Just Say No

Dear Dog Lady,

When I went away on a business trip for three days, all my husband had to do was walk our 13-year-old Sparky and give the dog a liver pill two times a day. Sparky has been on the medication for three years. I usually take care of giving it to him.

On my first day away, my husband called me in a panic saying Sparky wouldn’t walk and would only do his business in one place. On my second day away, things seemed to be getting worse. My husband said Spark was listless, fading and sleeping constantly. He thought Sparky was dying. Far away and helpless, I was hysterical to get home. I blubbered in front of my boss who was very understanding. I explained I had my dog long before I married my husband.

Finally, I got home and raced into the house. Sparky was a heap in the hallway. My husband was frantic because the dog hadn’t moved in 24 hours. I quickly discovered the problem. My husband hadn’t put on his glasses when he dispensed medication. He was giving Ambien sleeping tablets to the dog instead of the liver pills. We raced Sparky to the vet where we were scolded severely. A detoxed Sparky is now making a comeback, but I have not forgiven my husband for his carelessness.

Can this marriage be saved?

Joan, Brooklyn, NY

Joan, geez, sounds like you should check your dog and your marriage into the Betty Ford Center. Organize your life and maybe there’s hope.

For Sparky’s sake, lock away all human medications securely so there’s not an iota of possibility for a mix up. Chaos in your medicated life spilled over to your ailing dog and there’s no excuse for it.

Sure, your hubby is to blame for not wearing his spectacles, but he is a man and you must forgive him for not being as meticulous as you are about taking care of the details. Next time you go away, write out a list in big block letters and make it easy for him to do the dog chores while you are out of town. Count out the Sparky pills and leave them in a place where he will not mistake them for sleeping aids. You shoulder some of the blame here. If you care about your dog and your marriage, you will do a better job of keeping your house in order.

Posted by Dog Lady at December 4, 2005 02:04 PM