Thank you, my friends. Thank you for reading, for wise counsel, for sharing your own stories with all of us. I debated writing about my worries yesterday. Actually, I wasn’t going to do it, but as sometimes happens, I started writing about the horses and my grandfather and somehow that tied in to other people in my life and, eventually, brought me around to our situation. When that happens, it’s as if the post is writing itself. I just step back and let it happen.
I’ve repeatedly witnessed what happens with that sort of post. It resonates in a way I hadn’t expected. And that’s exactly what happened yesterday. The discussion we had in the comments section was simply wonderful; honest and brave. Knowing we are not alone is a huge comfort. It also puts things into perspective and keeps us from playing the victim card. Everyone is dealing with change and struggle and, sometimes, fear. I’ve said it before on this blog: I refuse to be a victim. But that doesn’t make my struggles any less real. Or yours. We take responsibility, we acknowledge the ways of our current world, and we do our best.
So, thank you again. I’m blessed by your presence in my life.
I looked up the other day and saw this.
After my heart had melted, I grabbed the camera. Wouldn’t you?
He’s petting his girl. I’ve seen this a few times since – always in the late afternoon – and it always fills my heart to overflowing.
Scout is very thin these days. It wasn’t that long ago that the vet told us she was overweight. Now, I can pick her up easily – she’s like a feather. She struggles when moving about the house. Her hips and back legs are weak. But she’s still our girl. She eats heartily. She is demanding (thank goodness!) She’s hanging in there.
But day by day, we tick off things she doesn’t do anymore. She doesn’t jump up on the loveseat anymore. That’s happened within the past few weeks. She doesn’t pounce. Though she still ‘gallops’ she doesn’t do it as much as she used to.
And we miss all of it.
She’ll be seventeen in early January. She remains the light of our lives. We’ve been extraordinarily blessed by her magical, wondrous being.
Okay. Let’s look at a pretty flower.
It rained heavily overnight and it looks like we’re going to have rain nearly every day for the next week. How I wish I could send some to my friends who live in drought-stricken states! We’re going to be getting too much rain. You would give anything for some moisture.
Hopefully, the advent of El Nino will help to ease some of the drought conditions. I so hope that is the case for all of you.
Happy Wednesday.
Awww, Claudia, I surely do understand your worries with Scout. Living with an old dog makes you slow down, appreciate every day with her/him and unfortunately watch as the changes happen. We are there, too, with Kane. I don’t have to tell you to just love her, keep her comfy and enjoy the moments. Sending a hug, Deb
We do and we are, Deb. Thinking of you and Kane, and sending love your way.
Oh the twilight of our pets lives is so difficult. Our last precious dog that made the move when we retired with us to Arizona left us shortly after and like you we were grateful for every single day, every moment. Sometimes we did not realize how much she had “slowed” until about a year later a bouncing little rescue needed a home. Phew that was certainly a change.
Your little girl is well loved and honored by both you and Don.
We love our little girl, Cindy. Though she has slowed down and has problems, she’s still strong and until we think that it’s the time – it isn’t! I know you understand, my friend.
Claudia, The picture of Don and Scout is so sweet. I love my dogs so I completely understand. Doris
Thank you, Doris.
Love that “boy and his dog” photo…so beautiful. I feel your pain in watching your girl grow old. Wish I had some magic words of consolation, but the inevitabilities of life can be so crushing. Just know you are not alone. Your heartfelt words remind your readers of that fact on a daily basis. Thank you.
Thank you, Shanna. Knowing I’m not alone helps me enormously.
That is the sweetest photo of Don and Scout, Claudia…so much love…
Thank you, Linda.
What a sweet picture! Reminds me of John and 16 year old Victor who are boon companions. Before we married I said that I’d always have cats, he said he didn’t like cats very much. Well, that sure changed!
Yesterday’s post did indeed resonate; I’m still thinking about what you and others have said and are experiencing. I’m not sure Browning knew what he was talking about with,”Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be.” Some “best”, of course, but a lot of stress as well. We just do our best, I suppose.
