The cost benefit analysis of bringing animals into your life can vary for person to person.
Off we went to visit my father, her “grandpa”. She was solicitous of affection and was her old, sweet, usual self. No obvious signs of distress, heavy breathing or a dulled affect. She was downright perky!
I watched in awe but had in the back of my head the end of care guide, specifically the section in which it was written:
Surge of Energy
Occasionally, when someone is close to death, he has a temporary increase in energy and alertness. He may become talkative after a period of disorientation or sleepiness. He may ask for a favorite food after having refused meals and he may ask for visitors after a period of withdrawal. Take advantage of this time; it can be one of special closeness and a chance to express your love and support.
She remained pretty chipper the rest of Friday and had a great appetite.

and along with all the other animals — Bean, Trip, Grace, Lola and Byrne — spent the night with her on the floor. I knew she would never go upstairs again. I cried myself to sleep, quietly, so as not to stress out Callie who was herself already openly grieving for a dog she had known from her earliest memories.
I was able to roust her long enough to get her outside one last time. On wobbly legs she made a successful potty break and came back in. Back to her warm crate and rest.

Finally Trip came over to sit on my lap as I sat on the floor and make what Sophie calls his Old Man noises. I began a dialogue.
And frankly, although you are smart, funny and certainly have seniority age wise, I just don’t think you have the sobriety needed to rule fairly. You’re too happy happy joy joy all the time, and it doesn’t help that you get too overstimulated in that terrier way.”

But until the crown can fit snugly over his adolescent ego, we shall carry on during the interregnum.