I have to admit, I am partial to seniors pets. Within the past few months I have lost a 14 year old Corgi and a not-sure-how -old senior mutt rescue. Both were priceless and precious. At the time of this writing I am dealing with my 15 year old Corgi’s slow descent. Not fun or funny, but it is a fact of life with our pets here at my house: ’til death do us part. And I truly mean it.
Just a Dog
From time to time people tell me, “Lighten up. It’s just a dog.”
or “That’s a lot of money for just a dog.”
They don’t understand the distance traveled, time spent or costs involved for “Just a dog”.
Some of my proudest moments have come about with “Just a dog”.
Many hours have passed with my only company being “Just a dog“
and not once have I felt slighted.
Some of my saddest moments were brought about by “just a dog“.
In those days of darkness ,
the gentle touch of “Just a dog” provided comfort
and purpose to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it’s “Just a dog“, you will probably understand phrases like
“Just a friend” or “just a sunrise” or “Just a promise“.
“Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust,
and pure unbridled joy. “Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.
Because of “Just a dog” I will rise early,
take long walks, and look longingly to the future.
For me and folks like me, it’s not “Just a dog“.
It’s an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future,
the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
“Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts
away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday people can understand it’s not “Just a dog.”
It’s the thing that gives me humanity and keep me from being
“Just a man ” or “Just a woman”.
So the next time you hear the phrase “Just a dog“,
Smile because they “Just don’t understand“..
R. Bily, Versatile Hunting Dog, 2006
Take heart, tho, there are myriad ways to assist our pets as they approach their venerable years.
One of the fastest growing industries is senior care, and aging baby boomers are eager to make sure that the services they need are contracted and paid for.These services include short-term care, long-term care, respite care, therapeutic services, rehabilitation, and hospice care. As a society, we are becoming more used to thinking in these terms, and we are training, developing, and expanding resources to cover the growing needs of this population. The savvier members of the pet industry are learning a thing or two about senior care, and they’re providing similar services and resources to owners of elderly pets. Companies like Downey-based SeniorPetProducts.com are making a killing keeping old dogs living happily. SeniorPetProducts.com, for example, offers product lines arranged specifically for helping with the wellness, safety and comfort, mobility, and lifestyle of the elderly dog and cat., and many of the products resemble lines designed for elderly people, such as lifting harnesses, synovial joint remedies, and mobility aids. They also provide a book store and a knowledge base for the pet owner who wants to know more. Canine massage, acupuncture and prescribed herb diets are helpful, too. When searching for help with your elderly pet, if you have a pet sitter, ask specifically for their experience with senior pets and associated products. A good pet sitter will be able to offer suggestions and use the resources in a way that increased your pet’s life and improves the quality of that life.
Enjoy Pam Holt’s (of Buddha Dog Massage) instruction on dog massage:
