Krikkit


Krikkit left this world July 9, 2021, just shy of 17 years old.  We loved her so much!   In the past 2 years she traveled with us from sea to sea and border to border.

Our pup with our youngest son Chris in 2004.

We lived in Arkansas for one year. While we were there we adopted our rescue dog, Krikkit. According to the Humane Society in Jonesboro she is half Blue Heeler,1/4 Basset and 1/4 Lab--quite an interesting mix. She appears to have inherited the bad parts of each: ACL tears, allergies, and yeast infections. She had TPLO surgery when she was 2 and we also found out she is allergic to a dogs world, grasses, trees, etc. I gave her desensitizing shots for a year, which did nothing, and she has taken allergy medication all of her life. At least the yeast infections seemed to disappear. It all makes for an expensive mutt! Despite all of this the vet says she has the best blood work of any dog her age. In Aug., 2020 Krik celebrated her 16th birthday.

She barks at any animal walking in her yard, which encompasses a several block radius according to her, the tv--any animal, animated animal on any commercial, or a show that has an animal (she knows shows and commercials that contain animals by their music so she doesn't even have to watch, lol) in it, UPS trucks (she knows the sound of the truck several blocks away), red trucks (thanks to the neighbor's dog); she jumps on everyone; pulls constantly on walks; can't control her "licker;" sheds a lot and constantly; is always hungry (if you are on the phone she barks because she knows you will feed her to shut her up, and her 5 p.m. dinner has moved up to 2); knows commands but only uses them if they suit her and OTHER THAN THAT she is the perfect dog! We love her just as she is.

We didn't really expect a dog to live so long but I guess she wanted to travel the U.S. with us. In the past year she has really slowed down. She no longer pulls on the leash and she needs to be lifted into the RV, both because she has leg problems and because her long body and short legs can't navigate the tall and narrow steps. She is deaf in her left ear and doesn't hear much out of her right. Cataracts are affecting her sight. We are sometimes the first ones to spot the squirrels or rabbits now. She does still have quite a bit of body strength especially when she does see those critters. In October, 2020 Krikkit had a seizure. This was her first and, hopefully, last one. She is happy, wags her tail and enjoys life. She likes to walk, but at any point may just say she's had enough and stop.

Petique's, https://www.petique.com/products/all-terrain-pet-jogger , has been a lifesaver.  Their all-terrain-Pet-Jogger has enabled her to go with us places she otherwise couldn't.  It is amazing! We have been able to take her on the beach and on many hiking trails. Better yet she wants to get in it. We also have an attachment to make it a bike trailer. It folds and sets up easily and fits in the trunk of our smaller car. A side benefit for me is it's great for hauling laundry to and from the laundry room.



4 comments:

  1. Love your commitment to Krikkit!!!

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    1. Laurie she has always been there for me, good times and bad, moves, lays by side when I'm sick (once for 6 weeks straight) so I couldn't imagine not taking care of her. She is 15 1/2 and still has spunk and healthy. I keep reminding Pat that a Blue Heeler, Old Bluey, lived till age 29!

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  2. I shared Krikkit's story with my neighbor. They have a dachshund who is only twoish. But someday he may need this.

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    1. Yep, dachshunds can have a lot of issues with those long bodies and short legs.

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