Sick as a dog. In comes the doxie. For better for worse. In sickness and in health.

There are those sweet and selfless beings. The only ones so incredibly happy that you’re stuck at home, miserably sick. They aren’t your people. But you are theirs.

I’m not suitable for public consumption. I can’t get out of bed. Can’t talk. Or walk. Or breathe. Bed bound.

The Mount Hood peak of wadded tissues, volcanic overflow up and over the trash can. Wadded papers stacked up like a week’s worth of writer’s block per day.

Only worse – way worse.

Crumpled tissues with parts of me wrapped around them. Not given, but taken. Expelled. Violently removed. Sneezing and coughing and nose blowing. No, not blowing, more like blow torching. Body shaking violent eruptions. Mt Hood going off. Or is it St. Helens?

Overflowing trashcans; a four Kleenex box day.

Way worse than textbook virus. Not nose running, or sniffles or coughing. All of that, and more, on steroids. Must be why the doc gave me steroids, to counteract my body’s bizarre over response to a flu bug attack. It's spring - allergy season, too.

Body shaking, rattling, racking, uncontrollable coughs that tear into lungs and passageways. Ripped open, against their will. Bruising cells, now flooding with viral gunk. Disgusting junk. Way worse than baby poo, diarrhea on diapers, normal people call rough stuff.

Profoundly ill. Inhuman conditions. The kind another human can’t tolerate.

The kind a sick human would never ask another human to.

Alone in the house. Sick house - the kind no normal being enters voluntarily. A good friend drops off homemade soup, but understandably leaves it on the porch. This is not a moment of intimacy people like to share.

In comes the doxie.

For better for worse. In sickness and in health.

Nurse doxie Doodle. Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDairy.org

Burrowing in, elbowing along, dragging his stomach, inching up the bed, like sneaking up on prey. Pulling himself along the length of my body, from my toes up to my nose.

Jumps up to my head, propped up in bed. Wraps his arms around my neck, paws on skin. Looks deep into my eyes - his, glistening bright. Mine, dull and dim.

One quick lick to my cheek. Not an annoyingly long submissive thing I couldn’t stand, even on a good day. Just a kiss. Not noticing I’m sick as a dog. Or maybe just because?

My doxie noses in, under the tangle of blankets and pillows and body parts. Finding an opening. under covers, through the gunk and the wracked, soggy, disgusting mass of former humanity curled up like a dog. Finds a crevice that he can ooze into that will expand out to let him press full body against mine, between legs and stomach and sharing soft, warm body heat like a doxie hot water bottle, soothing and sweet as if sweet was even an option right now. I’d go for tolerable or even one percent less than inhumane. And then sweet noses in.

My son, my Doodle. Full body contact as if I’m not really a leper. Pressing his cute little shiny orange butt up against my jammies. Curly q tail wrapping around my thigh like even it wants so desperately to embrace me.

And now we’re snoring together. Wow, sweet snoring at last. I can’t sleep, so any catnap will do. Even 10 minutes of rest is a welcome change of fate.

Cutest little nuzzle buddy ever! Doodle. Photo: (c) Barb Ayers, DogDiary.org

Why do they call it sick as a dog?

Back in the 1700’s, people would just let homeless dogs die in the street. They were not welcome in neighborhoods or homes – never in beds, not for centuries. Nor were they given medical attention. Outcasts. Bad luck was blamed on dogs, sick and wandering the streets. In misery.

Seems like we’ve come full circle here.

Now I’m the miserable one, the down dog he’s catering to. He’s the one I adopted off the streets. Or is it the other way around? If this isn’t medical attention, I don’t know what is.

I love my dog. So profoundly glad he loves me too.

And when he’s worked his magic on me, that cat takes over baby-sitting duties.

And at some point in the distant future, I’ll be suitable for human interaction.

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Taking a trip? Long hours at work? Tips for doggy day care and boarding

Do you have a tight schedule that takes you away from home with barely enough time to spend with your dog? Does your furry friend give you a sad face when you are about to leave for work? Dogs suffer from separation anxiety when they are left all alone all day. This may cause the dog to bark and whine due to insufficient socialization, and this may cause trouble with your neighbors.

Well, this is where a dog daycare and boarding comes in. A dog daycare operates the same way a human baby daycare does. You drop your dog at daycare on your way to work and pick him/her up afterwards, for a fee. In the daycare, your pooch is pampered and gets to spend time playing with other dogs and caregivers.

If you travel for work or take trips where pets can’t join you, finding a reliable dog sitter or leaving your dog at a boarding facility are the best solutions. Being away from home and pets is hard enough, so be sure that the boarding facility provides professional services to help your pet feel at home when you’re away.

How to choose dog daycare and boarding for your dog

Every Dog parent wants the best for their dog. When choosing a daycare or boarding facility, you need to

• Tour the facility. Get to know the staff and raise concerns to learn how they problem solve.
• Check if the staff is properly trained to handle, train and care for dogs. Are they staffed to cater to the number of dogs?
• Find out the sanitary conditions of the facility. What are the cleaning and disinfecting procedures
• Check the vaccination records of dogs your pooch will spend time with.
• Find out how your pet will be cared for in the event of emergencies.
• Look for a facility with amenities like Healthy Hound Playground which offers plenty of interactive options.

Benefits of taking your pooch to a doggy daycare or boarding

1.    Socialization

This is top of the list because dogs need company during the day. This eliminates separation anxiety which causes destructive behavior around the house. In a dog daycare, your pooch learns socialization skills and forms friendships as they interact with other dogs and their caregivers. The confidence level of the particularly timid dogs is also boosted.

2.    Love, care, and attention

Dogs need it, just like humans. So as a dog parent, it’s your duty to ensure that your dog receives attention when you’re away or don’t have time to walk them, cuddle and snuggle. Ensure that doggy daycare or boarding offers that.

3.    Grooming

A dog daycare and boarding that offers grooming services is a plus for you and your pooch.  Your dog gets professional services like a dog spa session that leaves him fluffy and rejuvenated.

4.    Exercise

Killing boredom is one of the most important reasons to take your dog to the daycare. At the daycare, the dog gets to run around, play and exercise on the playground with their friends and caregivers. This reduces anxiety and helps them to keep fit.

5.    Training

At the daycare, your dog learns various obedience commands which are essential in tackling behavioral problems that may crop up in their growth process.

There’s no place like home – but doggy day care and boarding can help

If you have to leave your pooch at a daycare or boarding facility, make sure it’s as homey as can be. Take personal items like blankets and toys to make your dog feel relaxed in new territory. This is because dogs rely on smell and familiar belongings to feel at ease.