Dog years.

While we may not have learned the age old secret of how they get the caramilk inside the caramilk bars, we did learn other things this week.

We were originally told that Nelson was approximately 4 years old and deaf. We discovered very quickly on the first day that no, he's definitely not deaf. Hard of hearing perhaps -- maybe even some selective hearing (he is a schnauzer after all)  -- but definitely not deaf. He doesn't hear treat bags crinkling but can hear plenty of other things, including finger snapping, clapping, and barking.

As far as Nelson's age? His teeth tell a tale a different tale, as does his hearing and eyesight.

That first day when we witnessed him stumbling and falling down we believed that he had some undiagnosed neurological issues. The vet instead suggested perhaps luxating patella, but said Nelson would need x-rays to confirm this. Uh, no. Having fostered enough dogs with patella issues we knew that wasn't the case, and left the vet's office even more confused.

So Randie and I watched Nelson very carefully all week and as the days went on, his stumbling dramatically reduced and his falling down became non-existent.

On Monday Nelson mastered going up the stairs (he still cannot go down them however). On Tuesday he jumped up on the couch for the first time to snuggle. On Wednesday he came alive and ran around in the snow, chasing Randie in the backyard. On Thursday he began playing with toys for the first time. And still, throughout the week, he kept walking into the window at the front door and the glass patio doors leading to the backyard. Finally, after examining his eyes we had an AHA! moment.

Nelson doesn't have neurological issues -- he just can't see very well.

We have to bring him back to the vet next week to have his stitches removed (his head wound hasn't quite healed) so we'll have the vet confirm this, and also ask him how old he thinks Nelson is.


Nelson, I hate to be the one to break it to you, but you're no spring chicken after all. If I can accept turning 30 (which I have done three times already) then you're going to have to accept your senior citizen status.