Jackson

I got her in a parking lot from a wire cage with the sign "Free Puppies". I couldn't resist. She's a "hybrid" aka mutt - Schnauzer and West Highland Terrier - 6 1/2 weeks old then and now 6 months old. I've gotten all her shots and spayed.

The thing is, I'm the full time caregiver for my disabled husband and already have two older dogs ages 14 years and 8 years old. She's a typical puppy. And now I have two (husband and puppy) babies to clean up after. I feel I've taken on more than I can handle. I'm 64. Hubby is 69.

I'm worried about re-homing her. You know, "Free puppy to good home" ads. How would I really know if she will actually be going to a GOOD home? She's a house dog like my other two and treated like family. Maybe I can live through the "puppy stage", maybe not. It breaks my heart.

She's 15 years old and has arthritis, hearing loss, failing eyesight, weight loss. Her WBC was low indicative of infection - but from exactly where - unknown. She had an eye infection that the our vet treated with antibiotics and Dermalone cream around the skin. He also said she needed her teeth cleaned and some more pulled.

She's so old and frail. I'm hesitant to have her put under anesthesia.

I must add, I got a new puppy and our other dog, Buster (8 years old Rat Terrier) got an ear infection, and now Dixie with an eye infection. Holly has had her vet check and all her jabs. Is this a coincidence or what?

To the point. What would you do about Dixie and oral surgery at her age and health?

New puppy is house broken with urinating and goes outside (via doggie door), but I cannot ever catch her "in the act" of pooping (she's sneaky), so no punishment given. By punishment I mean, I've house broken our other two dogs by catching them doing their business on the carpet, clapping my hands together and a firm loud NO and then putting them outside (large fenced in backyard) for a bit. They caught on quickly that it was a no-no to do it in the house. I don't whack, spank or - heaven forbid - rub their nose in the poop.

Any suggestions on what to do? (She's 9 weeks old, Schnauzer/West Highland Terrier mix.)

We've been married 44 years. He's always been a drinker, sometimes heavily to the point of acquiring a DWI 8 times. We both worked and had a joint checking account but I was in charge of finances - depositing our checks, paying all the bills, etc. I opened a savings account and tried to put at least $20.00 twice a month out of my check into a savings account, and every time I'd get a nice little savings, I'd have to spend it all on lawyers and fines.

To the point: His years of alcohol abuse finally caught up with him. 2 years ago, he was drunk, fell and broke his hip requiring a total hip replacement. During that hospital stay was when he was diagnosed with dementia-alcohol induced. Not Alzheimer's but self-induced alcoholic dementia. He doesn't have the dramatic mood swings of Alzheimer's but is very docile, never was or has been verbally or physically abusive.

But what wears me out is his incontinence and having to change sheets, wash his clothes, clean up the floors where he's splattered. He won't shave, won't bathe, won't wash his hair, smells awful, looks like a mountain man, has ruined the chairs, the carpet, the mattress. He even blows his nose on the floor.

He has total loss of short term memory. At any given time, there will be as many as 4 glasses, 5 cokes, 6 packs of cigarettes, 3 lighters on the table. He'll forget that he already has these and gets another. He has a difficult time walking but refuses to use his walker, cane or wheelchair. I cannot MAKE him do anything.

Once, I was able to get him outside and into the car to go for a ride and fresh air. Then when we got home, I had to clean the seat where he'd been sitting.

I often lose my temper and verbally lash out at him and then feel awful about some of the things I've said. But with his short term memory loss, he never remembers what I've said. My health is failing now. How can I cope? What would you suggest. Divorce is not in my thoughts, although it sometimes has been in the past.

After many tests, CT's, EGD, ERCP procedures, the final biopsy report was

"probable" cancer. The word probable word confuses me since the definition is that probable means "presumed but without PROOF".

No surgeons in this area are skilled or experienced enough, even with our two large major hospitals locally, to perform the Whipple operation, and I was given the only option of going to M.D. Anderson in Houston. I have no private health insurance and not old enough yet for Medicare, the full time caregiver for my disabled husband and no way to get to Houston - a LONG way off from north central Texas.

Plus, there are no guarantees even after the Whipple is performed - a horrendous, extensive, dangerous operation with recuperation of likely 2 to 3 weeks in the hospital, then at least 6 months more at home.

I've declined the referral to Houston, because who would take care of my husband, pay the bills, take care of our two beloved baby dogs. I figured - why go through all this if I'm going to die in a maximum of 2 years anyway.

What would you do in this situation?

I have a lot of vintage, very old books in great condition. But some have that "packed away" musty smell when flipping the pages. What can be done for this?

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