RETIREMENT?----SHORTLIVED!

Right on schedule, Casey ceased working on 12/31/12 and began her retirement on 1/1/13.  However, something happened.  My computer is located in the backroom at my house.   I found, over the initial three weeks of Casey's retirement, when I was working at the computer, or when I was seated on the couch in the living room, reading or watching TV, Casey would come over, unprompted, and give me what I call "The Nudge."  Briefly, "The Nudge" is where Casey will come over, stick her muzzle under your elbow, and lift up quickly(if your trying to write or type, it's a real pain in the butt).

Basically, "The Nudge" is dogspeak for "Hey, pay attention to me."  Casey likes to be touched, petted, brushed, talked to, and generally fussed over.  Turns out, her needs are exactly the ideal charateristics of a therapy dog.  I was unable to meet her needs by myself, but her needs could be met if she worked as a therapy dog.  Casey's retirement lasted a grand total of three weeks.

A DIFFICULT DECISION

Due to Casey's advanced age(she would turn 14 on March 12), the reality of retirement for her was staring me in the face.  I had been using a ramp, for over a year, to transport her to and from jobs.  The weakened condition of her hindquarters made it difficult or even impossiblefor her to get in or out of vehicles(particularly the higher ones, ie. SUVs, pick-up trucks, and vans).  Her slip and falls at Lake Avenue and Maple Avenue, coupled with her inability to get up, confirmed that Casey would have to retire.  I announced to our various volunteer drivers and to the facilities that Casey serviced, that December 31st would be the end of Casey's working life.

DEJA VU?

After Casey's legs had gone out from under her, I assumed it was only going to be a one time experience.  Her weakened hind quarters, coupled with a highly waxed floor, are the requirements for a slip and fall, so when we were at the Lake Avenue Elementary School two weeks later, a slip and fall was unexpected.  The floors in Lake Avenue are not as highly waxed as Maple Avenue and some of thr rooms have rugs or carpeting.  Anyway, we finished work at Lake Avenue and headed to the front door to leave.  When we got about 3/4s of the way there, Casey went down.  Fortunately, one of the custodial staff, Joe, was present, and immediately got a flat-bed cart for Casey.  We put her on the cart and Joe wheeled her out of the school.  Casey was really enjoying herself, and although I think she could have gotten up anytime, she got Joe to wheel her all the way out to the street.  I accused her of really milking this opportunity

A NARROW ESCAPE

In the fall of 2012, two jobs that Casey and I had were at Maple Avenue Middle School in Saratoga Springs and Lake Avenue Elementary School in Saratoga Springs.  We usually worked at Maple Avenue from 9am.-10am. on Mondays.  The floors at Maple Avenue, both in the hallways and in the classrooms, are highly polished.  Therein lies the basis of this post. 
Casey and I always split our time at Maple Avenue between two classrooms.  On this day in mid-November, we finished work in one classroom and got up to go to the 2nd classroom.  As soon as we reached the hallway, all four of Casey's feet went out from under her and she was laying spreadeagled on the floor. 
Now comes the scary part.  Casey was unable to get up.  We honestly didn't know what to do.  Fortunately, one of the teachers got a flatbed cart.  Another teacher donated her coat.  Several people got together, put the coat under Casey, and lifted her onto the cart.  She was then wheeled into the 2nd classroom and did her work as usual.  She got the"royal treatment," as when she was done in te 2nd classroom, she was placed on the cart and wheeled out to the waiing taxi.