The Only and The Last
Facing the reality of having a pet as I age
I have shared most of my seventy years with more than one dog at a time, having as many as seven at once when I lived in the country.
When Ben and I moved to our townhome, two dogs — Pooh, a hound-mix, and Chanelito, a Pekingese — moved with us. That was 2017. In 2018, we said goodbye to Pooh, who suffered from Canine Degenerative Myelopathy, a degenerative spinal cord condition.
Knowing that Chanelito, who was fourteen with health issues, had limited time left on this earth, we adopted two ten-year-old half-sisters — Syau, a Lhasa Apso, and Sophie, a Lhasa-Poo.
Chanelito left us in 2019. Sophie died of cancer less than a year later.
Since 2020, Syau has been The One and Only Dog.
Syau is sixteen years old. Her eyesight and hearing are diminished, she has early signs of doggy dementia, and she was recently diagnosed with seizures. So far, the seizures are mild and infrequent. Lab tests revealed no underlying cause. The next step would be an MRI and neurological consultation at the College of Veterinary Medicine. The cost — $2,500 to $5,000 — is prohibitive. The vet and I are hoping the seizures don’t worsen.
When Syau passes away, I won't get another dog. I don’t want a dog who will outlive me, and the cost of dog food, supplements, vet appointments, licensing, and future medications is too much for a retirement income.
Syau is not only The One, she is also the Last One. And that makes her The Special One.
© Dennett 2025
This is in response to the April Weeds & Wildflowers Prompt, Only One:
