I am having more problems with blogger today
If we didn't have our blogs for nothing I would scream the place down
Here goes again
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| Needy and Just a little sad.....Meg the Welsh Terrier |
Some people, when they get older, become more concrete in their thinking and in their behaviours....its a common phenomenon.
Rigidity in routine can become an almost essential part of everyday life, and demanding behaviour can be a little hard work at time, especially if you are dealing with the older person 24/7
Our older welsh terrier ,Meg is such a character.
Over the years, her attachment with me has developed to something bordering on obsession.....where I go , she goes. when I sit, she sits with me, when I go to the toilet, she will stand by the door anxiously turning in slow circles waiting for the flush to go, Her neuroses are clear and at times all rather sad especially as she has become less tolerant of any dog that will dare to look at her out of the corner of their eyes
She is an old bitch,in all aspects of the word.
I think rheumatism has given her an occasional and awkward limp and when she growls she only shows half a mouthful of baby sized teeth ( my first bulldog Constance knocked several of the others out in a fit of " you're getting on my tits" with all of this negative, needy behaviour) but there is always something rather heartbreaking about her anxious brown eyes and her constant need for reassurance.
Yesterday she got herself into an altercation with a village dog. They were both on leads, and the fracas was unavoidable, but it did cost me a bunch of Marks and Spencer flowers, in way of an apology.
She is an old gal with a brittle psychi
Mental fragility Is not just a prerogative of us humans
But look at her, so cuddly and adorable, she's worth making allowances for, especially as she obviously adores you.
ReplyDeleteSounds just like my Alfie. He literally pisses round the bed as real life got in the way of having him spayed. It's probably too late now as he is 9!
ReplyDeleteNow the cat has joined in by piddling in the laundry basket. God my life is all glamour!
We'll miss them when the time comes. or not.
Susan
You're right - it definitely extends to animals as well. They have as many quirks as we do!!
ReplyDeleteWe all get more difficult the older we get !
ReplyDeleteSpeaking as someone who has to 'clean up' after a 91 year old aunt - and who also has to clean up after very elderly dog, Toby, I know which I prefer.
ReplyDeletePhoebe, my oldest cat, sounds a lot like Meg. She has become very needy and is taking crotchety to the next level. She's also EXTREMELY grounded in routines, and gets very upset if i don't eat when she thinks i should.
ReplyDeleteThat sometimes makes it hard to love her, although i know that's when she needs my love the most.
My elderly cat Tweedy is also very demanding. When she wants attention, she wants it NOW! However, she can only be touched where she wants to be and those spots keep changing. It's a real challenge keeping her happy!
ReplyDeleteI guess you make her feel safe John. It's a huge compliment really. CT x
ReplyDeleteBlimey this sounds just like my 15 year old Ellie. I have to sit next to her or she will not eat and she follows me everywhere, even round our miniscule kitchen. Her nick name is Velcro.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely post John and so much understanding of yuour dog's needs. Methinks she is a little spoilt maybe - but why not - dogs give us so much pleasure. I love Welsh terriers, but like all terriers their snappy instincts do come through at times. Give her a cuddle and tell her you love her in spite of everything.
ReplyDeleteOur old dog Kane needs routine and when it's off, he's off. I understand what you are going through. We can't leave him at home anymore without him getting depressed so he comes everywhere with me, the retired-guy or both of us. He has never been tolerant of other dogs on leash so you can imagine it is just getting worse. I detour around dogs now. Perhaps the eyes and ears are going now, too. It is all so sad but I think from what I read that you (and I) will always do the best for our dogs. Deb
ReplyDeleteSince I am an old girl also, I can relate to fragile Meg.
ReplyDeleteAt 37, I share a lot of Meg's ..ah..quirks. God help us all when I'm older.
ReplyDeleteDear old soul.
ReplyDeleteOne of my cats is like that. Willow sits with me in the work room and moves about the room with me. So, so annoying and yet touching that she wants to stay close.
