At 10 PM I begin the night shift. This job requires, and/or is not limited to: letting the dog out, bringing the dog in, watching that the dog is safe and does not wander into a corner and become lost, taking the dog out, bringing the dog back inside, moving my legs out of the way so the dog can sleep there when she wants to, cleaning up poop (in case I'm not pawed awake and she has no choice), cleaning up pee (same), taking the dog out, bringing the dog in, searching for the dog in the middle of the night to make sure I did not leave her out and fall asleep (haven't yet), making sure she does not fall off the bed, googling her issue of the day while trying to stay awake until I hear her bark to come back inside, cleaning up vomit, taking the dog out, bringing the dog in, etc. etc. etc.
At 9:00 AM. After coffee, God-time, and breakfast, I finish up my shift. Kinda. It takes 3 to 4 bags, and around the pool, I go looking for her night-time poops. I examine them to make sure they are healthy-looking. Then I dispose of them. If worms are found, It's off to the vet we go for medications. If her stool is funky-looking, I purpose to clean up her diet.
Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5PM, my job is not finished. I need to monitor the dog. If her eyes look weird and her head is tilted, it's time for another vet visit. Note: AC in the car does not stay cold after sitting for 2 1/2 hours in the hot sun. (Covid restricts us from going inside) So we wait. Outside. In the heat of the day. When the AC wanes, it is my job to get the dog out of the car and take her to the nearby shade of a tree and don't forget the water. Not for me, for her. She needs to stay hydrated. It's my job. Oh, and I mustn't forget my debit card. This one will be a whopper of an invoice. It was.
Update: After injections for some type of inner ear thing again, Gracie is doing much better. She's hearing and seeing better, and her weird eyes look normal now. She still needs her multiple outside visits from dusk till dawn, but, at least she can somewhat see me waving the flashlight for her to come in the right door.
Today is a good day for her. We never know though, what tomorrow may bring.
#LoveMyDog
