If my son’s bedroom smells a bit doggy, it’s because our poodle sleeps there, too.
Every night Merlin curls up at the foot of the bed, and won’t move until my son puts one toe on the ground. It doesn’t matter what meaty treat you tempt Merlin with, he won’t leave his boy.
Merlin’s devotion is a big deal for us because my son, like so many kids, has never been an easy sleeper. Black-out blinds, softer sheets, sleep CDs — we tried everything to help my son fall asleep, but nothing worked. Then we got Merlin. Boom! Problem solved. It’s like poodle melatonin.
Poodles have a reputation for being smart, but there always has to be some deviation to the bell curve. Merlin doesn’t know any tricks, but what he lacks in brains he makes up for in a sweet disposition. I just wish I could help Merlin understand that when his back hurts, he should take it easy.
One day this spring we came home from running errands and Merlin didn’t bark his usual greeting. When we let him out of his crate, Merlin yelped and cried.
My son felt Merlin’s misery as if it was his own. He knew as I did that Merlin had a history of back problems and might have slipped a disc. The last time that happened Merlin needed narcotics, muscle relaxants and bed rest. It was either that or a $5,000 surgery that may or may not have been successful.
This March, we rushed Merlin to the vet once again. My son harnessed enormous willpower to stay calm and smile bravely so that he could be strong for Merlin. My daughter held my purse, made a poodle-nest of blankets in the waiting room and handed my credit card to the office staff.
My daughter was all about efficiency and staying calm in a crisis, even at 7 years old. My son was a walking heartbreak, the manifestation of deep love between boy and dog.
Merlin got the good drugs. The type that zonked him out of his poodle mind so that even though he was whimpering, at least he was asleep. The next morning we hand-fed Merlin treats, and let him lick water off our palms because it was too painful for him to bend his neck into a water dish.
The situation remained grim for 48 hours, and I knew that at any moment Merlin could lose control of his legs and we might need to rush him to the animal hospital and face a serious decision. But Merlin pulled through, and now, a couple of weeks later is back to his poodle-spinning ways.
Every dog is unique, but this story of injury, vets and the possibility of disaster is something all pet owners face. Plus, the unevenness of how family members react. Are we cool efficiency or bleeding heart? And for the fur-baby, the most important question of all is, who wields the credit card?
Jennifer Bardsley is author of the books “Genesis Girl” and “Damaged Goods.” Find her online on Instagram @the_ya_gal, on Twitter @jennbardsley or on Facebook as The YA Gal.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
