[PyrNet-L] CHAT: Fw: AUTUMN

["Barb Bowes" <bamb@monmouth.com>]

Received this from a friend. Thought you might enjoy it.

Barb Bowes
Bo, Molly, Chelsea (Pyrs) & Flopsy (Pyr Shep)
The more people I meet, the more I like my dog!
bamb@monmouth.com

>
> > AUTUMN
> >
> > What do we do when our loving pets face the last leg of the
> race? We
> > do all we can to help them finish well, of course. We take
time
> to
> > read the unspoken needs of the friends we've come to know so
> well.
> >
> > We give the simple reassurance of a loving touch when the old
> boy
> > seems confused for no reason.
> >
> > We groom them faithfully, but more gently, as age brings
muscle
> > wasting, and the arthritic bones aren't so well padded.
> >
> > We learn to slow down for their sake, as they enjoy the scent
> of the
> > wind, or track a visitors trail across their yard.
> >
> > We expect to be inconvenienced, and aren't angry when it
> happens.
> >
> > We watch for pain and treat it, watch for changes in vision
and
> > hearing and do what we can to help preserve those precious
> senses for
> > as long as possible.
> >
> > We take care of their teeth, and make sure their food is a
> manageable
> > texture for them.
> >
> > We remind them of the need for a potty walk when they seem to
> forget.
> >
> > We remember the little rewards. We scratch the graying ears
and
> > tummy, and go for car rides together. When the pet we love
has
> an
> > unexplained need for comfort, we give it freely. When
> infirmities
> > bring a sense of vulnerability, we become our old guardian's
> > protector.
> >
> > We watch their deepest slumbers, when dreams take them
running
> across
> > long-forgotten fields, and we remember those fields too. When
> they
> > cannot stand alone, we lift them. When their steps are
> uncertain, we
> > steady them.
> >
> > And if their health fails, it falls to us to make the choice
> that
> > will gently put them to rest. But until that is absolutely
> > necessary, we pause to let the autumn sun warm our old
friend's
> > bones. And we realize, autumn is not a bad time of year at
all.
> >
> > Old age is not a disease or a reason to give up. It is a
stage
> of
> > life that brings its own changes. Autumn can be a beautiful
> time of
> > harvest.
> >
> > And, sometimes, the harvest is love.
> >
> > author-- Christy Caballero
> >