Jasper and Me

This is Jasper doing his lying on the floor Hi5.

He is funny, sort-of-smart, cuddly, affectionate, stubborn and typically omnivorous. He has never bitten any person, or any other animal.

I got him from the Manukau pound, where he was on death row. He had been found wandering in south Auckland – a fit, happy, neutered black Lab – technically worth about $1,500. Nobody claimed him.

I got Jaz for $50 after they cleared up his kennel cough and released him. He leapt into my car in a flash, and as I drove away, I felt a gentle pressure on my left shoulder from the back seat, his chin – ‘thanks for getting me out of here.’

Fast-forward 10 years. Last Monday he wasn’t the same in the morning. Normally he would be wide-awake at 7.30 on the dot, knocking on the door, demanding breakfast and wagging his tail like crazy.

This time, he was limping, and in pain, couldn’t raise his head and wasn’t even interested in food. This was the second time this happened. A week previously he was slow and painful, but that time, after an hour or two he had resumed his normal joie de vivre.

This time was different. I took him to the vet that day. Hmmm. Not sure, said the Vet. Maybe arthritis, or slipped disc?
$1700 later (X-rays of neck, thorax, spine and hips; bloods tests.)

Still no definite diagnosis. Bloods normal. X-rays showed arthritic changes in the thoracic spine and right elbow. Rx anti-inflammatory tabs, antibiotics (for ear infection), injection for arthritis.

Today: perky and happy. Eating as normal. But, took him for a walk just now – slow and plodding, but still fascinated by every olfactory distraction at ground level. He was in some discomfort getting up the steps on return home.
Right now, he’s on his dog bed, snoring softly. Another day gone.