“Dogs can tell you stuff without saying anything.”
― Victoria Carless, The Dream Walker
It has been a pretty quiet time in Hibdonville.
A couple of nights ago we had a storm roll through. None of our dogs like the lightning and thunder. This storm was especially loud, lasting so long even our twelve-year-old Lhasa, Bud, managed to jump up on our bed for comfort. I was certainly surprised. He had not done that for some time.
What I did not think about was how hard it might be on his arthritic back to jump down from the bed. I don’t think that move went well for him.
Yesterday, he isolated himself, refusing to move. Of course, I watched his every move–or lack of it–conjuring up all kinds of scenarios about what had happened to his little body as a result of his latest aerobatics. This is our dog who would run so fast as a puppy the only way he could stop himself was by running full speed into the couch. This is the same dog who played ball for hours and hours–stopping only when the “ball tosser” was completely exhausted. Not now. He was in pain and I was worried.
Yesterday was the second time in his long life when he did not go everywhere with me. Dogs are much wiser than we are–he was resting and letting his body heal. My mind could not–would not–fully accept that simple explanation.
Today, he is better–moving very slowly but up and moving. He is eating so I can sneak in some pain medication. His eyes and the tilt of his ears tell me he is feeling better. Of course Michael being home from the lease makes Bud’s world so much fuller and better.
Retirement has given me time to be with our dogs. This experience has reminded me time races on. Like so many things, I cannot take these little souls for granted. I need to treasure each and every day.
“When you have dogs, you witness their uncomplaining acceptance of suffering, their bright desire to make the most of life in spite of the limitations of age and disease, their calm awareness of the approaching end when their final hours come. They accept death with a grace that I hope I will one day be brave enough to muster.”
― Dean Koontz, A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog
I am…
B…simply being…
Praying for my Bud and asking God to bless us all.
~Peace~
B...simply being... 