Tango, Fran’s 13-year-old Brussels Griffon, had a tough week. It’s not unexpected. Old dogs are scary. It’s not that he’s gotten mean or hostile. It’s that things you take for granted are harder, slower, more difficult.
Even though he lives in air-conditioned comfort, the extreme heat this summer is taking a toll. The humidity doesn’t help, either. This week it’s more moderate and he’s feeling better. But it’s been a frightening time lately..
Slowing down
When you’re lucky enough to have an old dog, some things are little “hold your breath” moments. Like the times you go to wake him for a walk and he doesn’t wake right away. And you jiggle him a little bit and he’s limp and doesn’t respond. How you finally exhale when he stretches a bit and you know he was just deeply asleep.
There are the almost-funny moments when this dog, absolute macho boy that he’s always been, absolutely refuses to squat while peeing and teeters on the brink of disaster every time he lifts his leg. It’s okay. The worst that can happen is he’ll need a wipe-down (okay, bath) when we get back in the house.
Yesterday was bad
It’s a little heartbreaking when he can’t do the things he used to do. Can’t manage a flight of stairs anymore, but jumps up on the couch. Doesn’t see well enough to find us in the yard in bright sunshine. So we move to cover him with our shadows so he can find the treat we’re holding out for him. There are lots of little accommodations you make for an old dog. Because he’s dear.
It can’t help but change your mood. When he has difficulty playing his favorite training games, lying down in the middle like it’s just too much. Our voices are sometimes sharper talking to him – it’s a tinge of fear. The things that were so easy a few months ago, now seem beyond his ability.
One thing that’s changed for the better as Tango’s mellowed with age. He’s become the perfect host. He loves having people over and charms even non-dog people with his gentle manners and slowly-wagging nub of a tail. This from the dog who, 12 years ago, would have happily attacked anyone but Fran. Although he was never much of a threat – the half-dozen teeth he used to have are almost all gone.
Good days for old dogs
Today is a good day. He happily played a dozen-plus “Put your Toys Away.” And did his stretching and bending exercises like a champ. But he didn’t complain bitterly from his crate when it was the other dogs’ turns. We miss that a bit, even if it always aggravates us into saying “Tango, quiet!” It’s the little, habitual things that pile up into a lifetime of precious memories.
If it sounds like we’re getting ready for the inevitable, it’s partially true. To the best of our knowledge, there’s nothing wrong, aside from natural aging. When you have a senior dog, especially one into their teens, there’s a niggle in the back of your mind. So you watch especially closely, storing up the memories.
Because it’s a good day, we’re going to revert to our #1 lesson from last week’s post about things we can learn from dogs. We’re going to enjoy this moment, this good day.
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Love this!
Thank you, Charlie!
I felt this post. We just had to help our 16(?) year old poodle cross over. He, too, became so sweet as he aged! Now we have another 16 year old mixed breed who has some arthritis and I’m watching to make sure he isn’t in too much pain. It stinks.
We empathize with you. The old ones are so very precious. We try not to let our concern show, but some days its easier than others.