->  WC> Spanky's showing no sign of illness despite being non-neutered, 

->         So am I, I mean no illness. ;-)

->  WC> a pure bred dog and 16 years of age.
->  WC> Average age for breed is 12.

->         It is quite strange that we do get so attached to these
->    animals. I remember the last dog that we had. The Lady cried when I
->    had to go and get it euthanasia'd. Poor dog, rid with arthritis,
->    could not get up stairs anymore.

Spanky got like that 3 1/2 years ago.
Pit Bulls are tough but Spanky screamed ( something you don't
want to ever hear) and couldn't regain his feet.

My vet put him on the steroid dexamethasone and he's doing well ever
since.

The steroid itself would have killed Spanky some time
ago in the precribed dose but researching it on the net I educated
myself.

Administered continuously it shuts the animal's adrenal gland down
and the dog dies.
I've been giving him 1/2 the precribed dose two doses 12 hours apart
then 36 hours off with the next dose administered then.

I put a step up for Spanky so he can climb into bed and sleep with me.
When Spanky passes I'm quite certain I too shall cry as he's
been the most reliable, trustworthy and low maintanance friend 
I've ever had.

The old boy's getting quite grey in the face but still a happy
camper.
Yeterday he he played with three other dogs in the field across the
street in the empty lot and was very happy trotting around with them.
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