Sophie

  Last Friday, June 1, we said good-bye to Sophie.  Her final days were a rapid slide of physical abilities.  We had to help her get up, help her gain her balance and when she walked outside, would lean against our legs to help steady herself.  Even at that, she would fall frequently while she was walking.  Her appetite decreased, too--although she still liked her evening treats!  We started to add treats to her food bowl to entice her to eat.  Sophie would pick the treats out and leave the kibble, sometimes going for a day and a half before eating a full meal.   By Friday, the expression in Sophie's eyes told me that she was not enjoying life anymore.  As painful as the decision was, I had to do what was best for our girl.
  The vet thought Sophie had an age related brain tumor, which caused the balance issues.  I had been researching her symptoms on the internet and wasn't surprised by the diagnosis.  Dr. Robbins offered the option of treating Sophie with steroids, which would mask the symptoms, improve the quality of her life, but only for a short time.  I couldn't see making Sophie go through the physical decline again, just so we could keep her for another week or so.  As I held her for her shot, the vet asked if I was ready.  I started to say "no," as I'm never ready to part with one of our animals.  But, I always have to accept what is needed for them so I nodded my head.
  Sophie was the first dog that I picked from a litter to be a show dog.  The stud's owner came to evaluate the litter and asked who I thought was the best. When I said Sophie, and Deanna told me I was correct, it was the greatest feeling!  A few years later, when I worked with Sophie, Ben and Mosby in a handler's class, a long time collie/sheltie breeder told me that Sophie was the best of the three.  She thought I should be concentrating on getting Sophie's championship.
  However, Sophie didn't like to show.  It took a long time just to get her to tolerate car rides without getting nervous and car sick.  Someone told me Sophie was just a country girl who wanted to be home!  We tried her in the ring, anyway.  Mid way through her very short show career, she adjusted to traveling and got her first point on February 15, 2004.  We changed handlers soon after that and though Ellen worked very hard with Sophie, it was pretty clear that it was an uphill battle.  We decided to give Sophie about ten shows to change her mind.  Some shows Sophie would have a bit of a spark but when we saw her in the ring at her second to last show, she looked absolutely miserable!  We decided enough was enough but for some reason decided to keep Sophie in her last show on May 17 (our wedding anniversary).  She must have known that she was coming home after that as Ellen said Sophie walked in the ring a different dog!  She was confident, held herself proudly and won Winners Bitch, Best of Winners and Best of Opposite Sex!  What an anniversary gift she gave us!  It was tempting to keep showing Sophie as the judge loved her and she received many compliments from ringside.  However, a deal was a deal and we brought Sophie home, content that she had finished on top!

Sophie at the start of her show career.

Sophie's second and final win.

Happy Birthday, Sophie!

  Sophie is now thirteen years old!  This is new territory for us, as we've never had a collie go past twelve.  We take one day at a time with our senior girl and enjoy every minute of it!  Sophie has good days and then some moments that make us realize she won't be with us forever.  She seems to have lost her hearing and sometimes is easily knocked off balance.  But, Saturday, she ran along the fence line as I drove down the driveway!  Her gait looked awkward and I was afraid she wouldn't be able to stop without crashing into a bush or tree, but her tail was wagging and her eyes were shining with happiness.
  We celebrated the birthday milestone with doggy blueberry muffins for everybody.  The birthday girl got full size muffins while everyone else got the mini's.  What a hit!  I think the dogs would like philosophy of  the Mad Hatter in Alice in Wonderland and celebrate the un-birthdays, too, and have muffins every day!

The muffins are ready--let the party begin!

Sophie enjoying her birthday dinner and muffins.

Checking for an overlooked crumb or two.

The look on her face seems to say, "There's no more"?  But, her bowl is very clean!

Solo Sophie

  One of our concerns about losing Ben was how hard it would affect Sophie.  They had always been extremely close.  As they aged and Sophie seemed to have some vision and hearing loss, she would take her cues from Ben, looking at him before reacting to something, barking when he did, trotting over to the same spot in the yard and such.  We were facing the very real possibility that Sophie would not be able to live without her brother and we would lose her, too.  I delayed making the decision about Ben because I wasn't ready for that double loss.
  When we came home after the trip to the vet, I found Sophie laying in Ben's crate, with a very sad face.  She came out of the crate when I called her, burying her head into my chest when I knelt down.  Somehow she knew her brother was gone and was clearly grieving.  She didn't touch her supper that night but we enticed her to eat with some treats.
  The next morning, she was listless but showed some interest in breakfast after awhile.  I spent a lot of time with her, brushing her coat and fussing over her.  I also changed her routine, using different yards for exercise instead of the one she shared with Ben.
  By the middle of the week, Sophie started to show some interest in her surroundings and her appetite perked up.  She doesn't dive into her meals like she used to, but she does like to explore the scents in the yard (I think it's a big traffic area for the wildlife).  She trots along the fence line as I walk up the drive to get the paper and has enjoyed some time by the wood stove as I watch t.v.  She even picked up a rawhide and chewed it!
  We've had glorious, spring-like weather the last two days and the dogs have been in the play yard to enjoy it.  I put Sophie in her yard and while she seemed to look around for Ben, she was very interested in the activity next door.  She barked at the dogs while they play tussled and touched noses with a couple through the fence.
  I think her adjustment is going well, actually better than I thought it would.  I do enjoy these days with her!

Taking her morning stroll

Breaking into a little trot!

Healing Waters?

  I have blogged before about our senior dogs, Ben and Sophie.  They are now 12 1/2 and we know that every day we have with them is a gift.  They have good days and bad days and Ben, especially, has started with longer cycles of bad days.  We watch them carefully for signs that it is time to say good-bye, but are always relieved when that decision can be put off for at least one more day.
  Ben and Sophie spend quite a bit of time sleeping, have difficulty getting up, their balance can be unsteady, their appetite inconsitent and Sophie is unable to spend a long night inside without an accident. A few weeks ago, their difficulties were very apparent and severe.  With a heavy heart, I thought it was time to take Ben to the vet, with Sophie to follow very soon after. 
  When that last day comes, I always give the dog a bath and a good grooming if possible.  It gives me quality time with the dog, a chance to say good bye privately and lets them cross over with the dignity they deserve.  After deciding that it was time to make arrangements for Ben in the upcoming week, I spent the week-end trimming nails, brushing and then bathing Ben and Sophie.  They can't tolerate long times on the grooming table, so over the course of the two days, many short sessions were needed to finish the brushing.  By dinner on Sunday, they looked like the show dogs they used to be!  They had a spring to their step and a sparkle in their eye.  I felt good, knowing they were comfortable and we had had good, final days.
  Monday was a surprise!  Ben and Sophie greeted me at the door of their room in the morning, eager for breakfast.  Ben finished his and was looking for more!  The walk to the kennel was energetic and they were interested in visiting the other dogs.  I began to think I could wait another week before calling the vet.  In the days that followed, it was if time was reversing itself.  Both dogs ate their meals every day, greeted us enthusiastically, even started playing!  When I would let the rest of the dogs out in the play yards, they would trot over to the fence and watch the activity.  Sometimes, they would bark with the rest of the dogs as the deer would come out of the woods and cross the property. 
  I'm not sure why Ben and Sophie are suddenly doing so well, but I'm certainly not complaining!  Could the baths have had healing properties?  If so, I wish it would work as well for my own aches and pains!