269 Senior citizen of a different breed

A Senior Citizen of a Different Breed

By Teri Merrill

I gave him a tender touch, gently awakening him before the sun had risen. "Remember, no food or water before your procedure. Doctor's orders." Mornings aren't his favorite, but breakfast is, so it was if I had delivered a double negative in one short sentence. He was not a happy camper!

Following his surgery, he was groggy and a bit grumpy. He took immediately to his bed, grunting at me along the way. This was his second bladder procedure in three years, and I had been worried since scheduling it. He’s on the golden side of life now, so the risks of anesthesia have increased. I had a long list of post-op instructions and medications to keep him comfortable. That evening he managed to eat a small dinner with enthusiasm, so I knew Scooter would be okay.

This isn’t my husband I’m talking about. Scooter is my 14-year-old Bichon mix, who joined our family four years ago. The oversight, worry and care required for an aging pup may eclipse that of many humans. And the costs associated with his care likely equal or rival that of many aging adults.

Scooter is on a special diet that requires a prescription. He only drinks distilled water. He takes heart medications daily. We keep a steady supply of ear drops for his regular ear infections. He has his anal glands cleaned out about every six weeks. He requires regular allergy shots. We keep special cough medicine on hand. And this doesn’t even include the regular shots, check-ups, and heartworm and flea medications required to keep him healthy.

But we wouldn’t have it any other way. In fact, we wanted to adopt a senior dog and welcomed Scooter into our home when he was 10. His primary caretaker had died and no one in his immediate family wanted him because he was "too old." He was given up to a foster mother just when he needed a “real” family the most. Heartbreaking as that is, I have come to learn that this is a common reason why older canines are surrendered to animal shelters--and most don't make it out. Imagine abandoning your Grandfather because he was a senior citizen! One look at Scooter's downcast eyes and depleted demeanor when we met him, and we knew we had to bring him home.

Confusion seemed to rule his first few days with us. He didn't know us, and we didn't know him. And suddenly, he had a baby sister, Dixie, our five-year-old, seven-pound charismatic Chihuahua. For every inch of the room Dixie's charming personality-filled, Scooter's reticence overshadowed it. He moved with extreme caution, not sure to trust us or his newly minted future. That first week, we started to wonder if that adage, "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" was really true. But soon, as if a light switch was turned on, the "real" Scooter began to unfurl.

Week two, as we put our pups to bed, Dixie jumped into his crate to cuddle with her new brother. Until then, he had given her barely a passing sniff. But that night, Scooter gave a grunt and snuggled up next to her. He was finally home.

Over the past four years, we've watched in awe as Scooter has taught us how to age with grace, dignity and acceptance, something we never 

expected the day we laid eyes on his frosted face. Yes, we wanted to adopt a more seasoned pup, but we had no idea that we would be the "old dogs learning new tricks." Every day, Scooter shows us how to navigate the world by living in the moment, finding happiness in the smallest things, and perhaps most importantly, championing unconditional love!

Scooter may have a few more healthy years left, but it’s just as likely he may have a few difficult ones, filled with frequent visits to the vet. We don't care. We'll love and support Scooter no matter what time brings him--or us for that matter.

Scooter today is healthy, happy, and ready for his afternoon walk. We will take it slowly, letting him sniff to his heart’s content, turning around for home when he gives us the signal. And as I watch my little pup move through the seasons, my hope is that as my husband and I turn more grey and start to slow down, others will give us the same amount of respect, compassion, and support that we abundantly give to our sweet old man.

                                                                          Teri