what her quality of life is like now... she's still being cheeky - finding bones outside and trying to sneak them inside in her droopy old jowls!!! and having a wee dig in the garden... she's not as distressed now (nor am I!!!) and manages to find her way outside during the day... losing your sight (and not having sound to compensate) would be really freaky I would imagine... a really hard sense to learn to live without if you'd always had it...

anyway, here's some photos of 'the gang'...

I've been feeling really exhausted lately - mentally and physically - there's concern for me babe... and me mum (things to do on her 'illness front' next week)... work's been taking its toll on the mind and body - so much to do, so few who can 'perform all tasks', so those of us that can still 'do it all' (but for how long??? I have aches, pains and strains most of the time these days, and I'm pretty sure it's not all attributable to age!!!) - end up doing extra of the heavy shit and wear out quicker (I'm too old to wear out any quicker!!!!) - surely that proves we're understaffed - it at least means there needs to be a re-think about how 'incapacitated' workers duties are covered!!!

and of course there's still 'stuff' at home - the major impacting shit is the money... so now I'm going to do some recuperating myself... a bit of reading... maybe catch up with emails... have a choof... enjoy being with me gang and generally just relax.......