Pet Tips

Sadly, today’s topic hit me squarely this holiday season. Cooper’s hearing is suddenly gone, with no previous signs of gradual loss. Sure, at 11, he’s not as quick to get up these days, but mention "cookie,” or "go for a walk” and he’d spring to attention, as recently as 10 days ago. We’re holding hope that his sudden loss is temporary and related to antibiotics, prescribed in mid-December by his vet for an ear infection. The timing seems too coincidental and he’s shown no other changes. But, temporary hearing loss would be quite unusual. So, we’re preparing. We discovered this on Christmas with a crude test (clapping and making other startling noises behind him with no reaction), then turned to the Internet. Apparently, hearing loss is often mistaken for disobedience…the darn dog won’t obey his commands any longer! The loss, for sure, is harder on us than on Cooper, as it’s a sign of aging. For him, it likely doesn’t impact his great quality of life. He still has and does the things that make him happy. A friend of PHS/SPCA (who’s had deaf dogs) said it will bring us even more in tune with our companion. A comforting thought, for sure.