Our Best Friend

Not long after CP and I got married, we got a dog.  We decided that would be good practice for having a child.  You know - can't go on long trips without planning.  Waking up in the night to take out to do their business. Always pawing you for your attention. 

When we moved to a different town in NC, he started having seizures.  We were told that these would shorten his life span.  The average life span for a miniature poodle is 13-15 years.  At the time, he was about 2 yrs old.  When we moved to Florida 8 yrs ago, the seizures stopped.  He was 9 yrs old.  We thought we wouldn't have him much longer given the shortened lifespan as a result of the seizures. 

When we started the adoption process last year in January, we worried that he wouldn't make it until we brought our son(s) home.  He made it.  He is now 17 yrs old.

But last week, we werent' sure he would make it much longer.  CP found him on the floor in our bedroom - not moving.  HB sleeps with us and usually barks when he is ready to get down.  He didn't bark that day.  Apparently, he fell off the bed and hurt his hips/legs.  When CP took him to the vet, she said he was having seizures again.  His vision (which was poor to begin with) is now worse.  Apparently, he is now totally blind.  His hearing (which was minimal) is also now worse.  CP wasn't sure if he would make it through the day.  He was considering the possiblity of putting him to sleep - so he called me at work.  I told him to take him home and lets watch him for a few days.  Fortunately, he has improved steadily and he is still with us. 

The question is

for how long?