Keeping Britt comfortable During the spring of 2006 my English shepherd, Britt, had difficulty walking up and down steps. He was also having frequent bathroom accidents in the house. Britt was 15 years old, but he still ate well and enjoyed life. Although he was an outside dog, he had stayed inside after an ear operation the year before. I tried to help him adjust by making him as comfortable as possible. As the picture shows, he had the best accommodations. The cooler had water chilled by frozen plastic bottles. I learned that this method kept the water cool longer than just adding ice. His meals were served on an elevated feeder to help his back. When the summer heat came, he had fans, umbrellas and tarps. He also had friends and family that were near. He would bark when he was ready to eat. His midday snack consisted of a ham and cheese sandwich cut into bite-sized pieces. Some people would say it is foolish to go to such trouble for an animal, but I know it was no trouble at all. Britt had given me many years of love, devotion and protection. He had earned a good retirement plan, with all the perks. Patsy L. Payne, Macclesfield, Edgecombe-Martin EMC |
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