Wishbone Photography

Becca and I potentially are witnessing the circle of life coming ’round the bend with our 10-year-old chocolate Labrador Retriever, “Jessie.” This past week, she was preliminarily diagnosed as experiencing the beginning of canine cognitive disorder, or doggy dementia.

In recent months, Jessie has become increasingly anxious. She has whined incessantly, usually at intolerably high pitches. She has become a bit restless and has made several messes in the house. Frankly, the situation was causing tension and aggravation for Becca and I, because we did not understand why her behaviors had changed, and in the bustle of life — careers, Wishbone Photography business and volunteerism, responsibilities with toddler son — it took a lot of energy to find extra patience for her.

Was Jessie finally acting out about Taos being our priority? After all, there was a time nine years ago when Jessie had Becca to herself. Then I came along. Then “Max.” Then Taos. Jessie has moved five times. She has lived through a number of job, schedule and daily routine changes in the household. And I often come home with the scents of other dogs on my clothes after work at my day job (Purina) or photography sessions on the weekends (Wishbone). In short, our sweet chocolate girl has been quite adaptable, but also has cause to finally say, “enough already.”

Also noteworthy, Jessie is aging. She has generally been a quite healthy dog that eats, exercises and rests well. So, until recently, Becca and I were at wit’s end about the changes in Jessie’s behavior. Life is busy, and we have made necessary compromises — no longer can we spend endless time on state park trail walks with the dogs. Each person and dog gets his or her needs tended to, but Jessie’s actions made her difficult to love at a time when we simply felt spread thin already. The well of patience she was requiring was not easy to find. View full post »