Old 'uns

A cloudy eyed Wavey, out of focus, is that not the point? Photo credit The Teenager.

I’m not renowned for my patience, so when it comes to old age in my dogs I could be on dodgy territory. Moss’s predecessor was Wavey, a Collie cross Lab, who carved herself a delightful place within our community.

As she became old she developed many of the old dog ailments we pretty much need to expect; arthritis, a heart murmur, the cloudy eyes of cataracts, and deafness. Her walks became increasingly short and involved endless sniffing and little wees, as she pottered from one interesting smell to another. It could have driven me nuts.

I remembered when Wavey was so full of energy that I used to hop on my bike to take her for a walk, I couldn’t keep up with her. I honestly wondered whether she’d ever have enough exercise. She seemed to be indomitable.

Gradually things started to slow down, she became more manageable, our energy levels were harmonious. The bottom line is that dogs tend to live for about fifteen years, a much shorter life span than ours. Yes, I know this is obvious! The point is, as dog owners we have to deal with an entire life span.

Making the most of old age in dogs can be a challenge. I was lucky, Wavey and I definitely grew closer, and she became the faithful companion I’d always hoped for. What moved me most about Wavey’s senior years was the total trust that she showed me, especially in her final moments.

I remember when she did her final tail wag as she lay dying, she was completely calm and completely trusting. All those years of consistent care came together, it was as though she handed me her body for safe keeping. It was a life changing experience.

AJK