Re: [PyrNet-L] CHAT: Fw: AUTUMN

["SWachter" <SWachter@email.msn.com>]

Thank you, Barb.  I have a 12 year old lady and we are going through autumn
together.  Hearing is about gone, eyes don't see as well, bone spurs,
arthritis, muscle wasteing, but still a loving dog underneath.  We don't get
lost in the corner.....yet.
susan
-----Original Message-----
From: Barb Bowes <bamb@monmouth.com>
To: Great Pyrenees Discussion List <PYR-L@APPLE.EASE.LSOFT.COM>
Cc: pyrnet-l@pyrnet.org <pyrnet-l@pyrnet.org>; great_pyrenees@egroups.com
<great_pyrenees@egroups.com>; 0-A-Wee-Great-Pyrenees
<0-A-Wee-Great-Pyrenees@onelist.com>
Date: Sunday, March 26, 2000 9:50 AM
Subject: [PyrNet-L] CHAT: Fw: AUTUMN


>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
>> >
>
>
>
>
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