25 November

Red Can’t Move His Legs

by Jon Katz

This afternoon, in the pasture, Red fell suddenly to the ground, I saw that he could not move his hind legs at all, they were splayed out behind him.

He struggled to get to his feet, but could not, Maria and I carried him into the farmhouse, where he has been lying still by my side in my study.

My heart was broken for Red, a dog of great dignity, even while lying immobile on the ground, he still wouldn’t take his eyes off of the sheep.

He whimpers from time to time this afternoon and tonight, but is otherwise still. I don’t know what is wrong with Red, I am wary of amateur diagnoses, but when this happened for a minute or two a few weeks ago, we considered it to be an outbreak of his arthritis.

Another possibility was degenerative myelopathy, a disease that primarily affects purebred older dogs. The symptoms are precisely the same, paralysis in the hind legs.

There is an emergency clinic an hour away, but I am not comfortable bringing Red there and leaving him.

We will take him to our regular vet, Dr. Suzanne Fariello, in the morning. She knows Red, has saved his life and studied his bone structure.

Red is the most stoic of dogs, he just wants to lie by my side. If this is a myelopathy, it might recover for certain periods of time. The disease is not curable.

Red is whimpering intermittently, that is the first I’ve ever heard him do that. Bud is frantic, and is sitting alongside of Red. Fate has sniffed him a few times she is staying away.

If there is any news tomorrow, I’ll share it openly, as always. I do not need advice – I am in touch with professionals – and do not follow the advice of amateur diagnosticians online, although I do appreciate the concern of others.

I understand that Red is not just my dog, he belongs in part to a lot of people. But I am his steward and he is my responsibility and I will do what is best for him, after hearing the best advice and studying the best choices and information available to me, and Maria.

Red and I are very much connected to one another.

When he nearly died from four tick-borne diseases last year, I thought he was dying, but I felt he was clearly signaling me that his work wasn’t done here in this life, he was not ready to die.

And he recovered.

I am no animal communicator, but I do talk to Red and hear him and listen to him. And he certainly listens to me.

Hopefully, he will rebound and recover the  use of his legs, at least for a while.

I take full responsibility for whatever medical and other decisions need to made on behalf of Red. I expect him to be moving around in the morning. If not, we will decide what to do. Red may belong to a lot of people, but these decisions are mine.

Red has done an extraordinary amount of good in his life, for me, and for others, and my wish is that he have more time to live here with us.

If that can’t be, I will accept that also and give thanks for the blessing of knowing this wonderful creature.

Red is a remarkable animal, and I accept that I will never know another dog or companion quite like him, no matter what happens. How lucky to have been given a dog like that.

If he has to go, it will be quickly and in comfort and surrounded by love. I am nothing but grateful for him.

I called Dr. Karen Thompson, the wonderful friend and breeder who gave Red to me and told her this news. She is going to pray for him. I won’t be writing about this again until the issue is resolved. Thanks for your interest and support.

It does mean a lot to me.

62 Comments

  1. All best to you, Maria, and Red. A few weeks back, something very similar occurred with our King Shepherd, Sombra. At first, our vet and the neurologist we consulted thought that Sombra had suffered a stroke. Her prognosis for partial recovery was good and we were sent home with prednisone and another pain medication. Initially, Sombra did great, exceeding the neurologist’s forecast and fueling our hopes. As I dialed back the prednisone, Sombra regressed. At first, it was gradual and then it was a full-on tailspin. Degenerative myelopathy had always been a possibility but at our last appointment with Sombra, the vet explained that some forms of cancer respond amazingly well to the initial doses of prednisone until the cancer finds the medication’s back door. We made the call to let our beloved Sombra go. We were down on the floor of the clinic and Sombra seemed comforted that her head was on my lap and that I was gently stroking her. “This body is done and you need to find a new one. We are so very thankful for our time with you, dear girl. Come back to us.” It was a hard couple of weeks and we miss Sombra greatly. At the same time, we take comfort in something I read in one of your books, Jon — something like “animals come into our lives when we need them and they leave when their work is done.”

    1. Nothing to say other than we are thinking about you and saying prayers for Red. So hope there is something that can be done, but if not, know what a wonderful life Red has had because of your devoted love for him. How lucky could a dog be!

  2. I’m so sorry to hear about Red. The photo was heartbreaking…. especially the expression on Bud’s face. My thoughts are with all of you and especially with red. Praying for his comfort. What a special dog he is.

  3. My thoughts are with all of you, Jon and Maria, and Bud and Fate.
    I hope you get the answers you all deserve about Red. I am sure there are many many people praying for you all.
    Take care during this difficult time.. Hang in there Red… You are a very special dog.

  4. DI am so sorry to hear about Red. This happened to my order collie a year and a half ago at the age of eleven. I met Red at one of your open houses and again at the bookstore. He is a special dog.

  5. Sending Red, you & Maria, as well as Bud and Fate, prayers. You have an extraordinary sensitivity for Red, as well as a vet you trust.

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