Harold just celebrated his fourteenth birthday. Hard to believe, seems like it wasn’t that long ago I went to New York to bring him home to us here. Boy, we’ve traveled so many miles, gone on so many adventures, attended so many events and have been filled with blessings of his companionship, love and loyalty. He filled a void that could not be touched in any other capacity. His presence has been a manifestation of Casey’s love and humor and all the joy Casey shared with Harold over too short a time.
Around age eleven he began to show some slight signs of arthritis in his front shoulder. For the last nine plus years he has been under the dedicated vet care of Drs. Rivera, Smith, Marsh, and Nevotti with Sienna Plantation Animal Hospital. He was put on some supplements to help the arthritic inflammation and responded well. About a year later, he developed some digestive problems and after lengthy diet changes and medications, he was finally diagnosed with IBS. He’s been on a specific low-fat diet and medications and has had it under control with only occasional flareups. Sadly, he has over the last year lost a lot of muscle mass in his rear legs (joint disease) and so he has trouble walking any distance or standing for any length of time. We occasionally have to assist him in getting up off the floor, and he can no longer get in and out of the car. We got him a “wagon” so we could take him on “walks”, as he still enjoys getting outside. In July of 2023 Dr. Nevotti was concerned he was showing symptoms of depression and she began home ACUPUNCTURE treatments, which have helped him. The loss of muscle mass and strength in his rear legs can’t be replenished, but the acupuncture helps his overall attitude and energy and we have seen improvements. He receives two different monthly injections to ease joint inflammation, which keeps him comfortable and a reasonable quality of life.
Harold continues to give immeasurable love and enjoyment to us and every day is a gift as Casey lives on through him.