We have had over 11″ of rain in September, almost twice the norm, and more than half of it in intense street-flooding bursts. Meanwhile large sections of the state are experiencing drought.
You’ve had a lot of rain! We’ve had about 2 – 3 inches in the last 24 hours.
Yes, you’re right – We all do our best.
My Newf, Bear lost 20 lbs. for no reason and the vet told me to feed him more. He said sometimes as they get older they need more nutrition. So instead of 4 cups of food a day he gets 6 cups and his weight is a steady 147 lbs. now. Bless her heart. It’s never easy seeing the changes old age brings to us and our loved ones.
She will only eat her normal amount. Now, treats…That’s another story!
We would love some of that rain up here in Washington Claudia! Many of the fires are still burning, although not as intense as in August. We’re told some will burn until the snow flies, if it indeed does fly this year. Last year there was not any snow to speak of, which is why we’re in this position with the fires. My husband sits on the floor every night with our Chloe dog. She just looks at him with her big brown eyes and he gets out of his chair onto the floor with her. She is only 8, (we think), but has aged a lot in the past year. I see it in her face and slower movements. A little background on our girl. She was thrown out of a car on the freeway as a little puppy. Someone found her and took her to an emergency vet and left her there. Two years of surgeries on her broken pelvis and broken legs, we became her forever home. She is our baby and absolutely the best dog we’ve ever had. And that’s saying something. It’s like she is so grateful for everything we do for her.
Blessings,
Betsy
What a story! Bless your hearts for adopting your Chloe. And whoever threw her out of that car will get a karmic payback, that’s for sure!
Definitely a “photo of the week”!
Isn’t there an expression something to the effect of “there are no strangers, only friends you haven’t yet met”? (I probably read that on the wall of a diner or somewhere similar..) Thank you for facilitating yesterday’s discussion. I confess I am not at all familiar with the health care system or retirement benefits in America, so yesterday’s comments were very enlightening.
Please give Miss Scout a pat from me. :)
I like that saying, and I think in terms of blogging, it’s very true indeed. I’ll give Scoutie a pat right now, Barbara.
I am keeping you, Don and Scout in my thoughts and prayers. If I was made of money I would want to help you guys out because that is what good people like yourselves deserve. Everyone needs a break at some point. My husband and I have had our share of ups and downs, enough for a life time and at some point it should end. With all the stuff dished out, it only makes you stronger and karma has a way of sorting things out.
Many HUGS!
Yes, it does. Thanks for the hugs – sending them right back to you, Nancy.
Scout knows that she is safe and well-fed and loved. What could be more important than that? All three of you are blessed, as are Winston and Riley.
Nothing. We love her and will take good care of her while she’s still with us. She’s our baby.
Oh, that beautiful picture. Brought tears. We are back to being a 2 pup family after losing our dear sweet Mary in Feb. Having dogs (or cats, etc.) is the most wonderful and joyful thing we experience until this time is upon us. Then it is harder than we can ever imagine. I send you and Don thoughts and prayers, and for sweet Scout, more days filled with joy and peace. ?
I agree. I can’t imagine my life without a dog. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, Chris!
Photo of the week – no kidding. And do I have it right? Don is asleep here, but Scout isn’t? Wow, way too cute for color TV. PS – our Duchess [think water spaniel with German shepherd coloring], who made it to 16, was the same as Scout. She got thinner in her old age but always had a good appetite. So our vet had us supplementing her with biscuits, a scoop or two of wet food in her bowl at lunchtime and – believe it or not – milk. She LOVED milk and started having a bowlful for breakfast when she was about 10. My dad would give it to her before he left for work at 6:30, but one morning my Mom had to be up before him to pick up one of her siblings at the airport, so she fed Duch. And I still have the note she left my Dad that day, written on the back of my sixth grade report card – “Dogs had milk…” It always make me smile when I look at it. Here’s hoping Scout set a new record for longevity among Border collies! ?
He’s not asleep, but he’s definitely resting. Scout is awake.
We give her a lot of treats and just may start giving her more! Milk? We’ll have to give that a try!
