This is where I mention "Fear"...

I started this blog as a place to put into words what I feel for The Old Dog..


But I haven't really, I mean a couple mentions about how he is isn't saying a damned thing, now is it?


I'm scared now, The Old Dog isn't moving around much now, he isn't arguing with the other dogs about WHO owns the food bowl nor is he wanting to go outside and "guard" the house the way he did just a few short month or so ago..


He's old, I get that, I mean I understand about dogs getting old and everything (I have out-lived any number of my four footed friends) BUT this time I want to say NO!


No, you can't be laying around in front of the heater under the blanket in the middle of the day, you MUST want to go outside, snap at the other dogs when they get to close to YOUR bowl of food or water, YOU must snap at them when they try (I say TRY) to steal the bone from under your foot or take the ball away in a game of chase...


You must get up and go nose to nose with the cat and back down when he flicks your nose with his tail with that doggy smirk I know so well, the one that says, "I always let you win because I KNOW you are smaller than me and you are as old as me but we have been playing this game for years and we are "The Ones In Charge" but let's NOT tell the humans, ok?", THAT doggy smirk.....


No, you must get up and teach the children the proper way to pet a nose and to scratch your ears and that pulling fur is NOT OK....


No, you can't put your nose on the edge of the couch and look at me with the quiet dignity of one who knows his time is coming & that it's ok with you, BECAUSE IT'S NOT OK WITH ME!


But at 3a.m. I know and I can cry now because when the time comes tears won't be acceptable, I'll have to teach the children how to remember you with kindness and joy and when the cat comes looking I'll have to scoop him up and try to explain in my clumsy human way that HE is the only BOSS left......


And then I'll have to fold up your blankets and get all the bones and find the last unchewed ball and one last time I'll have to cover the Old Dog and make sure he's comfortable for his last nap......


And at 3a.m. I'll reach out and you won't be there and all I'll have is the sensory impression that you are staring at me in the dark waiting for me to flick the blanket over you and pet you and whisper, "We'll be ok? Won't we, boy?"


And I know even now, your answer will be


"Yes , we will because I am here for you"......