After my angels Loki departed at age 8, and Gemini at age 6, my goal in life had been to have a dog who lived until at least 10. I remember joking that I may have to adopted a senior dog to make this happen, as I didn't have much luck previously.
Now I am living with 2 senior dogs. I know I am watching our last moments together as I see them both slowing down. As I write this, I should clarify I don't see any immediate threat to their health, however, at the same time, nothing would surprise me.
I am looking at this stage of my dogs life as a gift. I am blessed that overall they are both happy and comfortable in their golden days. Phod needs his arthritis shot, has decreased stamina -there is no fetch and our walks get shorter. He avoids extra stairs and sleeps almost all day, and sleeps much deeper (he fails as a guard dog now, usually in our closet. He still has his moments of play and being silly, but they are shorter too. His vision seems pretty good, but his hearing is not what it was.
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| I have taken your seat |
Hailey has never fully recovered from her neurological event. She is still tippy. She doesn't run and jump like she used to. She is dragging her back paw more noticeably. Her stamina is much less and is clear she doesn't see as well. She has become a picky eater, who would have imagined that. The upshot is, she hasn't destroyed anything and I am not as worried she will. Also, while she may make a little dash to the neighbours or into the bush, we can trust her off leash way more because we know she isn't going far.
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| Annoyed I am taking her picture |
What I miss most besides the cuddles on the couch neither want to get on, and my full time work supervisor in Phod, is the long walks. Some times I admit, I resented those long walks when they needed to happen. However now I know physically and mentally I was healthier when I was doing them. I admit, I love these 2 with all my hearts and they will spend the remainder of their days in my care, I do think about getting a third, younger dog, for a walking companion. Man, plus knowing Lee and Phod wouldn't appreciate this, prevent me from doing it. I need to stop being lazy and just take myself for a long walk, I hear it is possible.
In spite of the changes, I am so grateful to have this chapter with them. I would not change it for the world. I have even less understanding and compassion for people who dump a dog just because they are old. It may be true that old dogs are the best. I am just going to cherish the moments we have.
