Hi, I’m Crash, woof! I am Perky Parkie’s super cool dog child and I’ve hijacked her blog today. So grab your biscuits and enjoy the story of my mommy who has Barkinson’s disease.
I am not sure exactly what Barkinson’s disease is, but I can tell you what we do most days. My mommy can act different throughout the day. Usually the mornings, she moves slow and stiff, I think that this is just because she wants to make sure that she doesn’t wake me. I just hang out on our bed and watch her shuffle around. The bed is so warm and comfy that I don’t get up until I hear her getting my breakfast ready. I don’t eat unless she puts some yummy magical beef on top of my boring dog food. I shudder at the thought that some dog children only get dry food to eat… what kind of life is that?
After I eat, I allow mommy to eat her breakfast. She likes these tiny little treats that come in small orange bottles with white lids, but she can hardly get into them. I will just stare at her struggling to open her treats, not lifting a paw. I mean, come on… I would help but I don’t have thumbs! Plus, she won’t ever share her treats with me, but then again, I don’t share mine.
When our bellies are full, I go to the front window and keep an eye out for any danger. It is part of my job as the Alpha to keep our home safe. We don’t live in a bad neighborhood, in fact I have 3 beds made of the softest chenille fabric money can buy, but there is this thug dog downstairs that I have to keep my eye on. He wears this Silence of the Lambs muzzle that makes him look like Hannibal Lecter. I assume it is because he is so ugly, but the mask is so creepy that I have to bark and laugh at him.
My mommy usually sits on the couch and stares at the television watching the news. When I feel up to it, I whine at her as I stand by the front door, this tells her that I am ready to take her for a walk. She gets up and puts on shoes… oh this part is so exciting! I take her outside for a stroll and this is one of my favorite times of the day. Sometimes my mommy gets upset because I pull on the leash too hard. I don’t mean to jerk her around, but I get so excited, I have to follow my nose. And technically I am taking her for a walk, so she should try to keep up.
After our walk, I notice that mommy can’t sit still. She is dancing around the apartment getting ready to go to work. I heard her talking on the phone to my Grandma that she has “Dogkinesia”. Not sure what that means, but I won’t be sharing my treats with any new dog child, I don’t care how much dancing she does. Now I send mommy to work, someone has to make money to pay for my treats, not to mention, I want to take a nap and there is no way that is happening with her bouncing around the place.
Although I am in a deep sleep dreaming about chasing gophers, I hear the beep of mommy’s car and I am at the window in a flash. It’s like a surprise everyday when she comes home, like she has been gone for years. I can’t wait to tell her what I did all day, but now she is moving so slow and rigid. It takes her forever to get up the stairs to our front door, but I wait patiently for her arrival. When she opens the front door, she isn’t smiling, but after a few kisses from me, she lights up.
Then we get to have more treats. Again, she is so selfish with her special treats, never shares. She always does this before I let her take me to the dog child park. Once she has her special goodies, she’s ready to walk. I take her down the street to the park, so I can let her off the leash. Then it’s back home so we can eat our dinner and then fall asleep together on the couch.
It’s late at night and my mommy won’t stop moving her legs. I’m getting annoyed because I just want to keep snuggling next to her in our warm bed, but she just keeps me up. She always seems to get this way at night. Sometimes she moves around so much I have to go under the bed just to get some peace and quiet. We usually wake up in the morning tired from her flopping around. But I still love her and will even go out with her on the couch when she can’t sleep, just to keep her company.
Even though we have been through thick and thin, I am always there for my mommy. I have to take care of her, so she can take care of me. I know that she has Barkinson’s disease, but that doesn’t make her who she is. In fact, I think that it makes her better because she helps save people who also have Barkinson’s. Just like she saved me from the shelter. Now I think I will have her take me for a car ride… it is such a rush to feel the wind in your fur!
Koa the Standard Poodle replies –
Yo, Crash, thank you for sharing your story! My Dad has Barkinson’s too, so it was really cool to hear about your life.