Hi Claudia,
My eyes overflowed with tears reading this post. We lost our lovely cat Layla yesterday, she was 14. It is never easy, ever! Having had 15 cats over the years and 14 dogs( always 2 or 3 now 4 at a time) it is different with every one.
They give us the priviledge of allowing us to be in their lives, they love us unconditionally and depend on us to care for them in return, a small price for such devotion.
I hope sweet Scout is with you much longer, she is so love and she so much loves both of you.
Sue
Sue, I saw your post and left a comment there. My dear, I am so sorry about sweet Layla, whose rescue story brought tears to my eyes. My love to you and your husband during this difficult time.
You are so right – caring for them is ‘such a small price for such devotion.’ I hope you can feel the hug I’m sending you, dear friend.
We certainly know what you mean, having a severely retarded daughter in her forties and watching her lose the skills she used to have, watching her deal with more and more pain. And we are getting to the age where we wonder who will have to bear the burden of us. Our children will take care of their sister, willingly. But should they be burdened with us at the same time? I feel for them. Lots to think about for all us in our 60s and 70s.
Oh, Jane. Bless you and your children for your love and unconditional support of your daughter. I’m so sorry to hear she is in pain.
You’re right, there is a lot to think about as we hit our sixties and beyond. xo
I read your post yesterday,but it was late and so much ha already been said on the matter. The truth is it happens, we can’t always put a rosey post up when our life is not rosey. But like most here , I appreciate your openness in sharing some of the not so bright moments. Those are things that help us , as humans connect through this cyber friendship.
Money problems, tender moments with our family or pack, frustrations. They help us all have a deeper appreciation for one another.
That’s why I love reading here. It’s like chatting over coffee with a cherished friend.
Have a wonderful day– hope it doesn’t get too soggy there.
Love that image of Don and Scout, it’s precious.
Thank you for your kind words, Pat. I sure cherish all of my cyber friends. It’s hard to imagine what life was like before I met all of you. And thank you for your support in terms of ‘real’ posts. xo
That is a beautiful picture of Don and Scout…priceless. That certainly was an enlightening conversation yesterday…I was gone for most of it…so I read the comments just now. The comfort is in knowing that we are not alone in this. I started taking Social Security at 62, because I thought I’d like to start getting my money out before all the yahoo’s in government screwed something up! Enjoy each and every precious moment you have with your girl! ;)
I’m thinking more and more that, come my birthday in November, I’ll do the same thing!
That is the sweetest picture I have seen in a long time. Speaks volumes about the love we have for our furbabies. I am sending an extra prayer for your little family.
Thank you, Dottie!
Oh my goodness, your changes and thoughts so resonate with me After struggling for the last several years we have decided to sell our commercial pottery studio. We lost both of our studio cats this past summer and it has made the decision easier, but to make such major changes in our 60’s is just so scary. My thoughts are with the three of you. Terry
It is scary! I’m sorry you’ve had to make that decision but I trust it will all be for the best in the end. My thoughts are with you, too.
What a sweet picture Claudia…my heart would have melted too…I know what torture it is when pets get to the point where every day is an assessment of how they are doing…up until the day of the final decision…Treasure every moment until it happens…Pets know when they are truly loved and treasured…I have no doubt that Scout knows what a treasure she is in your lives…Rain, rain and more rain here too…I also feel so bad for these ladies dealing with drought..I don’t know how I would handle it…
We are treasuring every day and every moment. She is my heart. xo
What a beautiful photo of Don and Scout and I know what you’re saying about the situation with Scout. We had just this with dear old Seamus our Irish Setter, we were able to keep him happy and comfortable but two weeks ago, sadly, his back legs completely gave out and we had to make that oh so sad trip to see our vet. Our home is empty without him. We miss him so very much.
You are all in my thoughts and I hope Scout continues on in her happy home as long as possible.
I’m so sorry to hear that you had to let your beloved Seamus go, Maureen. Sending you a big hug. It’s so very, very difficult.
