Oscar turned 7 on March 23rd. I enjoy teasing him about becoming an old man and needing to eat "Senior" food now (yes, I tease the dog), but I'm masking a fear... in my family our dogs don't last that long. Peggy stayed with us until I was 9 (the parental units got her as a puppy before I arrived), Buster joined us (at the age of 2) when I was in 5th grade and stuck around all the way until my freshman year of college, and Oscar moved in that Spring. I love dogs; I can't imagine life without one, but each time a pet moves on I become this blubbering mess of emotional idiocracy that I can't believe I'd ever want to put myself through the loss again. That said I know I'll always be a dog owner.
Anyhow, to get to the point, on Monday we noticed that the pupster has a large bump with open sore? on it on his back left leg (around the knee). We remember seeing him have a scratch, and it's likely that it just got infected and gross, but I can't help but worry that it's truly something serious. He doesn't act sick - he acts like a puppy, running, jumping, generally being a 65 lb. lapdog - which is why it's so hard for me to think of him as an older dog. He has an appointment with the vet (his least favorite place ever) Monday evening. I would swear that the bump looks smaller today, but I can't confirm this - I will monitor it closely throughout the weekend, because I can't let him be in pain. If that's the case, I know where this goes... and I get sick even thinking about it.
When my mom had to put her cat down earlier this winter, it was so easy for me to be supportive and remind her that it was painless and quick and the only thing that could be done. Through the entire experience, however, I was hoping that the next time a pet I was attached to (the cat was a one person cat) reached that point I would be able to find the same strength.
I love this dog... even if he does snore, and hog the couch.
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