Living With An Aging Dog
Originally Published November 16, 2020
How are you holding up with everything? I hope you're not thinking "B.O.R.I.N.G. Janet, you're always asking that question"! True, I am, because I do want to know how you're doing — the relationship we've established during the time we've been connected is important to me, and I not only care about your animals, I care about you.
We're fine...... NO, SCRATCH THAT. We're doing the best we can with everything that's going on. Just like so many of you, I'm doing what I can, as I can. A batch of Flatlander Chili is literally on the back burner as I write this and later this afternoon I plan on playing with the free form crochet shawl I’m making. Here’s the chili recipe ICYI. Once the chili got going, I couldn’t resist making some cornbread.
One area that I have found taking more energy and effort than I have anticipated is caring for Max and Raven. Cat Raven pretty much does his own thing, but as Max ages he is becoming more and more high maintenance. He demands immediate attention to his needs: changing food, elimination, exercise, sleep habits and the precise placement of his floor fan. He never, literally never, leaves my side.
Max has gone from the 'gnarly dude' of his youth, to a refined, dignified senior canine — seemingly overnight. On the plus side, he's in good health "for his 15 years", as his vet always tells me.
This brings up a LOT of feels for me, a juggling of my own emotional needs as I witness and assist with Max's journey, alongside the practical needs of everyday life and the whatever-the-heck-they-are needs of 2020.
It takes tending and nurturing, conversation and community. And somedays, like yesterday, when I feel swallowed by the reality of what is, it takes owning that I'm doing the best I can as I can.
How about you? What's going on between you and the animal family? Are you hanging in there? Do you need help hanging in there? If you're feeling swallowed up by the needs of the animal family members while balancing everyday life and 2020 life, I'm here for you, I can help.