Your openness and honesty helps us all to talk about the hard stuff Claudia. I love the photo of Don and Scout. I have also seen such a change in my sweet Charlie this past year. It’s hard but as long as he is doing OK I’ll be there with him by his side. I love him and I am making adjustments to my life (no long trips) as he needs me. They ask for so little our furry one’s, just our love and in return we are given so much.
hugs,
Linda
We have done the same thing, Linda. She is our priority, just as I know that Charlie is yours. Much love.
I just got time to read your last two posts and you spoke so eloquently my sister. I understand your worries about Scout, finances and your house. We will be there in the not to distant future, already this house is getting to be to much for me with all the pressure washing, weeding and deep cleaning. With work and all of that it does not leave much time to just be. I love you.
Meredith
You’re right. We need the space to ‘just be.’ Love you, sister.
Well, I do sigh when I hear of that rain. North of L.A. here, we can’t seem to get out of the 90-degree temps; however, it’s noticeably cooler now in the wee hours, so hope springs.
The aging and weight issue. I watched this happen with my mom. It wasn’t like she wasn’t eating once in her 80s but, at one point, the doctor said her dry weight was nearing ‘failure to thrive.’ This sent me on an internet search for anything possible to put some additional calories into her and I consulted with nutritionists for both her and also my dad. But, maintaining and not losing weight continued to be a problem until she died…and I’m speaking of a woman who, for most of her mid years, weighed a good 160 lbs., average height. She had always been ‘pleasantly-plump’ from her 30s and into her 60s/70s. I think at her passing, she weighed maybe 103 lbs.
Anyway, really hit home with me when you said Scout feels light as a feather. I’ve talked about my elderly cat who could be age 19 already but I calculate it from early October and I can definitely remember when I could only pick him up with two hands. Now, he’s essentially hair and skin stretched over bone. He has food 24/7 and eats A LOT in my presence but I can’t be with him every moment. He refuses to leave the safety of his garage for very long and it gets hot in there, so we have fans on in this heat, just like we warm the place up for him when it’s cold…and if he gets too near a fan, even though it’s elevated, it will actually almost blow him to the side, so I have to be careful how I position the thing. I seriously think if he was outside in brisk wind, he could be lifted off his feet. I wish, in a perfect world, Scout didn’t have to endure the coming snow and winter on her old joints although you’ve got the routine down to a ‘t’ of course, and can get her in & out quickly and back to a comfy-warm indoors…did you keep the closer-up corral after winter, or do you have to ‘reconstruct’ it again soon? (I’m always curious about winter prep; write sometime about all you do in the next few weeks ‘to get ready’ [like, being a Californian, how would Don have known how to ‘do winter’ if it wasn’t for you having grown up in snow country and showing him the ropes?!])
I liked the part in the post (what post of yours is ever NOT to like!!) about refusing to be a victim, all the while acknowledging, though, that it doesn’t make a struggle any less. I discussed your post and all of the incredible comments with my husband when he got home from work last night. He works in a big place with thousands of people (a college) and he has occasion to talk with many of them and not just with hello-how-are-you types of conversation but sometimes, rather, discussions in depth. Many are in our age group or just below, and he says that he comes across very few people who do NOT have a mortgage or rent (and also who are coping with other high expenses). Seems to be a consensus that The Great Recession has really never ended for a majority of folks. I have only one big-box store in town where we, unfortunately, have to go to more often than not as more and more mom&pop stores have disappeared from Main Street…and I cannot get out of that store without spending too much money, even for stuff like toilet paper and the usual. The grocery store? Even worse. It’s the prices of things; everything is too expensive. We’re trying to shift our thinking on meals, and how we can stretch that food dollar with better ‘menu planning.’ We have a dollar store that doesn’t carry freezer/frig stuff but my husband even went there a couple of days ago to buy bar soap; we’re going there more and more lately, and so are a lot of other people. Also, we hardly ever go to a restaurant and eat out but, gosh, just for two people to go to dinner and have a chicken sandwich at a semi-fast-food place is ‘way too much for the budget now. One solution: Watch for the coupons!! Can’t imagine what it must be for a family with kids. And, speaking of, you see so many of the big SUVs like Suburbans in my town (the soccer moms a lot of the time; carpooling I think) and to fill those vehicles with fuel must cost a small fortune!
