Paloma: Bracing for Loss Part II in a Series

Feeling Good and Mischievous

Our beloved “nut” (rather than mutt) Paloma has endured five radiation treatments.  Perhaps its her “dad” and me who are doing the enduring, as she is happily sedated and gets treats afterward, and gets to ride in the car for two hours each way (her favorite pastime!)  How fortunate that animals are free from the burdens of pondering their remaining time and/or quality of life…that is for us to suffer over on their behalf.  I like to think that there is some positive effect…her tumor had seemed to be advancing mercilessly quickly and we see no further deterioration of her condition or quality of life.

Paloma with Radiation Mapping

Her Happy Meter, located strategically at the base of her spine, registers daily contentment in effusive wagging…and for that we are grateful.  For so many things I am grateful.  For the extra two years we’ve had to lavish her embarrassingly with affection and spoiled-ness.  For her comfortable sighs and relaxed presence curled against me in bed.

Diagnosis Update: Feisty

How do I know she’s happy and comfortable? Well, aside from her Happy Meter wagging profusely, her mischievous antics have anything but ceased.  In fact, she has added new pursuits in recent weeks.  One of these would be pulling out a cat food can and chewing on it ambitiously in the hopes of inhaling some nourishing and tasty morsels.  See exhibit A:

The Turk Inspecting Paloma's Destruction

She continues to perform the other acts of naughtiness in her repertoire…jumping up to puuullll things off the kitchen and other counters to inspect/chomp/ingest, disregarding our imploring calls to “come” – though now she has an excuse, dang it! Her hearing has been affected, so we are a common sight chasing after her and gently corralling her back into the car or house.  She sprawls across the entire bed at night, hogging the choice positions and preventing me from covering myself entirely.  Her newest and frustrating but hilarious habit is to try to violently slam shut or jerk open my laptop cover as I work or tweet!  It’s quite the attention-getter. She even occasionally still jumps up on people when greeting them and instead of cringing in shame at her lack of proper doggy manners I grin inwardly that she remains blissfully ignorant of her condition.  That is for us companion humans to worry over.  If that’s a part of my job description, I’m OK with it.

(Black & white photo of Paloma and me by Frank Bruynbroek, other photos by G. Stark)