About 10 pm the evening of 27 March, Saphire suddenly collapsed. Lew's first thought was "stroke", so he and Bobbi got Saphire into the mini-van and drove her straight to Med-Vet. The vet drew some blood, went out to do the determination, and returned to tell us that Saphire was extremely anemic - which was obvious from her pale gums.
Everyone had known that this was coming since her last surgery (was that really over 4 years ago?), because it is the way dogs with malignant liver tumors usually go. The vet reviewed the possible interventions, and everyone agreed that, because she would continue to bleed, even the most aggressive of these could buy Saphire only a few days at best - a few very uncomfortable days for a very old (17 years) husky. Everyone agreed that the most moral and humane thing would be to put her down then and there, so the vet gave her an overdose of a barbiturate while Bobbi and Lew cradled her head in their arms - as they had done for Smokey less than 2 years earlier. A truly heart-rending deja vu.
However, the Lindners are fortunate to have the 2 very affectionate new dogs - thanks to Rob. Neither of them mourned Saphire for very long, which certainly helped the humans recover from the blow.
The younger (My-low) continues to be ADHD (which shows his Jack Russell heritage) and Lew's last remaining psychiatric patient. Otherwise he is hearty and healthy, energetic and constantly hungry - he eats anything not under lock and key: animal, vegetable, or mineral. But however active, he remains a most comforting companion.
Timmy the couch potato remains ridiculously affectionate and dependent, having to remain constantly right next to Lew - preferably in direct contact. And he is overweight. He must lose because we don't want to care for a diabetic dog for God-knows-how-long.
The cats also remain status quo. Lucky (the inheritance from g'ma Audrey) remains shy and diffident nearly six years after her death, but is beginning to show Lew a little affection. He sleeps directly next to Lew's head, even during the day. On the other hand, little bitty Kitty-poo - all six or seven pounds of her - remains the pack leader, enforcing her status through her dominating and (when she thinks necessary) vicious personality.
Paul continues his role as the curve-breaker in nursing training. Despite the ease with which gets top grades, he nevertheless persists in studying. Clearly he is not willing to rely on genetics to get him through - obsessive-compulsive. He took Lew to a ballet (Alice-in-Wonderland) which really was most gratifying for Lew - a birthday gift, if you will.
Out-of-school and unemployed, Bobbi none-the-less stokes her anxiety by taking on projects at church. Currently she has dominated her way into a leadership role in the evangelism program and tutors some school children on the side. Healthwise her out-of-warranty body and Lew's anxiety continue to be threatened by her weight. Already that has cost her four surgeries and now threatens her remaining hip, knee, and both feet. And how long can she continue to escape diabetes?
Of course Lew's body is even further out-of-warranty. His heart continues to be the greatest threat, but the back pain is most in-the-face. It worsened around the beginning of February, so that it now is truly difficult for him to do any walking. But he is bound and determined to travel, no matter what.
Enough for now - stay tuned for the next installment, same time, same station.
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