Please send prayers, good thoughts, and hope my way. (Updated - see below. Good News)
Last edited Sat Sep 30, 2017, 12:43 PM - Edit history (1)
About 10 years ago we got a new puppy to be a companion for our Sancho. Being conscientious pet parents, we enrolled in a puppy class at PetSmart to teach our new puppy how to train us. Since Sancho hated being alone, we took him to the class as an observer. Everyone at PetSmart knew us as 'those crazy dog people'.
Along about the second or third week of class, one of the employees came running up to us and said 'we have one of your dogs in the adoption display'. Well, we and our two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels went back to see. Well, he wasn't a Cavalier, he was an English Toy Spaniel. He had been rescued from a puppy mill where he had been standing stud. Since we had just gotten a second dog, we really weren't looking for another one. I made the mistake of reaching into his cage and scratching him behind the ears. We made it out of PetSmart without a third dog.
The next day my wife called me at work. She couldn't stop worrying about him. She asked me to find out if he had been adopted. So, I called PetSmart to find out. They didn't know, but the gave me the number of the shelter that had been there. So, I called the shelter. I told the person I talked to, "I don't know if you remember me, but we were the couple who looked at the English Toy". She laughed and said: "Remember you? We have a pool going as to when you were going to call!" No he hadn't been adopted and they would be happy to hold him till the next Sunday when they would be back at PetSmart.
So, the next Sunday, Bosley came home with us. He is the sweetest, most joyful dog, we have ever known. If he is awake, his tail is wagging. He always wants to be in the same room with you, preferably cuddled up next to you. Six years ago he was diagnosed with diabetes. The expected life-span for a diabetic dog is 3-5 years. We had him into the vet about 10 days ago for a regular check up and our vet was very impressed with how well he was doing.
Yesterday afternoon, Bosley started puking. We had him on some arthritis pain meds and we thought perhaps the meds were upsetting his stomach, so we skipped his last dose. Today he has pretty much slept all day and seems to have trouble walking. (He has always had trouble with his right rear hip which we always assumed was from living for 4 years in a cage.) We can tell that he just isn't feeling well. These symptoms in a 14 year old, diabetic dog are scary. We'll be sitting outside our vet's office when they open at 8:00 am tomorrow morning, but in the meantime, any positive energy you can send our way would be appreciated.
= new reply since forum marked as read
When I was growing up our schnauzer was diagnosed with diabetes so I am familial with the problems. Please keep us updated.
and good wishes for Bosley and his gang.
Coming to you from our 3 rescues, Bear, Duke, and Rocket.
for Bosley to overcome whatever is ailing him...he is lucky to have you there for him too!
a loving family.
His story reminds me of my beloved Barney, probably the best dog I'll ever know. I grew up with a cocker spaniel who I loved more than anything. Back in 1994, my mother called me because there was a cocker spaniel on "the pet connection" segment of the local news - pets looking for homes - who looked so much like my childhood dog, except this one was male - and had a unique and sad background.
They said Barney was 10 or 11, had been a stud dog at a "commercial kennel," wasn't housebroken and had never lived with people - they said he needed "a special home." He was beautiful and his story got to me, I called before the segment was even over. The next day, my mother and I drove for over an hour to see the dog - and I was desperately hoping to be "picked" to adopt him.
Needless to say, they didn't get too many calls about Barney and I must have passed muster because he came home with us. And he really was the best dog, handsome with the best temperament - and the woman in rescue who had persuaded this "kennel" that he deserved a second chance had done a wonderful job with him. He had a few quirks, having never lived with people, like trying to make friends with the neighbors' lawn sprinkler and an old tree stump, LOL, but he was also the best dog I've ever had for not "going" in the house.
I had Barney for eight wonderful years, which would have made him 18 or 19, and I miss him still. I'm hoping that the vet is able to solve whatever is ailing Bosley and that you have him for at least as long. He sounds very special and he was certainly very fortunate to have found you.
despite the insulin shots. We kept bringing him to the vet, who dismissed our concerns. In our last visit, he even said our dog was "manipulating" us. We finally took our dog into the city to a special 24 hour hospital, where they immediately put him in an oxygen kennel and kept him overnight.
He had cancer throughout his heart and lungs. Maybe it was in his bones, too, and causing the limping -- we didn't bother with any further tests.
Anyway, if you have any doubts about your vet's diagnosis, consider getting a second opinion. When our dog needed opioid pain killers, we were giving him insulin shots. By the time we finally learned the truth he had spent months in needless pain.
Wishing you and your dogs all the best.
Sweet, innocent little Bosley sure has your number, lol. "Carry me dad, I'm I'm huuuuuuuurt..." 
I have a furry little feline con artist named Otis. They certainly know how to wrap us around their furry little paws.
So glad precious Bosley is okay. I hope you have many years of love & being hoodwinked by your furry little guy.
