25/04/2022
Mom here. I haven't posted anything in a long time, and several people have called, texted and pm'd me asking about how Bucky is doing. As is the case with so many of us, he's showing his fair share of signs of aging.
The worst of it is CCD (Canine Cognitive Dysfunction), but I'm doing everything I can to ease those symptoms. He's been on specialty neuro food for a little over a year, as well as Senilife XL and Bill's Canine Cognitive Support. The restlessness and pacing (especially at night) was very bad until I switched all of the nightlights upstairs to blue lights. I don't know or care what the science is behind them, but the difference they make is unbelievable. CBD and melatonin are also part of his evening routine. I have opted not to try Selegiline with him. A dear friend introduced me to a FB support group for CCD dogs which has been a lifesaver for me. It's quite literally the only group I belong to that is 1000% support with no judgement. His symptoms are fairly textbook at this point; walking into a room for no reason and staring blankly at a piece of furniture or a wall (not unlike me🤷♀️), going from a velcro dog to a Gorilla Glue dog, excessive barking, whining and circling/pacing, general restlessness, etc. He also has periodic bouts of severe panting, but I think they may be more associated with his physical issues, outlined below. There have been a few instances of him walking up to his food bowl and seeming to not know what to do, but only a few. He is still eating and drinking, and bathroom habits are as they have always been. He does still play with the occasional toy, a good sign for a CCD dog.
Compounding the CCD are his back problems. He's got a couple bad discs in his lower back. I think he's always had the problem, but it has become much worse in the last year or so. Because of his age (the vet says 14-ish) physical intervention is not recommended. He's on gabapentin twice a day and methocarbamol three times a day for the pain. A solid gold neighbor goes over in the middle of the day when I'm working to give him his afternoon medicine. (The person who invented liverwurst should win a nobel prize.)
The 1-2 mile walks that were the cornerstone of our days are a thing of the past. 😔 He wants to walk long and hard and far, but his back and legs say no. We stay very close to the house so that if he falls down, the walk home will be brief once he gets up (which he always does). Some days he has a little pep in his step, and others, a turtle could outpace him. I've learned what his distance limits are with walking, and go out of my way to avoid a fall as they seem to impact his mental and emotional state as much as they do mine.
His eyes have gotten a little foggy, and the vet has confirmed that he's losing his sight, but very gradually. His sniffer still works, and I still don't think Caddyshack would be welcomed in his backyard. As has been the case since he came into my care on October 14, 2014, his well being and dignity will ALWAYS be my first priority for him. I know his time with me is limited now, but I will continue to make the absolute best of every moment I have with him. He still recognizes and loves all of his people, and loves to be touched and stroked. Interestingly, his dog reactivity is gone. We spend a lot of time snuggling with our foreheads touching, communicating in a language that we both understand. He will help me make the decision when it's time, and while it will crush my soul, I know that it is ultimately my greatest, most important responsibility to him as his person.
So many people who follow this page have been with him since the very beginning, and I apologize for not being better about updating his situation. I promise to do it more often. He will always be the best brown dog ever!
