I knew I wasn't 100% yesterday
Today I suspect I have the start of a chest infection.
A few days ago a poorly patient , having no social skills in politeness, coughed directly into my face with a phlegm filled mouthfull of infection.
In my 37 years as a nurse I've been covered in much worse, believe me,
A couple of weeks ago George started to be incredibly slow out on his walks.
He was still black eyed and vital but everything was done at a more pedestrian pace than usual
I got him checked out then and on last Monday when he got somewhat breathless out on the Dyserth railway walkway.
He has a degree of heart failure
This morning just him and I went to our favourite cafe on Colwyn Bay Promenade.
No Mary playing up, no Winnie bumming toast from the patrons .
Just George and I with plate of toast and a large coffee.
He sat on the chair next to me watching me carefully as I pulled the crust off the thick doorstop slabs
He's always been polite to the point of indifference except when food is concerned where he will let out an occasional sharp whine in hopeful anticipation of a tidbit
Even heart failure can't stop his addiction to food.
I dipped his portions into my coffee to soften it and blew the piece cold before passing it over
A woman at a nearby table laughed and pointed
And we shared a breakfast with our eyes half closed against the morning sun.
Awww sweet George. You are a good man John, sharing your breakfast with your pensioner and some precious time together.
ReplyDeleteJulie
By George he got it! ...The coffee soaked toast I mean. How old is George now?
ReplyDelete13 YP
DeleteWe all need that precious time together. Sweet loving George.
ReplyDeleteAll kids need me time
DeleteTake care of the cough, If there is reincarnation, I'd like to come back as one of your dogs.
ReplyDeleteAnything to get on my knee eh dave ? Xx
Deletehow old is george? these dogs sure break our hearts don't they?
ReplyDeleteHe is 13... o
DeleteAn old boy
wee georgie, so sweet.
ReplyDeleteWho wouldn't love that little face?
ReplyDeleteWe had our old friend of 18 years put to sleep at home a few weeks ago. We were never, ever going through that again, never, ever, ever. A couple days later we were back at the cat and dog home looking at a little fella with a big personality. Long story short we adopted a rough coated Jack Russell and he has wheedled his way into our hearts already. The point of this long post is that there three Scotties at the place looking for homes, bet they were snapped up. Take care of yourself and George.
ReplyDeleteMargo, where are the three scotties who need homes? Always looking to rescue a scotty....love them.
DeleteSo sorry Margo funny enough I have a card for a place that deals with rescue Scotties in the uk , a woman give it me on the beach
DeleteCarol, it was SPCA Bothwell Bridge Hamilton, however, it was about four weeks ago now.
DeleteOne of the best things in life is a meal shared with a friend.
ReplyDeleteWishing George, the pack, and you well.
Hugs!
Thanks babs
DeleteYou remind me of a good parent who has multiple children, taking each one for solo dates with Dad.
ReplyDeleteTake care. That possible respiratory infection sounds horrid.
It's awful thank you x
DeleteLast year we were waiting and watching our 14 year old poodle mix certain he was soon to die. We decided to try CBD oil(very,very low level of THC) We started with 1/2 drop and saw a huge difference in Dexter 9.5lbs. 1 drop is too much he was lethargic. He is still with us with a new energy and pep in his step, when he is awake. He still sleeps a lot.
ReplyDeleteTried it also with our other dog, Daisy 14lbs and only 10 takes 3 drops and is much less anxious and nervous.
Just an idea as I have read that cannabinoid products are available in Britain.
Yes have read about them recently
DeleteHe's had diruretics
My thoughts are with dear little George (as well as you, of course). I'm trying to keep them upbeat.
ReplyDeleteI have two old dogs Raymondo, the maths are against us
DeleteI know, I know, JayGee. We wish they could live forever, and without the inevitable ailments of old age. Just one of countless illustrations of how Nature can be so cruel.
DeleteHave you guys ever met?
DeleteTime just slips by so fast these days and suddenly my sister's new puppy is ten years old and slowing down.
