Why don't I just go work for the Vet?

Now that the crisis with Leyla is under control, Shawna (my 17.5 year old) is acting up. 


Unfortunately, in Shawna's case it appears to be an accelerating case of dementia.  Or, it is due to a urinary tract infection. 


The symptoms?  


She seems totally disoriented for long periods of time. Last night on our walk (off leash), she walked up to a tree in the front yard. She stood there looking at it and swinging her head back and forth seeking an exit.  It took her almost three minutes to figure out how to walk around it but only after I helped her.  


She has taken to voiding her bladder where ever she is standing. Today, it was in the feeding area. If you know anything about dogs, this is the last place they void.  She went out to the dog run with me yesterday and ran back into the house to void in the dining room. Today I took her for a walk, nothing happened until 2 minutes after we returned to the house--in the dining room.  


The vet tells me this could be due to a urinary tract infection. Shawna is spending the day at the vets while they try to capture a clean sample of urine to test.  


If there is an infection, taking care of it may reduce the problems with Shawna. 


If there is no infection, then I have a really tough decision to make...although her current lack of house training and her confusion is making it slightly less difficult. 


After all, Shawna is Mary's favorite dog.


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