ReplyDeleteOccasionally I do shout at her and she goes downstairs and I'm left feeling totally guilty but its not long before she comes slinking back.
Briony
x
She is very very cute though..
ReplyDeleteOff to work shortly...so brief apologies for losing five or six comments... At e start of the comment section.... Anyone else having blogger problems with comments?
ReplyDeleteI notice that my comment disappeared but now it's come back. How wierd. And annoying.
DeletePs
ReplyDeleteIf you look closely you can see the remains on my breakfast on my top!
My Hamish is like that from the second he came to live with us. The vet thought he was weaned to early. I don't really know I rescued him as a puppy.
ReplyDeleteHe is my shadow when I walk he is right at my feet or giving my ankle a lick (I think is testing to see if I an ready to eat) He has sent me crashing into walls, two chipped teeth and a smashed shoulder, a glass door and numerous falls. He is nine now and has gotten better not right at my feet but if I get up and move one foot he is up and moving. Stalking me.
Meg looks very sweet though. Beautiful lady.
I wonder if she is going deaf or has the beginning of dementia ? Watson has both and gets worried or forgetful especially after sleeping and nap time. I have to try and wake him gently talking to him.
cheers, parsnip
Bless her little heart. Old age - tell me about it.
ReplyDeleteLEADS always cause problems for dogs. We think we are protecting them from each other when in reality it's a signal to castrate the nearest pooch.
ReplyDeleteYes, leads/leashes are like electrified wires!! We have learned to never stop and meet an oncoming dog on a lead.
ReplyDeleteNow to your 'top'....I find it really helps for a certain someone to wear an apron while eating......
John, I can only imagine if I was left with the upbringing of a human being!! I'll stick with dogs thank you very much!
You got that right! Although Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar, might just disagree. I must be careful what I say to her. Very kind of her to allow me to live with her! :)
ReplyDeleteBe well, my friend.
Gary
"Concrete in their thinking and behaviours"...yes I have become more "concrete" as I have grown older. I like my patterns whereas before I happily went with the flow and enjoyed a more random way of being so I know how Meg feels. Woof! Woof! Now where's that bone?
ReplyDeleteShe's earned the right, I guess.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week, John. ♥
I've met dogs that are more people-like than some people.
ReplyDeleteTrue love. And you love her back, difficult and demanding bitch that she is. As I have loved cats with the same characteristics - and our current crop will not wait outside the toilet for me. If I have the audacity to shut the door they tear strips off the paint scratching to get in before the toilet monster consumes me.
ReplyDeleteMan's best friend... unconditional love... you can't beat it. It always makes me smile when most photo's of you have the addition of a comfort blanket, or hairy sporran, by way of an animal of some kind, clapped to your bod. Who could fail to love you?
ReplyDeleteLLX
My dear little old border terrier was just the same. She's been gone almost a year. It is wonderfully restful to take a walk without looking in all directions at once for any approaching dog but goodness I miss her.
ReplyDeleteJohn, It is those things that drive you crazy about her, that you will miss terribly some day.
ReplyDeleteCindy Bee
John my Collie Bluey is the old ladies darling in the village - they run their fingers through her curly white hair and she is a welcome visitor at the local Care Home - but let us meet a certain collie in the village - also on a lead and on the other side of the road and she becomes a raving maniac - OH says - shout aggressively ' I'll kick your arse' she knows that means stop - trouble is folk tend to pale at that remark - it not being very ladylike and all that- still it takes the attention off the dog fight!!
ReplyDeletethe longer you spend time with someone, the more you pick up on their social cues...why would animals be any different. Poor Meg; she will always be the nervous nellie...Its funny, but each one of our animals has a personality too...
ReplyDeleteMeg sounds just like me right down to the limp , oh never ever look out the corner of your eye at an ole bitch ... yes attestment to verbal catfights with the neighbor ~ my obsession of course is with my younger hubby ~ oh gawd gotta run he just flushed the toilet ;)
ReplyDelete