Old Dogs Are The Best Dogs

I have 3 dogs - two of which are elderly.  They are truly my darling friends and "children." I only have one child that is grown and lives so far away from me that I cannot visit often. My one Cairn Terrier is going to be 18 in September.  He was a Valentines Day gift from my husband.  I lost my husband very unexpectantly 15 months ago yesterday.  My Newfoundland is thirteen years old, and then I have a Cairn Terrier that is only three years old.  When their dad died last year they were sad but they wrapped their love around me. They are awesome friends- I am young but I am disabled by MS and another incurable disease.  It seems like they know when I am in extreme pain because they show me extra attention.  My two older ones are on medications and they know that I am taking care of them.  My young Cairn Terrier had to go through a total knee replacement because even though the previous owners paid $1100.00 for her they were not loving, devoted pet owners. They gave Abagail to us and what a delight she was to my husband, myself and the older dogs.  After my husband's massive heart attack she needed the surgery.  When she was strong enough, I did her physical therapy with her.  It was good for both of us.  As dogs get older , they depend on us more and more.  There are days that they are my mental therapy since I am a young widow, living alone.  I rejoice in the bond that we have formed over the years.  Like my previous dogs and pets, there will be a day that we will have to say goodbye.  However, those dogs live on in my beautiful memories that they gave to me.

Our family too has recently lost "an old girl". Her name was Isis and she was the most amazing Rot that ever lived. Our youngest daughter got her when she was just a tiny little ball of fur as a reward for learning how to read. Isis quickly wormed her way into all of our hearts as well as our home. She became an ever present figure in our lives. We have three daughters and they became her "children" as well. She was continually in the middle of thier play as a companion and a guardian. Early on we made the decision to take her to obedience class. We felt that having a dog this size required a certain amount of control, and this would integrate her more into the family. It was the best decision we made for her and us. She took to it like a champ and quickly became the star of the class. Her ability to obey opened a whole new world for her. Where we went, she went. Softball games were a favorite for her. She loved to go to the game with the family and would lay by the bleachers calmly until the crowd cheered for a play and then she would bark and spin around. We live in a relatively small down and almost everyone knew Isis. If she missed a game everyone asked about her. She had special treats at the local burger joint, and was frequently welcomed at school to demonstrate her obedience skills to a few of the classes. Her job was the family "greeter". She would sit patiently at the front door, stubby tail wagging, looking out the glass. When people came over, her 110 lb frame was the first thing they saw as they came up the sidewalk. This provided alot of entertainment when the girls started dating. We always told the boys that they had to get Isis's approval to date the girls and they needed to take her on the first date. On more than one occasion, Isis could be seen cruising down the street in the back of a car going on a short first date to the burger joint for a treat. We always included her when possible. Yearly family portraits were made and she was there, in the middle, surrounded by her girls. As the girls got older, and her as well, she became more content to hang out in the living room on her "love seat" like a queen watching her kingdom. As she aged, she became less active. She still went with the girls alot but time was taking a hold on her. Her hips began to give way and eventually her new throne was a fluffy palate on the floor. She still made her daily patrols but her step was not quite as lively. She started becoming ill more often and one afternoon became very sick. We knew it was time so we tried to call our vet but could not get him so we all gathered around her in the backyard in the grass and stayed with her till the end. It was a painful passing, but as always she was a graceful, gentle giant. We loved her till her last breath and always will. The news of her passing spread quickly and many of the girls friends (Isis's as well) came by, called, cried, and grieved with us. Our house is not the same and though she is gone, she will never be forgotten. I have had many a person comment that until they met her they had no idea a dog could be so special.........she is sorely missed.

What a lovely tail......(tale) of old dogs!!!! Loved it! I just lost my beloved Bichon, Leilei last June and she had such special little things that she would do too....miss her sooo much....luckily, I still have her sister to keep me company, she's a senior dog too...

Thanks again!!!