Monday, April 27, 2009

high on the dog


I nearly posted a premature obituary Sunday afternoon.


Recall when the Australian media prematurely snuffed the Queen Mother in 1992? It took her nine more years to catch up with the news.


My story would have been about Professor Jiggs. He fell twice on Sunday afternoon. His back legs simply would not hold him up. It reminded me of those news reels where race horses struggle to get up with broken legs.


Traumatic for him. Traumatic for me.


I spent a couple hours on the ground with him. Massaging his leg. Giving him a back and ear rub.


I was about ready to call the vet to make The Appointment. But I needed something upstairs in the house.


When I came back down, he was standing at the bottom of the stairs wondering where I had gone. Standing, but wobbly.


We went for a short walk that ended prematurely when he wanted to go wade in the ocean. Not with those legs. Not with those waves.


Other than heading off to church this morning, I spent the day at the house with Jiggs. And I am glad I did. I came down here to enjoy Jiggs's last days with him.


I am doing that.