Post by goldenmyst on May 21, 2019 22:28:57 GMT -6
Ruthie's Episode
My entrance into the bedroom finds Ruthie on the floor with her legs flapping madly as she rolls. My first suspicion is that she is choking on something she swallowed. So I pick her flailing body up and put her on the mattress. My false assumption that she is choking leads me to check her mouth for obstructions. By this time she has salivated tremendously with her eyes glazed and her tongue sticking out motionless. To my way of thinking she looks dead. But quickly she revives to her close to normal self. My relief is huge and I can breathe again along with her. She hops off the bed and wanders aimlessly around the floor. For the next few days, she wanders the house as though seeking a grail which eludes her. But often she approaches the back door which is her request for release into the backyard. I watch her circle the backyard fence. She gazes up at birds, the sky, and the trees like a mystic seeking the beauty of nature because life is short. My realization comes fast and certain that Ruthie has had a seizure.
Ruthie says, “John, the world is at a strange angle lately. And there is a piece of time which is blank like a gap has been created which I cannot fill. Do you know what happened when time stood still?”
I reply, “Ruthie, you had an episode. But that was over a week ago and thank God you are back to normal.”
She says, “What was I doing when this event occurred?”
I reply, “Your legs were flapping around and you were in another world.”
Ruthie says, “Please tell me the whole story. I can take it.”
I reply, “Your eyes were foggy, you frothed at the mouth, and your tongue was still. But I don’t want to worry you. If it ever happens again to the vet doctor you go.”
Ruthie asks, “What caused me to go into this bizarre state? I’ve never lost my memory like this.”
I reply, “Normally dogs get epilepsy by the age of six if it is genetic. You are much older. So it is more likely you may have bumped your head or licked something toxic.”
Ruthie says, “John, you’re holding back. What else could bring it about? Please be upfront with me. I need to know the whole story.”
I reply, “Well in the worst case it could be a brain tumor. But they checked you for cancer just a few months ago and found no evidence of it. And you haven’t had another seizure in a long time. If they give you medicine for it you have to take the meds for the rest of your life since taking you off can cause seizures even if you aren’t prone to them. If you don’t have a seizure for a month then you are ok from what I’ve read. But if it ever happens again you will be taken to the doctor so fast it will make your head spin.”
Ruthie says, “You see me roam the house like a lost soul. Am I lost John?”
I reply, “Not all who wander off the path are lost.”
Ruthie says, “Give me a rawhide bone and my wandering will find purpose. Everyone needs a reason to seek in life.”
I reply, “Why settle for one bone when there are three in the package and six altogether in two bags?”
Ruthie says, “You know the way to my canine heart. Now I have a trail to follow. My kingdom for a bone!”
I reply, “Ruthie, did you mind me coddling you these past days by lying beside you on the bed with the cool air blowing? I don’t want you to feel put upon by my constant attention.”
Ruthie says, “Honey, a girl could get spoiled by all your loving. Just let me outside when the notion comes and you can pet me from here to kingdom come. But John, why were you crying, poking my tummy, and telling me I have a right to life?”
I say, “Because no one is going to put you to sleep under my watch.”
Ruthie replies, “What does that mean to put me to sleep?”
I say, “Ruthie, the only kind of sleep you’ll have is at night on your bed to dream. Trust me.”
Ruthie says, “I do believe in you, John. Now let’s go to bed.”
I reply, “Ma’am you are forever the lady of the house.”
Ruthie says, “Drop the Ma’am and just call me your honeybun.”
My entrance into the bedroom finds Ruthie on the floor with her legs flapping madly as she rolls. My first suspicion is that she is choking on something she swallowed. So I pick her flailing body up and put her on the mattress. My false assumption that she is choking leads me to check her mouth for obstructions. By this time she has salivated tremendously with her eyes glazed and her tongue sticking out motionless. To my way of thinking she looks dead. But quickly she revives to her close to normal self. My relief is huge and I can breathe again along with her. She hops off the bed and wanders aimlessly around the floor. For the next few days, she wanders the house as though seeking a grail which eludes her. But often she approaches the back door which is her request for release into the backyard. I watch her circle the backyard fence. She gazes up at birds, the sky, and the trees like a mystic seeking the beauty of nature because life is short. My realization comes fast and certain that Ruthie has had a seizure.
Ruthie says, “John, the world is at a strange angle lately. And there is a piece of time which is blank like a gap has been created which I cannot fill. Do you know what happened when time stood still?”
I reply, “Ruthie, you had an episode. But that was over a week ago and thank God you are back to normal.”
She says, “What was I doing when this event occurred?”
I reply, “Your legs were flapping around and you were in another world.”
Ruthie says, “Please tell me the whole story. I can take it.”
I reply, “Your eyes were foggy, you frothed at the mouth, and your tongue was still. But I don’t want to worry you. If it ever happens again to the vet doctor you go.”
Ruthie asks, “What caused me to go into this bizarre state? I’ve never lost my memory like this.”
I reply, “Normally dogs get epilepsy by the age of six if it is genetic. You are much older. So it is more likely you may have bumped your head or licked something toxic.”
Ruthie says, “John, you’re holding back. What else could bring it about? Please be upfront with me. I need to know the whole story.”
I reply, “Well in the worst case it could be a brain tumor. But they checked you for cancer just a few months ago and found no evidence of it. And you haven’t had another seizure in a long time. If they give you medicine for it you have to take the meds for the rest of your life since taking you off can cause seizures even if you aren’t prone to them. If you don’t have a seizure for a month then you are ok from what I’ve read. But if it ever happens again you will be taken to the doctor so fast it will make your head spin.”
Ruthie says, “You see me roam the house like a lost soul. Am I lost John?”
I reply, “Not all who wander off the path are lost.”
Ruthie says, “Give me a rawhide bone and my wandering will find purpose. Everyone needs a reason to seek in life.”
I reply, “Why settle for one bone when there are three in the package and six altogether in two bags?”
Ruthie says, “You know the way to my canine heart. Now I have a trail to follow. My kingdom for a bone!”
I reply, “Ruthie, did you mind me coddling you these past days by lying beside you on the bed with the cool air blowing? I don’t want you to feel put upon by my constant attention.”
Ruthie says, “Honey, a girl could get spoiled by all your loving. Just let me outside when the notion comes and you can pet me from here to kingdom come. But John, why were you crying, poking my tummy, and telling me I have a right to life?”
I say, “Because no one is going to put you to sleep under my watch.”
Ruthie replies, “What does that mean to put me to sleep?”
I say, “Ruthie, the only kind of sleep you’ll have is at night on your bed to dream. Trust me.”
Ruthie says, “I do believe in you, John. Now let’s go to bed.”
I reply, “Ma’am you are forever the lady of the house.”
Ruthie says, “Drop the Ma’am and just call me your honeybun.”