My own story is kind of the same, and kind of different. First off, beef on your food!?! Why has no one told me about this? I think my Dad must not know about this. I will tell him about it. Also, my Dad has special treats that help him move faster and play better too. I know they’re not for me, so if I ever find one on the floor or between the couch cushions I just let him know and then I get super yummy treats just for me! Also, my dad doesn’t go to work like your mom does, so we get to play and hang out all day! He told me he used to work before I was even a puppy but now he gets something called Broscial Security, which is weird because he doesn’t even have a brother, but whatever. I like hanging out, and I really love Dog School! That’s where I go to study to become a Service Dog, so I can help my dad with even more stuff! I already help him a lot by taking him for walks, giving him puppy kisses when he’s shaking a lot or really slow, and guarding the house from the neighbors and the Fedex guy. It’s VERY important work, and my dad says I am a very good student.
Koa,
I couldn’t imagine hanging out with my mommy all day, that sounds like a dream come true! It’s cool that you’re studying to become a service dog. Keep in touch… us Barkies gotta stick together you know.
Right on, bro. Woof to your mother.
– Koa
any idea where a parkie with anxiety can get a service dog? my sweet lab chow mix is almost 18, and i cannot imagine my life without him but if and when something happens, i will definitely get another four legged companion. i learned the hard way that you can only get unconditional love from your four legged furry friends:)
Do you need a service dog or a emotional support dog? Check out this article that explains the difference. Hope it helps. http://pleasedontpetme.com/differences.php
i think i need both– a service dog who will provide emotional support. I am still capable of performing all activities of daily living, but as my poor balance and postural instability increase, I need the service dog to help keep me steady and assist in walking., until I need the service dog to help me more.
I also find that if a dog lays on my feet or on my left arm when the tremors are bad, that seems to help. Finally, I am prone to panic attacks, and have lots of anxiety, so that’s when i need an emotional support dog. any ideas?, I am concerned that getting a service dog is very expensive.
Here is a link that I think you might find helpful… http://k94life.org/programs/servicedog/
A message from Squirt, my furbaby, crash sounds like me! I go with my mom everywhere. I have to wear this horrible red vest. When I do, I have to be really good, I do get to go to restaurants though, yesterday I even got a piece of bacon when we went to lunch (it was my birthday). Anyways, I help her keep track of her treats that she takes at least 4 times a day and I also keep her anxiety away. But enough About me, back under the covers until mommy is ready to go out.
Keep taking care of your mom!
Hi Squirt, You got bacon? Wanna share? Woof, Crash
I’m saying hi from the UK. What a super blog! Ive shared it on my Facebook. (Our two Westies very kindly allow my partner and I to live with them, too.)
Hi from across the pond! Thanks for sharing my blog.
Crash,
You and your mommy have such an infectious positive outlook on life! It’s always uplifting to read your posts. Thanks!
Give that special boy a hug and kiss from aunt Lala and uncle Mark. Hope Crash gets to meet Maddie and Murphy soon!
Sweet Crash!
You are a Precious Dog Child of the finest breeding! It is so fitting that you would be destined to be Perky Parky’s dog child! You are beyond blessed, and so is your lovely Mommy! Please keep writing,you have a paw-fectly wonderful writing skill set, even tho you don’t have thumbs! XOXO
That is so right-on!! My dog Liam pretty much goes through the same routine with me!
Sounds like your Dogamine levels need adjusting. I get mine from a black Labadopa.
Your mommy is a wonderful girl, Crash. Always be kind to her and don’t distract her in the car when she pulls into the barking lot.
Mommy watches the news? I thought she watched K-9 Chronicles. Thx for sharing Mr. Crash.
Woof. Give me treats.
bow wow wow wow bow wow bow wow. Translation: Sounds like Barkingson’s bites. But good for Crash.
Thank you for sharing. It’s nice that your Mommy has you to help her keep going.
I was delighted to read this.
Crash,
I agree you 100% and love you so~much.
Giving you a BIG HUG because you’ve been taking good care of your mommy….
Woof, Woof!!
Thanks Crash for posting this! You’ve got a great mom. 🙂
Another fun story !!