A Doggie Birthday Tradition

I have a birthday tradition with each of my dogs - on the day of their birth I hold them tight, and whisper into their ear a short story created especially for them. Here is what I whispered into Dusty's ear this morning: "Seventeen years ago today, a puppy was born! And his name was Dusty. He grew up to be a great herding dog, a great obedience dog, and we had fun in agility and tracking too. But most importantly, he was my First Sheltie. Because of this, everything we explored and accomplished was a First. That makes my Dusty a very special dog indeed. Happy Birthday, my Dusty!!

It's with happiness that I have a dog who's reached such an old age in great health, and also a bittersweet realization that this most likely will be the last Birthday story I'll whisper into his ear. While he's still pretty cognizant of his surroundings, senility is winning over. He's begun to take some medication that will help him remember day and night, which he sometimes mixes up. His sight is pretty much gone and the hearing is beginning to go. He will eat nothing but baby food and broth.

I'm glad for the wonderful, mild winter as that's made life pretty easy for Dusty. He can easily walk around our back yard - no heavy snow drifts which at this point he could not negotiate. I'd probably have to shovel a little potty area for him if we'd had too much snow. Dusty enjoys a good barkfest with the other dogs, and he still views being Bed Dog as his most important job.

Even when he awakens me at 3:00 a.m. to potty that's a good thing - not many dogs his age are able to control their rear. So yes, I'm sleepy, but I tell him he's a Good Boy, and with a hug and a kiss we go outside so he can do his business.

I know that there will be a time when I can sleep through the night undisturbed by an old dog who needs to go outside. I am not looking forward to that.

So today there just aren't enough hugs and kisses for a dog who has made it to Seventeen, and made it in good style. We will celebrate this amazing day, and each wonderful day that will follow with my Dusty in it.

Good boy!