My Golden Retriever, Annie has taught me a lot about life over the past 10 years. She has just turned 10 and that is 70 in dog years. She has taught me about love, patience, forgiveness, and much more.
Lately, the years have been beginning to show in the white muzzle and she has been showing the signs of arthritis. After being confirmed by her doctors here and in Georgia, we finally put her on Cosequin for her joints.
Within a couple of days, both cooler temperatures and her energy seem to come back to full strength. She actually raised up on her hind legs at the park to give a stranger a kiss on the face. Where as this is behavior I am not in favor of with strangers, it made my heart sing to see her feeling better.
The last week the temperatures soared back to the 90’s and even at 7 AM it was muggy and hot out for our morning 1.5 miles in the Park. She started pulling the old tricks again of lying down after the first ½ mile lap and refusing to go any farther. This was much to the dismay of Seamus (her younger brother, Brittany Spaniel) and myself. She has a unique way of telling us this by rolling over onto her back and not moving until she gets a fully belly rub and personal attention.
Today, I violated the park rules. It was only a couple of walkers we know and love the two dogs. I snapped off her leash and let her go free. Come to find out, she wasn’t exhausted… She needed to let out the inner puppy and telling me to do the same. She raced off to the swings and then flopped down on the ground to roll around on the grass. TOUCHDOWN ANNIE!! She didn’t want to walk around in circles. Annie wanted to play, be free from the leashes of life and smell the fresh cut grass.
After a couple of times around the playground kicking up those arthritic heels, she was ready to go back on lead and finish the laps.
I have been so busy with the move, my career and travel associated with it, and my in-laws 50th anniversary… I haven’t had a chance to do a lot for myself. Taking time to walk down to the pool and plop. Check out the gym with spin classes. Etc. So I urge everyone to look to their dogs for the little life lessons.. Naps, Exercise, plenty of water and toys, cuddle with the ones you love, and never lose your inner puppy.
