TAKES A LICKING. . . .

My beloved, elderly Rottweiler, Splendid Glory, has a habit of licking - everything! She licks her paws, her coat, the cats, the floor, etc. It drives me nuts! We used to think she was doing it because she had fleas, so we started bathing her regularly. It makes no difference whatsoever. She can be just dried from her bath, perfectly clean, and she starts the licking. Ack!

My vet, Dr. Charlie Proshak* (The BEST vet in the world, incidentally. If you live in the Dallas, TX area and need an outstanding vet, let me know. I'll send you his address and phone number. Be warned, though: Once you take your pet to Dr. Charlie, you'll never settle for anyone else!), told me that her licking was anxiety-based. I know he's right, but I wonder WHAT in the world does a dog have to be anxious about? She doesn't have a job or a boss or a lengthy commute to work. She doesn't have to face dressing room mirrors as she tries on clothes that rarely fit. She doesn't have to deal with the struggles of marriage. So what IS the problem? It's not as if we have a lot of yelling or screaming, or anything like that.

Splendid's a house dog, practically a lap dog, and has never spent more than two hours outside - and that was with supervision. In fact, she doesn't even like going outside. If it's raining, I have to take an umbrella out with us, because she won't stand in the rain to relieve herself. (This means, of course, that I'm the one standing in the rain while holding the umbrella over the dog.) Okay, so she's a little bit spoiled.

I even stopped biting my nails, thinking I was a bad influence. It didn't matter one bit.

Splendid is 11 years old now, which is elderly for a Rottweiler. I just learned that she has a tumor on her bladder, which is probably malignant. Dr. Charlie is going to perform surgery on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving - I just realized that's next week! Yikes!

I can't imagine not having Splendid in my life. She's a rock of support, always there, always loving, and never judgmental. I know she loves me every single day, no matter what happens in the world.

So I've asked everyone I know to keep good thoughts in their hearts for her. Some folks have offered to pray for her, and I accepted. To my readers: please keep positive thoughts for my Splendid. I'd do the same for you, anytime.

Until later,