Yesterday was my fifth day of laser therapy. I know, laser therapy sounds like a combination of a facelift and psychoanalysis only an L.A. dog would undergo. If you saw how lumpy I am, you’d know I’m not that vain. My Aunt Lorrie, the Barefoot Veterinarian, suggested the treatment for its anti-inflammatory effects. I’ve suffered from arthritis since I was three, and this is the latest thing she has done to make my life better. She is an awesome aunt!

In my youth, my arthritis would flare up at random times, probably triggered by tweaking my back just the wrong way while playing. My discomfort would be obvious, as I would act like I had a very stiff and painful neck (I did!). For humans, a stiff neck is tough, but as long as you hold your head still, it sits in line with your spine, putting very little stress on your neck. The pain is worst when you have to get out of bed, because then the weight of your (fat) head is pulling on your sore neck. For dogs, it’s like we’re always getting out of bed, since our spines are horizontal. For me, it hurt to get out of bed. It hurt to stand still. Even wagging my tail hurt!

The flare-ups happened a couple of times a year and were short-lived bouts that were mitigated with a two-week course of steroids. It was tough not getting to play or go running with Mikey, but he was good at following the vet’s orders (she is his big sister, so she has been training him for a long time) and made sure I took it easy for the full two weeks.

Once, while walking home from the grocery store, it suddenly hurt so bad I froze in place, fearing any motion would cause more pain. Luckily, a very nice neighbor gave Mikey and me a ride home, saving Mikey from crying out in pain himself while carrying me (he has a bad back, too).

I haven’t had any flare-ups in several years, but that’s because I’m much more mellow these days. Now the effects of arthritis are constant, showing in how stiffly I walk. I am usually limping by the end of my daily walk around the block because of neck pain, but I love my meanders around the neighborhood. As I described in an earlier post, I sleep most of the time. Going out for a walk is the highlight of my day. Well, breakfast, dinner and snacks are the highlight, but going for a walk comes next.

The laser treatments do seem to have eased the pain in my neck (the physical pain; Mikey’s still the as much a pain in the neck as ever ). I’m grateful. Now, if only we could do something about my poor eyesight, lousy hearing and failing back legs …

Birthday greetings to 12-year-old Gryphon, Terri’s ultra-running (retired) Australian Shepherd.

Here's how I spend most of my time, hanging out in Mikey's office, making sure he works.

Wow, am I psyched!! Mikey just gave me a biscuit! … Oh wait … while that’s true – Mikey did give me a biscuit, and I am totally psyched about it – that’s not the reason I’m writing. I’m excited by the wonderful response to my blog (or as some of you proposed, my “dlog”). Thank you everyone! I am especially pleased by the number of canine readers, all of whom are very creative writers.

I am going to grouse a bit. (Isn’t that what old folks – dogs and humans – are known for?) So what’s with all the questions?! Does the title display as “Ask Bashan” rather than “Bashan’s Blog” on your screens? Does the link read “Questions” instead of “Comments”? … OK, I’m just teasing. Your questions give me more reason to write and share the wisdom that age has imparted upon me.

It’s been awhile since my last post. I’ll use Mikey’s excuse – it’s tax season. I don’t get it though. I guess it’s another case where I just don’t understand that boy. He’s been fretting and moaning that he has to do his taxes, but I thought they were something you did at your desk and on the computer. So how does that explain why he has been spending more time than usual running, biking and napping? Doesn’t seem very “taxing” to me. He does sit at the computer some, but I don’t think you can do your taxes at hulu.com.

OK, I’m being a little tough on him. He has worked on his taxes (finished them today), and he has helped a couple of friends work on theirs. I’ve learned a lot just hanging around the office. I now know that in TurboTax, red numbers are BAD, and green numbers are goood. I used to hear the word “BAD” a lot when I was young. Now, I don’t hear much at all. I also had flashbacks to my youth when Ben cried out “Nooooo” as the red number grew bigger and bigger. At first, I thought I’d done something wrong, but then I remembered “I’m 13. I can do no wrong.” Sadly, when I was young, I was told “no” so often I thought it was part of my name. I imagine that Hayley, Lulu and Misty can all relate. I’ll share some of my best “no”-earning stories later.

Thanks again for all the comments. I’ll see that I post more often.

Birthday greetings to 7-year-old Misty May, a gorgeous red and white Husky from Versailles, KY!

Hi! My name is Bashan. I’m a 13-year-old black lab (Labrador retriever) living in San Pedro (Los Angeles), California with my human, Mikey. Being as old as I am, and what with my arthritis, cataracts and partial deafness  (OK, sometimes it’s selective), I don’t get around as well as I used to. I spend most of the day lying around, sleeping. Ugh. As I write that, I feel kind of sleazy, because I just described a cat. Yuck!

Anyway, with all this time on my paws, I figured I should do something constructive. Instead, I decided to blog.  It’s pretty easy. I’ve been around computers all my life. Mikey spends an inordinate amount of time working on and with them … time he could be spending petting me, feeding me, playing with me or walking me … you know, something useful.

As the blog’s subtitle implies, I’m going to reflect on my life and ramble about whatever comes to mind, always acting as if it is incredibly important and that you care. You know, just like every other blog out there. Don’t expect any posts around mealtime, though. I mean, come on! A girl’s gotta have priorities!