Friday, December 12, 2008

He's Really Slowing Down...

I love this dog. Koshimi is my very very old Shiba Inu who has been showing his age more and more of late. Last night I was out at a business dinner and when I returned home, Koshimi was sitting in his favorite little bed looking like he had a stroke or something. His head is sort of cocked to one side a little. Maybe its just his stiff joints in the cool damp beach air. Hopefully when we get back to the desert today he will be better. But to be sure, I decided to sleep on the floor with him overnight, just curled up to be with him. I think even Sheldon and Owen understand their brother is getting close to his final days. As long as he seems happy, eats and drinks on his own, and shows a glimmer in his eye...This photo is from a few months ago when we drove up to Sonoma wine country, he enjoyed that road trip a lot (see photo below)

I'll keep you posted with his progress.
-Rick Rockhill

18 comments:

Cathy, Let's Dance! said...

oh Rick, so sad, I know you are treasuring all the moments you have left with him and it sounds like he is doing the same.

Anonymous said...

Please keep us posted on Koshimi. Enjoy your time with him and make it count.

Big hugs and a belly rub for K...

Odat said...

Awwwwwwwwwwww.......you're doing the best you can for the poor lil guy......My lil pug dog is 7 and getting arthritis and I treat him like a king....i give him massages and make sure he's warm......funny they don't really know they hurt...they just keep on going as if nothing is wrong......I'm glad Kishimi is still happy and has a "glimmer in his eye".....Just keep on loving him!!!!
Peace

A Lewis said...

Such a horribly handsome devil, he is. Ahh, I hate to hear of the struggles of later life for any of us. Give him a GIANT BIG HUGE KISS right on the top of his head for me, please...don't forget now.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

hugs to you too rick...

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxooxxox

Biddie said...

Please do keep up posted. He is such a handsome devil. I will be thinking of you :)

Karelian Blonde said...

Herat breaking but unfortunately unavoidable, dying that is. BIG HUG to all of you!

Rhodester said...

Aw, Koshimi! **pats on head** tis difficult when the old pals enter the twilight.

Olivia said...

I am very sorry to hear about what's happening with Koshimi. But I know that he will pass his final days in true happiness and love with his little family.

Do give him a scratch behind the ears for me.

lime said...

aww poor koshimi. hugs to him...and you.

Matt said...

Aw, Rick ... Koshimi is quite handsome and adorable, like his dad. Just give him tons of love. The time will come when it will, but you two can enjoy each other for quite a while longer still.

Hug from Seattle.

Anonymous said...

=(
Hope Koshimi is okay.

Anonymous said...

Hugs to all of you. I have a few stories but I am too sad to write right now and share them! They are never just dogs, are they?

Cathy, Let's Dance! said...

I just received this and thought you might like to read it or use it as a future post!

I rescued a human today.
Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering
apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew
I had to help her.

I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she
wouldn't be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view
from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want
her to know that I hadn't been walked today.

Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about
my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make
a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made
little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my
neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her
cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I
instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I
would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do
everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her
eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many
more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more tobe saved. At least I could save one.

snowelf said...

Rick,

Kishimi is such a gorgeous dog. It's so difficult to see a pet wind down. I'd love you to share more stories about him with us. :)

hugs to both of you,
--snow

Casdok said...

Hes gorgous. Hope the change of air helps.
Give him a hug from me.

Rhodester said...

W.O.T.E., that is awesome! I'd love to post that on my own blog, but I almost never post anything I didn't write myself. But I did shoot it off via email to a friend who runs an animal rescue, knowing she'd love it.

Do you know where it came from and who the author is?

Anonymous said...

Rick, so sorry to read of your loss. I enjoy reading your blog and wanted to send you my condolences.

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