I have learned that life with a senior dog is like riding on a roller-coaster. Just as I experienced most recently with my senior dog Trudi, who lived to be over sixteen years old, James is having his good days and his bad days. We go up and down, up-and-down. Sometimes this roller-coaster has steep downs…
Last Sunday and Monday were very bad days. James was having great difficulty walking. I first noticed this on our early morning walk together. We had walked just a short distance when he elected to turn around. I always let him make the call. We headed back. It was hard for him to climb the slight incline to our front door. Once he would lie down, he could rise up on his front legs, but the back end didn’t want to follow. By the second day of this, I was convinced his time was coming to an end.
Then, when Tuesday morning came, James rose all wide-eyed and bushy tailed. He came over to where I sat having morning coffee, and started nudging my arm. He seemed to be saying, Grab my leash and let’s head out! And, so we did. What a delightful walk we had. James in the lead, actually an entire 6 foot length ahead of me. He was in full trot, his head held high, his tail out straight and wagging. He was breathing in the crisp, fresh morning air, a smile on his face. I just kept following him.
He led me down past the Straw Bale Cafe, a mile down the road. He wanted to keep going. And, so we did. Along the way, he checked on the six barn cats who seem to appear out of nowhere when James stops by. They have become quite accustomed to his morning appearance, and come closer and closer each day. Once we made an about turn, we headed down the gravel road leading to the farmers pasture. Here, James made his usual stop at the barn gate hoping the three cows would come over to say hello. Two are quite sociable and came right over. A third, far out in the pasture, slowly meandered over for a quick sniff of James through the wooden slats. A little further on down the gravel road, James spotted a porcupine waddling through the just-mowed hayfield. Ooops! time to head on home.
It’s Friday now, and for the rest of James’ week he’s been riding high. I know we’ll he heading into more bad days, but, for now, I stick close to home, cherish each good day, and every precious walk we have together.