The Tale of Luna

It has been around six weeks since we found out Luna had cancer and we weren’t very optimistic, to say the least.

A fairly new drug, specifically for dogs, turned our frown upside down. Palladia (chemo in pill form) has shrunk her tumor by 66% and as you can imagine, we are thrilled.

It’s kind of interesting, at least to me. I had thought I retired from the care taking business but it found me yet again.

Im a firm believer that the ability for me to be home with Luna all of the time creates less stress, coupled with the fact that she never, I mean NEVER hears the word NO.

This brings me to my next point about being a Caretaker for Luna. You wouldn’t think it would be a big deal. How tough could it be? Well, let me tell you, it is exhausting like you wouldn’t believe. The minute she wakes up, I am her B- – – h. You could say it’s kind of a reversal of roles. She needs -scratch that, wants my attention every waking moment (and even her non waking moments). She senses when I walk away to do something that might have to do with her. She knows it.

Laundry piles up, dishes go undone, Beautycounter is pushed to the back burner and cooking becomes a real pain.

Look… I’m not in any way,  shape,  or form comparing taking care of my dog to the same as taking care of a human being. I’ve done both so I think I have clearance to say that it is difficult, frustrating, and exhausting. Oh - I forgot to mention my guilt when I am honest about how I feel because I should be grateful she is still here and that there is a decent chance she will still be here four years from now. I have times where I want to sit down and cry as my life melds into my dogs. Going away is an option that exists only in my mind, not in reality.

Did I mention many nights she sleeps in bed with us? Did I mention she weighs one hundred pounds and takes up a lot of space? Sleeping through the night is a thing of the past, but then again… I’ve been known to wake up in the middle of the night. When you are really worried about your dog getting enough sleep, your own sleep is unimportant.

In a couple of weeks Rick will take care of Luna while I go to California for a family reunion. At this time it’s the only solution, until I learn to hand the reigns over to someone else.

For now, as they say, we will keep on keepin’ on. I will learn to manage my time better and maybe even use the “no word” now and again.