ReplyDeleteSteve...🙁
DeleteI would think after 37 years as a nurse you'd be immune to practically everything ... except of course the affections of an aging dog.
ReplyDeleteI wish tom, but both infections and dogs
DeleteCan still break my heart
Gorgeous photo of George at the top of the post. Sorry to hear that you are unwell. I have been ill all week with a cold and chest infection after being in good health for years! I hope you feel better soon. x
ReplyDeleteI've done some mentoring at sams tonight and feel like shite
DeleteI'm glad you and George enjoyed your special breakfast time at the cafe today. Hugs to you both.
ReplyDeleteAnd to you big D x
DeleteOh dear, poor George. I hope he hangs on for a good few years yet.
ReplyDeleteAmen Nickolas
DeleteGeorge's eyes are full with love, I can see it.
ReplyDeleteHe's a thinker yael
DeleteI am sorry to read that. We lost Troy to heart failure last year. We knew for nearly 2 years but managed it by shorter walks and keeping him calm. I can see he so enjoyed his breakfast and being the special one x
ReplyDeleteYes calm and short walks is the key I'm trying
DeleteGeorge loves his walks
What a wonderful face George has. I'd give him my breakfast too. They pull on all the heartstrings when they get older and frailer, don't they? May you have more outings like this one to put in your memory bank.
ReplyDeleteAnd I do hope your illness is short and not too draining.
DeleteHe breaks your heart
DeleteWhat a special morning for you both. I do hope you feel better soon. Chest infections can hang on so I hope you can head it off in the early stages.
ReplyDeleteMy immunity has been shit this year past
DeleteSweet George. Sweet John.
ReplyDeleteSweet Mitchell
DeleteAhhh, my heart just b.roke a tiny bit. Hang on George , we still need you.
ReplyDeleteThey chip away at the pericardium don't they ?
DeleteThey do....a,ways break your heart
DeleteOMG your doggie is super extra adorable!
ReplyDeleteBTW hope you don't get sick. Spring is almost here and we'll have time to get allergies and the such.
XOXO
I'm already sick 😕
DeleteYour breakfast with George sounds like exactly what you both needed.
ReplyDeleteHe fell off the chair, but I gave him the last bit of crust so he perked up quick sticks
DeleteGeorge being the senior dog probably enjoyed this special outing as much as you did hope you both feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteAnd it was remarkable relaxing as Mary is overactive and Winnie just loves begging fud
DeleteVirginia here.
ReplyDeleteA chest infection, just when the weather should be turning spring-like, what a nuisance! Work bugs are over and above the call of Duty aren’t they! My specialist insisted I stop working with children when I was put on very strong immunosuppressant medication, and amazingly, I had the first winter in decades without a chest infection! Unfortunately it decreased the coffers as a result!
My immunity is shit Virginia x
DeleteI hope you recover quickly from your chest infection.
ReplyDeletePoor George. My Lucy has CHF and I notice she tires easily now. She's only seven but was run hard when she was a hunting dog, before we got her. I need to get her to the vet because she has a chronic cough.
It looks like George enjoyed his toast. He knows what's important in life I'm thinking.
He's a simple dog , uncomplicated
DeleteSimple and uncomplicated, I am more of a cat person. One if my blacks, is simple Nd uncomplicated...is a good description.
DeleteBest to all of you....and the black cat, of course
George is my favourite. Gentle george
ReplyDeleteWe was always the Prof's dog
DeleteI remember that! Are you going to tell him about the heart failure, or has he totally cut off contact with him? My apologies if I am being insensitive in asking.
DeleteIve told him
DeleteGood Vibes to George. Our boy will be 13 in six weeks time. He's on pain meds for his arthritis. We count every day as a bonus.
ReplyDeleteMy unit has been hit by a flu type bug that settles in the chest. We're day surgery, and the first things patients do is cough in our faces. The laugh is our health authority penalizes us if we call in sick!
Me too ..no pay
DeleteSweet pooch. x
ReplyDeleteSweet comment x
DeleteGeorge is a dear. Did you get a mask on you patient.
