The guy Cliff rides to work with saw our new dog, Iris, and said to Cliff, "That's an OLD dog; look how gray she is."
Wayside Waifs had Iris' age at three to six years old, but Tony's statement got me thinking she might be a lot older. Shelters have been known to guess the ages of animals wrong. And I worried about it for a little while.
Then I sat myself down and asked why it mattered. Iris could be ten years old and still have another five years ahead of her; but even if she only had a couple of years left, if they're good ones, she's worth the effort.
She plays with her toys and fetches a ball and a frisbee. She walks with a quick and lively step. She already shows a strong loyalty to me.
I wonder if she thought, the day I brought her home, "This person who adopted me looks really, really old. Will she live long enough to take care of me the rest of my life?"
I guess it goes both ways.
Ain't but three things in life that's worth a solitary dime....
AMEN MOSIE, AMEN! AND I LOVE THAT SONG...ALWAYS HAVE.
ReplyDeleteI always sing along with that song!! Although, I've never had watermelon wine. :)
ReplyDeleteMe neither, Amy.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna...reading your blog is pure pleasure...sometimes a smile..sometimes a laugh...sometimes just a thought for the day...but always "a good thing"!!!! Now if you would just figure out a way to replace this rain with some sunshine??? I know I know...we will need rain later and not get it...but why worry about tomorrow...today is today!!! hugs to you both....Ora
ReplyDeleteI agree totally!
ReplyDeletecouldn't have said it better, my friend!
ReplyDeleteknowing quite a bit about dogs, when i was introduced to dazzle, i thought she looked to be a much older dog (they had told me 1 1/2 at the time). but our vet said that was indeed a good guess. the gray hr that intertwines here & there has something to do with her mix of breeds. but her teeth, eyes, & manner tells the fact she is a young dog!
on the other hand, angel still looked & acted like a youngster at 13. she could run, jump, hear, & see, with the best & her teeth were excellent. altho she had gotten some gray around her eyes & muzzle. may she r.i.p.
then sweet pee, bless her little heart did not look her age with any gray, but she showed her age horribly in other ways, eyes, hearing, teeth, walking, & playing. r.i.p. little one.
so, who knows about iris, just enjoy your time with her & see that she enjoys hers with you. also, smart to make arrangements for her (with family or friends) in case you & cliff happen to go first. make sure they'll accept an old dog, in case you both precede her, but many yrs from now. (wish i had someone to take my 2 furrs should something happen to me).
God bless. may the 3 of you, live many, many, wonderful yrs together.
Truly it doesn't matter at all. Today is what counts. And I think that includes dogs too.
ReplyDeleteLOve that song!
ReplyDeleteLoved my old dog. She started getting white hairs early, before age 5 but lived to a great age for a big dog. (13) Need to find a recipe for watermelon wine!
ReplyDeleteYou have a beautiful soul and a funny bone. I like the last part about what Iris is thinking.
ReplyDeleteHave a great time with her. Sadie is probably looking down from dog heaven wanting to tell the new family member how fortunate she should be to have you.
"The only fault of the dog is that they don't live long enough"
ReplyDeleteMark Twain
Wonderful reads, I think you both needed each other. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteTake care and enjoy,
Katie
Iris's thoughts made me cry. Or maybe I just needed a good cry. AND whatever happened to Tom T Hall?
ReplyDelete