I have been kind of emotional today about B lately. He will be 9 in two weeks and he is slowing down. It is wonderful in many ways as he allows so much more affection than he ever has but ....................well it scares me.
I recall so many people telling me when he was young and driving me completely crazy, that the ones that ask so much of you dig deeper in your heart. All I can say is I have poured my heart and soul into him. And when the time comes .....................................
I feel so fortunate that after the knee and the shoulder and the elbow and the lumps and the severe allergies, he heals and keeps going.
There is only the slightest amount of gray in the muzzle so we can pretend he isn't getting old, OK that he IS old.
But he is losing muscle and his face looks different.
For the record so is mine..............both are true here too but I don't look in the mirror much :)
He tires so much more quickly and sleeps most of the day.
Don't get me wrong, don't exercise him and pay the price!
In the morning he attempts to run down the stairs and some days it is clear the old joints aren't oiled yet so my eyes get very big as I wait to see if he'll stop his momentum before he crashes into the front door. (and no, apparently WALKING down the stairs is still not acceptable)
His walks are still trots and he swims for miles now - really. But when he's done, he may have a final short zoomie and then he's happy to crash.
I focus on rejoicing in his happiness and healthiness. I know of way too many dogs lost earlier than this, and so few dogs his size are still going as strong at this age.
Just like with humans, each dog is unique. I thank my lucky stars I got this nutjob :)
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