On April 7, 2021, the vet came to the house for Mongo.  Poor Mongo couldn’t stand up on his own to do his business anymore.  Drew and Dad had been carrying him outside and back inside, but even just handling the business end was too much for him.  Rest in peace little friend.

Mr. Mongo has not been doing well lately.  Back in September, he dislocated a hip when a tree limb fell in the back yard and scared him.  He went to physical therapy and definitely improved. 

He was still able to raid the kitchen counter at least once.

And when the family left him home from the big birthday celebration hike for Kimi in October, he wreaked his special brand of havoc.  Drewbie asked Dad if he had made any special arrangements for Mongo while the family was out on the peninsula.  “Nope, we’ll be back just after dinner time”, replied Dad, with a quizzical look. 

“I’ll bet he trashes the kitchen again.”

Drew was right.

However, by December, Mongo started back downhill.  He began to have problems in his hips again, but now he was showing problems on both sides.

Several trips to the vet led to the conclusion that he was showing signs of advanced arthritis in his spine.  As time has progressed the arthritis started moving into his front legs.  He began to have issues getting up to go out in the yard.

Every day became a struggle for him to get up and out.  He even was given a special bed that was raised up off the floor just at his height so that he could slide into and out of it without having to move up and down too much.

His mobility was so restricted, he could no longer go to his physical therapy.  The family has to lift him onto his feet and then steady him into the backyard to do his business. 

He spends most of his time trying to find a comfortable position to sleep.

Never the less, when he is awake, his big black button-eyes maintain that keen sparkle that set him apart from the rest of the pack.