Senior Pets  – A daily gift

I watch Flipflop while he sleeps, when he’s walking, and when he just wants to hang outside, he is just enjoy life. He can be demanding at times, you must pet him where he wants it. If you don’t he’ll show you where he wants to be pet, by moving your hand with his paw. He needs a certain level of crushed treats on his meal, if there’s not enough, he’ll stop and wait for more to be added so he can continue eat. I am well trained.

To some, this may sound a bit ridiculous, if he’s “hungry, he’ll eat”, or just “ignore him” and he’ll walk away. but I am much too aware of the reality of the situation.

Flipflop is 12, yes, he’s a healthy active 12-year-old dog, thankfully, but I know how that can change in an instant. I know that he may live to be 14-15 years old, even longer if I’m so lucky. But I also know that in an instant, something could happen and he will no longer be with me.

Sixx is just as demanding as his younger brother, if Flipflop gets a treat, he is right there demanding something for himself. When Flipflop gets his eye drops and gets his reward for being a good boy, Sixx is right there wanting his reward too. At night Sixx likes to let me know he comes to my bed, so I am woken up by him, insisting I pet him while he settles into a sleep. And if I stop, he is quick to let me know that it’s not acceptable I must continue.

Although he eats his kibble quite well, he does like his omega 3 oil in a seperate bowl, and if I forgot, he is sure to let me know!

I find myself looking at my memorial photos, of all my babies, who’ve passed on the to the bridge, it’s not lost on me that Sixx and Flipflop will have photos up there one day.

I used to grieve my pets before I lost them, so sad about one day losing them, and crying over their still, very alive bodies. I would cry, knowing the absolute heartbreak I would have down the road, again not knowing if that heartbreak would come in days, months, or years. I just knew it would come one day, and I would let my mind go there, even when the moment wasn’t happening at that time.

With Flipflop and Sixx I am working on a different mindset, a mindset that lets me be with them now, while they are here alive, happy, content, and living their best lives. Instead of letting my mind wonder to the heartbreak ahead, the knowledge of how hard it will be to go through the motions of life without them, I focus on what a blessing it is to have these seniors in my life.

I am grateful for every walk, long or short, Flipflop and I got on, every demand for some belly rubs, the cuddles from Sixx, as I sit here typing this, he’s curled up besdie me. I am grateful for the demands for treats and being woken up from my sleep.

Being lucky enough to have had these boys from their youth to their golden years is such an honour. And I have made a promise to myself, that I will not mourn these two boys, before their time. I will enjoy every moment I have been given with them and keep doing what I can to assist them in living their best life.  

Having senior pets is a gift, every moment with them is a blessing and an honour. If you have a senior, I hope you enjoy the daily blessings as much as I do.