Page last updated on Saturday, March 31, 2007.
Here's a quick update on Higgins, adopted between Christmas and New Years, 1998. It's been 5 wonderful years with the kindest most gentle dog a man could have. The picture is a bit blurry; but, blurry or not, it shows Higgins as relaxed as I could possibly imagine; I should sleep so soundly. :) It's one of my favorites. This picture is dated 10 January 2004. He's healthy, active, and happy. The quality of life is high.
We think Higgins is between 13 and 15 years old, so he is in his Senior Years. He has some arthritis in his rear legs, but the occasional pain pill relieves this. So far, he only seems to require it every two weeks or so.
In late April 2002, Higgins contracted gall stones and a complication of hepatitis. A product called Actigal dissolved the stones (no surgery required) and the antibiotics quelled the hepatitis. He lost considerable weight during May of that year, but recuperated, and by July stabilized at 30 pounds, which he is today. He still chases the occasional rabbit (within the confines of our yard, 70 x 60) and still loves to take walks. He is quite boney on the rear haunches and I can feel many of his vertebrae along his back. There is back muscle loss, understandable in a Senior Dog, but the remaining muscle is still nicely toned and his posture is good to excellent. Rear leg muscle is satisfactory to good. He is occasionally unsteady but can catch himself and recover balance. No more staircases, though. Fortunately, Higgins does not have to do staircases. He likes the living room just fine and can go in and out of the yard on the same floor level.
Higgins has been on a special diet since May 2002: specially cooked, ground, and defatted hamburger and chicken; rice, and sometimes noodles ... and Hills ID. No kibbles and no regular dog food. As an aside, our other adopted Cocker, Casey, 5 years,, had developed an allergy that the veteranarian could not trace. Since May 2002, she has been on the same diet (her choice ... they want to eat what the other is eating). The allergy is gone. Apparently, she was allergic to dog food or kibbles or both.
Higgins and Casey get along just fine; everyday is a blessing; for us and for them. Higgins and I thank Cocker Spaniel Rescue, Oldies But Goodies, every day. Every day, Higgins does what I call a 'letting the puppy out'. He lays down and actively rolls from 'on his side' to almost entirely 'on his back'. The legs go, the ears flap, the eyes partially close, and I swear the mouth is smiling. I feel certain Higgins is thanking you for rescuing him. Many times, in the evening, he runs in his sleep and makes a happy bark in his sleep. It is markedly different from his awake moments. I sense he is reliving those days at Oldies But Goodies when he ran with 26 other remarkable, rescued Cocker Spaniels. Higgins will always remember you and so will I.
Thank you, Burt H.