only child syndrome…
Shiner’s been acting strange for about six weeks now. I know this because he’s had the same routine for close to eleven years.
- He sleeps in till about 8 every morning
- He frollicks in the backyard for only 15 minutes at a time, then trots back inside.
- He sleeps most of the day with a snore louder than a stock car engine.
- He takes himself to bed at 8:15 every night like clockwork.
Shiner’s strange behavior includes:
- Begging all the time
- Acting like he’s starved (which is untrue since he weighs 110 pounds)
- His hair was falling out in clumps
- He would whimper (and he never whimpers)
At first I figured his eleven year old body was finally catching up with him. He was just acting stranger than normal… but the behavior was getting worse.
I called Mr. Weekly Bite thinking the worst. I mean the dog is eleven after all. Mr. Weekly Bite said to call the vet immediately. The vet said to bring him in right away.
I packed M up and helped Shiner jump in the back of my jeep. I dropped him off at 9 a.m.
It was 3 p.m. and still no news. I called the vet. They were still running tests.
I finally get a call close to 7 p.m. The vet said they’d like to discuss Shiner’s diagnosis with me.
I drive to the vet’s expecting the worst. Crazy thoughts were racing through my head.
I sit patiently in the waiting room with M on my lap. The vet approaches me and says….
“There’s absolutely nothing wrong with your dog. Shiner’s the healthiest eleven-year-old we’ve ever seen.
Shiner’s problem is sitting on your lap. He’s got ‘only child syndrome’ “
Whaaaaaa?!!!
Lesson of the Day: Never neglect your first child 😉
Oh, my goodness!! I’m happy that everything is good with Shiner, but awww…poor little guy just wants that good ole love and attention of being the only one! Well, at least this was one way to get your attention, huh? 🙂
i have no idea how our dogs will react when we have kiddos…they are SO SPOILED!
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh. So happy he’s okay. Poor little guy just needs some lovin’!
Our dog shows precisely the same symptoms at the ripe old age of 5. We’ve also attributed this to changes in our household resulting from our first child, now nearly 2. Poor little guy. He is not only (somewhat) neglected, but he is endlessly harassed by our active toddler. The shedding is unbelievable! So, I feel your, and Shiner’s, pain. A good reminder to take our pup for a nice, long walk.
Yes! We now make the effort to take Shiner for daily long walks. He loves it and is much happier 🙂
Yep, that sounds about right! My sister just got a puppy and has a two year old dog that she has spoiled to death…things are not going well so far with the introduction. I am sorry that Shiner is having a hard time, but happy that things are ok!
Ohhhh, how I wish our dogs would sleep in until 8:00! Sometimes they’re up and at ’em at 5 am!
So glad he’s okay!!!
This is EXACTLY what is happening in our house, too! We have a 6 year old yellow lab – except he jumps up in the morning to the sound of baby girl waking up…but then he does EVERYTHING else you just talked about. He only wants to stay outside 15 minutes or less and he’s OUT by 6 pm though. 🙂 I feel SO bad. OH – and my 16th old LOVES him and is all over him too! 🙂 GREAT post!
awww that isn’t such a bad problem to have! 🙂
Awwww…poor Shiner! At least it wasn’t anything serious! 🙂
Poor guy!! Glad to hear he’s healthy, even if he’s feeling jealous of M. 🙂
He’s not named after the shiner I think he is… is he?!
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