My latest guest star: Tibor the Border Collie (or "How I Became a Seeing-Eye Human")

I'm with the guys on the dementia thoughts.
I wonder whether he IS in fact re-homeable. Sadly....

Keep those black tadpole thoughts and hug that Chi x

 

I saw 2 black lab pups and 1 chocolate today. I want one

 

Chocolate or black, that is the eternal question.

 

Easy black, so shiny shiny and their eyes like mellowed pools. Oh black

 

Agree on both counts


Miss Fine looks very satisfied with her situation in life.

 

Only one solution, then...!

 

He's baaaaaaaack!!!!!!!!!!

After an admittedly lovely respite over the weekend, where I marvelled at walking a dog that I didn't have to steer around bicycle tires, Tibi has made his return. He was actually happy to see me and gave a little jump, growl and wiggle butt. It was very sweet.

Then he came into my apartment and instantly started pacing around in circles. And trying to catch imaginary flies. No crying yet though - hey, the win!

Naw, actually the weekend helped me get a little perspective (and a lot of sleep) and my attitude is much better. I took him for a nice long walk this afternoon and he got petted by an Aussie tourist for the longest time and we (the tourist and I) had a nice chat - he also did doggie volunteering and had been owned by two Rotties. It was a nice conversation that I wouldn't have had without Tibi.

Now he's back in the apartment pacing in circles and snapping at imaginary flies. Again. Oh well. I'm trying to think of him as sweet little old man with dementia who is a bit frustrating but still must be affectionately coddled. So far it's working.

Onward and upward! Or at least sideways!

 

Well done you, and I think you are right about him being a loopy sweet old boy in need of love.

 

"and always twirling, twirling..."

 

Wow, did that three day break really make a difference in my attitude. Tibi is acting in nearly the same way as pre-break, but my reaction is worlds different. I'm much more chilled out. I even managed to sleep through most of the spinning last night. I guess the "click, click, click" of his nails is starting to be like white noise.

This is a really good learning experience for me and something for me to be able to look back on if I reach a "I'm pulling my hair out and want to cry" moment with my puppy...which judging by the reams of such posts here on the Forum, I most certainly will. Take a break, re-set and re-conquer. At least until the next time when you need to do it again.

So far Tibi is not crying as much and seems less confused. He's able to feed himself about 90% of the way and then just needs a bit of help at the end. He is still spinning in circles which frankly is irritating, but maybe I'm getting used to it. He really loves putting his front paws in my lap for a cuddle while I'm working, so when the spinning gets me too squirrely I'm trying calling him over for a cuddle break. This seems to snap him out of the circle cycle for 30 minutes or so, at least yesterday and today.

For those who've had experience with dementia, can the symptoms vary like this? Some days better other days worse? I need to do a little internet research of my own too.

But for the moment, thank goodness for small favours that the worst of it is just the spinning and the snapping at invisible flies!

 

The fly snapping is tugging at my memory as a collie problem along with circling along with that brain problem Cavaliers get. ? Mmmmmm

 

Evening cuddles when I supposed to be still working. At this point in my work day I'm also feeling like snapping at those pesky invisible flies.

 

Wow, really?

 

Apparently it's a problem that collies get and is related to epilepsy. They snap invisible flys circle bark. Its OCD type thing. Google it? some
Of the border collies I've trained with have it(just the snapping)

 

Sure enough. Interesting article (even though weirdly it appears to be sponsored by dog biscuits https://www.canidae.com/blog/2014/08/what-is-fly-snapping-syndrome/

Several other articles as well link fly-snapping and pacing with epilepsy. Dementia or epilepsy? We'll probably never know.

He's quiet right now and I'm buzzing on too much caffeine. I guess I'm the one keeping HIM awake tonight!

 

As long as you don't start fly snapping and circling I'm sure he won't mind. I'm trying for an early night hoping to get some bloody sleep

 

This was a Simpson's reference, I wasn't taking the mickey out of Tibi if anyone thought that, sorry :

 

There is data to show that OCD...fly biting is associated with pain/discomfort, more commonly GI dysfunction which with treatment improved.
I can dig out the study for you tomorrow.
I do also believe that psychotropic meds have also helped..but I think the dogs physical condition would be need to to be assessed. Sorry for the quick post!

 

I thought it was funny And I'm sure Tibi won't mind!

 

I just hear tv, film and song references in my head all the time....