Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
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Picture it. You're 2200 miles from your family, just you and your dog, and your canine friend has a health crisis. You can't delegate the hubby to take the dog to the vet. You won't call in sick for a dog. What to do?
Enter Charlie the Wonder Beagle. At seven years old, Charlie's entering doggy middle-age, and this week developed his first real sign of it. He hurt his back, which uncovered a hip defect called hip dysplasia that he was probably born with. Evidently until the injury, he was able to cope pretty well. But all of a sudden Mister Energy can't get on the couch, is sluggish going upstairs, and otherwise just not acting like himself.
Charlie's having the most trouble first thing in the morning, when it's still a bit chilly outside. My vet has me giving him painkillers twice a day, and normally during the week I can give him that first dose and then kind of baby him for a couple of hours before I have to come to work.
Saturday's a different story. The shift begins at 7:30. Gotta leave the house by 7 to get here. What do you do with the dog?
If you've ever wondered how to drive your dog nuts in three easy steps, let me offer up this suggestion:
1. Take him to a radio station while he is drugged and can't protest 2. Make him sit in front of a microphone 3. Talk soothingly to him and put headphones on his floppy ears
In all seriousness, Charlie's been spoiled rotten today. So don't feel too bad for him. He's getting all the ear scratches and belly rubs he can handle here, between Jackie McKay, John Ellsworth and Fred the TV producer. Talk about having it made!
