That's almost 80 in dog years

When I think about the blog, I often think about how I started it right before we got Jasper in 2007. (For those keeping track at home the B@ker Blog is almost 11 years old.) So, it's a little sad to think that Jasper has aged right along with the blog, but he, sadly, is definitely in decline. He's had seizures approx. six times since the beginning of 2017, and it seems like every one take a little toll on him.  Additionally, he has arthritis and is plagued by small, twitchy muscle spasms.

We have options to determine what is causing the seizures; we could do a cat scan (or in his case, a dog scan), but we've decided not to do that. If the test did determine he has epilepsy, we would have the option of medicating him, which is not ideal (the medicine would make him drowsy and dopey). If a cat scan revealed something more serious going on with his brain, like cancer, we would not do anything heroic for him at this stage of his life.

As a result, we just enjoy every day we have with him. I cannot imagine a better dog, and any that come after him will have a tough act to follow. He is just perfect in every way: temperament, self-restraint, affection, if not a little on the lazy and stubborn side.

The day will come when we have to say goodbye, and while we are hoping it is not imminent, we are being realistic and having fun with him while we can!

Just joined the family

At the street picnic this summer 💖