Sweet, she was...but she was also a stinker! In the first few years of our time together, she got herself into all sorts of minor trouble, but the incidents that come to mind most readily are digging in the trash/spreading it out all over the house, and eating dirty underwear. That cracks me up now, and totally disgusts my boys, but she did. She's a weird one, that Lacey. Anytime anyone talks to her, whether she's getting in trouble or getting loving attention, her butt is always wiggling. She can't help it. She has the little stub tail, so half her body wiggles with it. It's so precious!
Everyone loves Lacey. Anyone who meets her absolutely adores her. She is patient and gentle and has been known to be a little frisky from time to time. As she got older, she seemed to grow even more patient, and when N was born, she let him crawl and climb all over her without any issue. By the time B came around, she was a little more "old ladyish" and not so into being a jungle gym, but she still stayed still and just looked at him warily.
At some point, her hearing started to go. In my dad's old house, you could get her attention by stomping on the wood floor. No matter where she was in the house, she would feel the vibrations and come trotting down the hall. When he moved to Houston, she stayed with us for a few days, and then rode down to Houston with the boys and me. The boys absolutely love her too.
Now that my dad has a house and a yard, she is loving the fact that she is able to go outside without a leash and just wander around. She drives my dad crazy sometimes, wanting to go in and out all the time, but he and Lacey are buddies. She's old though, so sometimes she just doesn't make it outside. My heart hurts for her.
In addition to being deaf, Lacey has these growths that have popped up all over her body. They're kind of like skin tags, only their a lot bigger and they bleed when she messes with them. I know, it's kinda gross, but she's my girl. I love her to pieces, even though I'm mostly afraid to touch her.
Each time I come down to visit my dad and Lacey, I notice how she's changed. Yes, she's an old lady, she has a lot more trouble getting up and laying down, but she still runs (as best she can) to greet my dad (or anyone else) when they come in the door...assuming she can hear them, of course. The last few months, she has really deteriorated. She's losing weight and some of her hair. The ridges of her spine are palpable, and yet, she still follows people (namely my dad, my sister, or myself) around when she sees us.
B and I found her a sweater, and we brought it down for her this time. I put it on her yesterday, and she looks adorable, if I do say so myself. It hides some of the larger issues she has, and keeps the old girl warm too! Like most cockers, she has developed a habit of having seizures as she's gotten older. I've only been around for a few; I realize now that my dad has shielded my sister and myself from some of the harder issues dealing with Lacey, but today I was standing right next to her when she lost control.
She kept trying to get up, but she just couldn't...so I got down on the floor next to her and loved on her until she could move. I was so grateful that the boys were in the other room when it happened, but B was standing right next to me when she started sneezing a little later. With each sneeze, blood spattered the floor in the kitchen. I sat down and held her, and carefully wiped her mouth. A growth I had never noticed before, next to her mouth, was bleeding.
A little later, I was dusting the furniture in my dad's room, when I looked over and saw another growth bleeding...right above her eye, making it hard for her to see. I sat down next to her again, and called for N to bring me a towel. He came in, saw me crying, and was immediately concerned. B came running in, and I sent him for a box of tissues. We all just sat there with my sweet Lacey Lou Wigglebutt, and I cried while they asked me if she was going to die.
The truth is, I know she's going to...I just don't know when. I'm scared that each time I leave will be the last time I see her. Everytime I see her struggle to stand, I wonder how much she's actually hurting. I wish she could just tell us. I wish we could avoid her being in pain. I know she's had a long, well-loved life, but I selfishly wish she were still a little girl instead of an old lady.
I know my sister and I have both told my dad that we're okay with putting her to sleep if it's her time, and that we trust him to make that decision. I know he's hesitant to do so because they're best friends. They've been together for the entire time that we've had her, and his life will be so empty without her.
Lacey is, without a doubt, the best dog I've ever known. I know everyone says that about their pet, but it's true. She's just a big sweetheart, such a caring little pup. I love her to pieces, and I know it will be hard losing her. I hope she's loved being around us as much as we've loved her...
Aubs
(Last Thanksgiving. I'm hesitant to post a picture from this year, but she is sooo different.)
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