Tuesday, July 1, 2014

An inauspicious start of the day. I was awakened by Lucy’s bark. She was at the foot of the stairs and needed help getting back upstairs. Rob joined me and explained that he had been up with Lucy through the night. It was a tough ending to her special birthday. She had had the runs and needed to be let out very 2 hours. It was only 4:30 AM. It was then that I discovered where she had last relieved herself: on the bathroom mat over the tile floor. No better place at all. I took up the mat. Rob put it in the yard, and I wiped the floor with Lysol. This would have to do until morning.

I decided to stay downstairs with her, just in case she needed to go out again. My pallet was limited. As Lucy chose the Mutt Mat, I chose the dog bed. I listened throughout the night for her breathing and was satisfied that all was well. I only hoped Valentino was also sleeping soundly upstairs.

Mom called once at around 5:30 AM—her familiar cry: Sandy! I looked in, but she seemed to be sleeping. I let it go.

I didn’t sleep after Lucy’s crisis. I only listened and planned: Would I take her to the vet? Which vet: ours in Pottstown 45 minute away or the local vet? When Betty calls at 7:00 AM, would I tell her I would not take the kids for a walk but let them out in the yard? Or would we go for our customary walk? Did I have rice in the cupboard? Would I ask Betty to bring a cup of rice? Would I try to get some sleep later? Should I just get up and work—my latest assignment deadline having been moved up from July 6 to July 3? Did I just hear Valentino? Or was that mom? And so it went.

Betty and I did walk the pups. And I cooked the rice and hosed off the bath mat in the yard. I need time in the yard.

Even with little sleep, I must tend to mom.