Thoughts on Seeing Two Old Dogs in the park....
I was jogging in Tookany Creek Park a little bit ago, and saw this man walking these two dogs, entirely grey in the muzzle, clearly "American Full Breds" to quote John DiBella, a champion of animals from WMGK, and it got me thinking about Senior Cats and Dogs. It is one of the greatest things in the world to see or meet an old dog or cat, because so many of them never make it to old age, and those that do are truly lucky and blessed, but there is more to it than recognizing the kind, respectful, sage, and loving parents of these animals. It is wonderful because these animals, who share their lives with us, do not live very long, and we know that they will leave before we do, most of the time. As I looked at those two old dogs, I saw 10 or 12 or 14 years worth of memories, good memories. I saw walks in the park, goofy behavior, hugs and cuddles. I saw those accidents for which we could "never stay mad," and which made wonderful stories to tell our friends. I saw years of doggie kisses, greetings at the door, sweet meowings demanding attention; I saw that morning when she just HAD to bite my toes, or lay herself down my chest. I saw him flopping down on my feet each night while I worked, simply content to be there, smelling me, and listening to me breathe. I saw those mornings when I was feeling like crap, and they just hopped into bed and kept me company. I saw years of reasons to get up (because they can't buy their own wet food!). I saw reasons to keep on living and loving. I think about my own Grannie Project fosters: Winter, Leela, Zeus, Autumn, Stormy, Lady, Love, Justin, Newman (Matthias) and those still to come.
Each of them came into my home with stories and histories and a past. As each entered my life and showed me love, I was able to pour some love into them. Newman and Winter never found new forever homes to replace those they lost, but, as Amanda told me the night of Winter's death, at least Winter was able to reunite with his owner, and surely, if there is such a place as Heaven, it cannot be that, if our loving pets are not there. Newman had a tough life, but got a second chance at love and life, which many do not get, and I was lucky enough to meet a silly, goofy boy and enjoy his antics. Those others, who have found their way into new homes, get to carry the love I put into them (and their previous owners put into them) into these new homes. That love is magnified through their transmission, and is a blessing on their new homes.
Newman (once Matthias) used to love to chirp and just sit gazing at me while I worked. Dogs and Cats are not with us long enough, and those of us lucky enough to escort a dog or cat through a long life are amazingly lucky. Lucky, too, are those people who open up their homes to a senior pet. Every time you look in that dog's eyes, or scratch that cat's chin, you are able, vicariously, to partake in all the years of happiness that dog or cat gave to a loving family. Better yet, you are able to honor that joy that animal gave, by insuring that he/she gets to spend as much time as possible flopped at your feet, cuddled by your hip in bed, or sitting on the back of the chair above your head. Love is a two-way street, but senior dogs and cats have had a lifetime of practice. There are not enough senior cats and dogs in this world, and our world is a sadder place for it, BUT thanks to the work of The Grannie Project and City of Elderly Love, we are beginning to see more and more of these seniors, and we are getting the chance to honor their love, as they flop their old bones down next to us on the couch to sleep, nap, and just listen to us breathe.