For the last couple days Nikko has been weirding me out. She has been in a state of canine agitation. If we were sitting in the veterinarian's office she couldn't be more agitated - panting, shaking, grafting herself to me whenever possible and barking for help. I found her under the bed the other day and she has disappeared on me twice. Last night she woke me up, shaking and panting, trying to get under the covers. This morning she was like a baby with colic and wanted nothing more than to be carried.
Years and years ago Nikko got in the way of a practice golf swing by Gabe. Purely accidental but apparently seriously traumatic since to this day you can't show Nikko a golf club and her ears go down tight, she shivers, pants and sticks herself to the back of my legs. This is what her behavior has been reminding me of. It looks like fear rather than anything physical.
The smoke detector in our bedroom had a low battery and for the last couple days has been chirping. I noticed that whenever it chirped Nikko jumped. Then it seemed as if her anxiety increased. This morning Paul changed the battery, no more chirping. Nikko is calmly curled up on the chair sleeping. I've also been wondering lately if her vision is getting bad. It seems as if she is more hesitant lately.
It occurs to me that we rarely see a complete life cycle. Except in our pets. It is exceptional when we share a life from both ends - birth through death. In our parents we see the end and in our children we see the beginning. Very few of us have friendships where we see their birth and their death. At least in our society. My mind is trying to think of examples where that would happen and of course there are parents who have lost children, or other family members who had an unusually shortened life, but I don't think that is the norm for us.
I first met Nikko a few weeks after birth - the bully of the litter. She was an excuberent puppy, a challenging adolescent, and a marvelously happy adult. As she ages it is almost like she is a new dog - I have no idea what little quirk is going to arise next, the continuity is fading and the most I can expect is the unexpected. I keeps me on my toes and at my age that is not a bad thing.
Yours truly,
the Elf
2 comments:
Ohh, poor Nikko, poor you.
When she does go, I hope it's peaceful. It's kinda cool that you've witnessed her WHOLE life.
In the meantime, keep your smoke detectors batteries fresh...
I love that dog, and I think everything she does is adorable--but I don't live with her full time. I remember carrying her around like a little sister when she was little! and she is by far the best sleeping buddy ever. And she loves me! And I love her. and now I'm a little tearful. I HAVE TO GO!
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