Aging and reality, thoughts that bother me

The recent (current?) illness of my 3 dogs really brought aging to light
for me. Since we don't know the cause of the illness, there are a lot
of unanswered questions, but there is no doubt in my mind that Marcie's
youth and general health kept her healthier through all of this than
Lucy's aging body.

I think of Lucy as timeless. She's such a playful and happy girl, and
to see her not doing her happy dance for meals (but still eating them
mind you) was crushing. Of 3 sick dogs, she's the only one that
needed to stay at the vet, get her meds IV, have her body get total rest
and 24/7 care. I have to come to grips with the fact that at 12+, she's
not as hearty as she once was and that she won't live forever. I hate
having to realize that.

She is a little stiff sometimes, but no big deal. Some days she can
leap right into the car, other days she needs a boost. Yesterday, she
needed more than a boost, her body weakened by illness and not quite up
to par. She is much improved today, pretty much herself, but still a
little on the quiet side. The house was horridly quiet without her here
on Monday night. How a senior dog missing can create that silence was
quite surprising. I hate the idea of her not being here at all at some
point in the future.

Once everyone is well, I think I really need to make sure we get a lot
of swimming days in, enjoy the summer sunshine, and live canine life to
the fullest. Not that we don't try to do all of those things anyway,
but I feel a stronger commitment to it now. I think every day I have
her with me is a blessing.

--
Janet Boss
www.bestfriendsdogobedience.com
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Aging and reality, thoughts that bother me
    ... Since we don't know the cause of the illness, ... mind you) was crushing. ... The house was horridly quiet without her here ... I hope your dogs feel better soon! ...
    (rec.pets.dogs.health)
  • Re: Aging and reality, thoughts that bother me
    ... Since we don't know the cause of the illness, ... other days she needs a boost. ... The house was horridly quiet without her here ... I'm sorry to hear that all your dogs have serious illnesses. ...
    (rec.pets.dogs.health)
  • Re: The ultimate cause of aging
    ... But how do you explain the fact that the dog seems to age 8 times faster ... Both dogs and humans have evolved to keep certain juvenile traits ... Their developmental aging process has ... They reach adolescence much later, ...
    (sci.bio.evolution)
  • Re: Question for geneticists: Aging
    ... A dog at the age of 10 experiences many of the same symptoms of old age ... Perhaps we humans have ... process than have dogs. ... Or can the different rates in aging be better explained by the theory ...
    (talk.origins)
  • Re: Jack is acting strangely, help please
    ... feelings about the death or illness of one of your dogs, ... deserve a kick in the pants. ...
    (rec.pets.dogs.behavior)
Loading