She recently has been to the vet who found that she has arthritis in both her back hips, she’s losing her hearing (quickly it seems), and she’s starting to lose her eyesight. She’s also got asthmatic bronchitis, OCD (osteochondritis) in her shoulder, and more arthritis in her elbow. Meanwhile, she’s got babies to share her attention with. We are moving…yet again. Her world around her is just so uncertain these days. She seems to put up with everything so well, but yet, she’s getting old and things are going to get harder and harder for her to deal with. I’m just hoping the new house has a yard she can get some energy out in. She doesnt’ have much time left in her before she won’t be able to take advantage of the freedom of a fenced in back yard. We don’t have one in this house adn she really needs one. She may not be able to run like she wants to, but she’ll have the freedom to do whatever she’s capable of then. Skye can also get some bottled up energy out. She needs to so badly! She’s young enough where she’s got a few years left of that energy to burn off.

I just hope that Sparky is able to deal with all this change a little longer. I’m going to miss her sooooo terribly much when she passes. That time is getting nearer and I’m so afraid of it. I don’t know how well I will be able to handle it. She was my first baby. We shared so much together.I taught her so much, and she taught me in return. She’s so special to me, but these days I have not been able to show it. I know this hurts her. I know she doesn’t understand what’s really going on here. She is not very baby friendly, but she’s doing her best to respect their existence here. I’m so proud of her for getting this far. She’s trusting me so much that i will not smack her around the babies like her first family did. I would never hurt her. She does act up around them unfortunately though. She’s never hurt them, but she’s gotten snippy towards them and I let her know I do not like that behavior. I just keep in mind how she’s refraining from doing anything more than a snip in the air. I dont’ let her stay around them alone at least. Skye, loves these boys and has been a angel around them. I’m not worried about her. I’m actually more concerned with her pruning them than biting.

Every day, however, I do try to give Sparky some attention to remind her that she is still special to me. I jsut hope she sees that she is so dear to me. I love her so much!