ReplyDeleteNot quite works that way x
DeleteWhatever you believe in, I hope it blesses both of you. Bev x
ReplyDeleteMe too bev
DeleteJohn,
ReplyDeleteIn the year following my son's death I did a lot of reading about grief and how it can impact us. One of the things I learned was that there have been studies that indicate grief can have an effect on your immune system. I certainly found that to be the case; I caught every bug that came down the like. Be kind to yourself.
I've been sick 9 months out of 12
DeleteAnd I'm tired
Darling George..he looks so refined bless him. Chest infections are the pits... I hope your's doesn't hang on too long and you perk up reasonably soon.
ReplyDeleteJo in Auckland
I hope so I'm off to bed soon and feel like shite
DeleteSweet George and sweet John look after each other x
ReplyDeleteHe is an unsung support to me......never demanding always there
DeleteSweet old man, so grey in the muzzle! He needs a kiss.
ReplyDeleteAw, such a lovely little story! Bless George & bless you John!
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better! I'm struggling with a Throat lurgy! Yucky! 😚😚
Aw, such a lovely little story! Bless George & bless you John!
ReplyDeleteHope you feel better! I'm struggling with a Throat lurgy! Yucky! 😚😚
I can't bear watching your pack diminish, though I'm sure it's harder on you.
ReplyDeleteUnderstatement of the year
DeletePoor George. It sounds like he loves his warm toast treats. My little 14 year old Pom's health is slipping. The deafness that he has developed doesn't seem to worry him, but now he is arthritic in his neck/shoulders and most recently one hind leg.
ReplyDeleteHe and I have a breakfast routine of him having a few teaspoons of warm milk from my hot cereal. He has a little bowl of his own for it and as I blow on it to cool it he whines and whimpers for me to hurry. I usually set his little bowl on the floor but if he is having a bad arthritis day, I hold it up off the floor so he doesn't have to bend his poor stiff neck. It's heartbreaking to see our loyal, sweet dogs in pain.
I hope you feel better very soon. My daughter is an RN When she comes home from work, she enters their home through the garage and the next door inside their home is their laundry room. Her work clothes go directly into the washing machine, and then she showers. She is super germ vigilant. One time while visiting a relative in the hospital, I casually set my purse down on the floor. She jumped up and put my purse up off of the floor and scolded me, "Mom, never put your purse on the floor in a hospital room! You don't even want to know what might be on that floor!" I know she was right.
Take care.
Poor George, I hope he's OK. We should all treat our animals as if each day was their last. Spoil 'em rotten.
ReplyDeleteHe is such a sweet boy. I can't believe I missed him from my first postcard. I am so glad that I sent you another one with him included. I am sure he enjoyed his breakfast and one to one time with you.
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel less shite as the week goes on! x
ReplyDeleteYou are a wonderful Dad. Take care of yourself.
ReplyDeleteA bittersweet moment, but one to cherish nonetheless! It's interesting when the sun comes out we all have the impulse to turn our faces toward it, after a dark, sun-hungry winter.
ReplyDeleteAwww sweet George. ♥️ He wears his years of wisdom and love well but that makes a slow slipping away even harder to bear. I think all your dogs treasure their one to one time with you ... but George all the more so.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're soon feeling better, I've had this crappy flu-ey, cold virus that's been going around for over a week now... it's shite 🤧😕
Nicelyly written dearheart x
DeleteWill he be okay? What can you do for heart failure? :( Poor sweet little George. Sending you both some love.
ReplyDeleteHe's on medication Zoe xx
DeleteAww gorgeous George😍
ReplyDeleteWe lost our beautiful Zeus, to a severe seizure on Friday.It was totally out of the blue, He had just turned one😭😭
Bonnie's lost 2 Brothers in 6 months, as 15 year old Buddy died in Sept 😭😭
So sorry
DeleteAww honey, he is a sweet pup. That was kind of you to take him out for a meal.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better.
Sweet George! Lovely you leave the rest of the tribe at home and take him on a little date.
ReplyDelete