WATCHING ME WATCHING HIM

                    "I was looking back to see
                      If you were looking back to see
                      If I was looking back to see
                      If you were looking back at me."

As the old "country" song goes. 

For those of you thinking I am describing a romantic parting, I apologize. Nothing nearly as much fun. This involves my dog. The two of us  are playing a watching game these days.  

Mighty had to have additional surgery on his eye. That made it surgery #3 in a month's time. He had a couple reversals in what is usually a long haul recovery.   

While he has been really good about not messing with the bad eye and damaging the variety of stitch work, he has instead become obsessed with his feet. He has always been the occasional  foot licker, not an uncommon doggie obsession. Lately however,he would lick them to the bone if at all possible. He had licked a really deep, raw spot. The vet thinks he is transferring his anxiety to his feet. 

I was feeling pretty helpless about his eye not healing quickly and just wanted to do something proactive to help. I thought that perhaps I could handle this foot fetish.

   

At first a gentle "No"  was enough to interrupt the incessant licking.  One "No" was never enough however. I had to watch him constantly, yet keep my "No" gentle so as not to stress him further.  That is when I noticed he was watching me to see if I were watching him. 

We were like a pair of old boxers circling the ring, warily keeping an eye on each other, looking for a weakness. Whenever I'd leave a room with him comfortably resting on the couch or bed, I'd give it a few minutes then peek around the corner. Sure enough, he would have his eyes glued to the door way trying to determine if I had really left or was faking it. 

The good eye is the glowing one.

Those times he was convinced it was safe, I would catch him attacking his feet with a vengeance. A regular foot junkie. 

The vet tried medication but that turned him into a drunken zombie. We tried the Elizabethan collar (the doggie head cone) but he kept frantically banging his head to get rid of it and that was too dangerous for his eye.  I tried Bitter Apple spray only to find he kind of liked it. Any dog that eats poop has little problem with bitter apples. Did I mention he is a lousy patient? Anyway, I think I now have the problem solved.

Since I couldn't find any 12 step programs for doggy foot lickers, I decided that instead of making his life one long negative like a curious two year old child, I'd try distracting him out of the licking compulsion in a positive manner. 

First I make sure he gets lots of outside time to combat boredom which is a huge part of the problem.  However when he returns from outside, it is prime licking time. While we watch the sample showing of the new Dog TV channel, I just pet him gently till he falls asleep. Truthfully that new channel is so bland and with soft new age music that I almost fall asleep.  

This approach successfully distracts him from the need to lick. Each session takes about 20 minutes but so far we are batting a thousand. The raw spot is healing. It is just a good thing I don't have a life. 

Hopefully in time this will break the cycle.  At least he is enjoying the approach and I don't feel like such an negative Nelly. Perhaps I have stumbled upon something that drug rehab facilities could use.  When the addict feels the craving, bring on a masseuse and tune in Dog TV. Hey, might work and it sure can't hurt.    

For now I am loving the fact his eye has healed to the point that he now feels the desire to do his happy dance over food or going outside. He has resumed his slow motion chasing of  bunnies, making grasshoppers hop and searching the yard incessantly for worm jerky, grubs or rabbit droppings. Yum. 

Friday the vet unstitched his eyelids and he is looking less like a cranky pirate. 
Dr. Matt says we are not out of the woods yet but on the right trail. 

I know with his age, 16 plus people years, that we are on borrowed time. However each day lately seems to bring him back closer to his old charming self.  I'll take what I can get and am ever grateful for this long life of his we have all ready shared.  

For now, all is good. If you can, send my little guy good thoughts, not so much that he lives for many more years, but just that what ever time he has left continues to provide him pleasure, interest and freedom from stress.  We thank you.