One thing that kinda bugs me…I occasionally go thru my ‘pantry’ and fill up a bag for our local community assistance depot, although I’m trying to be better about expiration dates and not buying stuff we don’t end up using, obviously. I also have to park next to this free-food collection center when I go to one of my doctors. So, over the years, I’ve seen a lot of people come and go, partaking of the supplies. I have to say, too often the people I see…bringing boxes and bags of food out…drive better cars than I do. Some wear better clothes than I do. (Maybe they’re picking up a designer handbag at Goodwill for a low price!!) Sometimes I find myself saying, “What’s wrong with this picture?” I know I don’t have the whole story. I don’t know the background. And we have two other locations…one is a church who feeds people for free once a week (it’s adjacent to my bank, so I have occasion to observe) and another is a place where surplus USDA food is given out with no questions asked (‘self-certification’ in terms of income); same thing, newer cars, people who don’t look like they’re hungry (although, how am I to know; it’s not fair for me to assume ANYthing). I would never begrudge someone food for a hungry belly, but it has given me pause. What I do NOT see are the elderly people; they can’t drive to these locations much less carry a heavy box. And I definitely know that too many proud seniors are scraping by, refusing to take assistance, because I drove for Meals On Wheels once and have seen how they live, when perhaps they were sent home from the hospital, and discharge planners set them up temporarily for after-care at home with a community service such as the mobile meals. I have to hope some of the younger people I see are maybe getting the food on behalf of someone else, like a grandfather or elderly neighbor. I caution myself not to judge a book by its cover.
And it’s good that surplus food doesn’t go to waste. I just know how good and tasty some of that food is because, when I was a kid and my parents were too busy in their home-based business, Mom had to have a house cleaner for several years (there just weren’t enough hours in the day for her). She found someone who was very fair on price and they became good friends; would clean the house together. The lady’s daughter was ‘on welfare’ and food boxes would actually be delivered to her from some organization…but she couldn’t be bothered with any of it and her mother, our house helper, just could not stand this. She saw that my parents lived simply and frugally…she knew the housekeeping was not a normal expense for us…so she’d bring us the food her daughter wouldn’t use rather than throwing it in the trash. It was powdered eggs you had to reconstitute with water (the cleaner lady had been making it for her dogs but thought we kids could benefit from it better); peanut butter; powdered milk (my mom would blend it with whole milk to stretch the milk); dried fruit like raisins; mega blocks of cheddar cheese. All kinds of foods. I’m sure this was illegal for the food to go from welfare recipient, to the mother/cleaning helper, and then to us…but at least it was being used, which was the intent. It was a long time ago. You might wonder where I’m going with all of this but, I have to say, when I go by that self-certification place, I wish I could somehow qualify for some of that nice food if I wasn’t taking it away from someone more needy! I know that it’s decent food, from experience, and a woman who works there told me that they even now provide yogurt. At one time, we had a next-door neighbor…this was in the late 1960s…who was a widowed mother with kids; her church would bring her boxes of food, consistently/regularly, like by the clock. She’d hardly touch any of it; she didn’t cook. Her daughter volunteered that they threw out most of the food, even a whole turkey (it was a topic of discussion because it had spoiled and made a big stink). I hope it’s not something that happens too often; that my personal experiences are the exception and not the rule. Obviously, the other side of me says, “How lucky are you, that you CAN in fact go to the store and afford to buy your own food when other people can’t.” It’s just that, waste is certainly not ‘green.’ And, out there in the world, you want to see use, not abuse. Especially in the face of too many people working so hard to make ends meet. (Off soapbox; sorry for the rant!)
Everything is so expensive. We never go out to eat. We eat very basic meals. And STILL.
From what your husband shared, Vicki, it does indeed sound like more of us are struggling than are not. It’s not the way anyone should have to live. But I remind myself often that there are so many who have a much tougher life than I. That we are, despite our struggles, blessed. I only wish I could help others, as well.
Don has learned via me and just plain experience! And we’re still learning. We kept the small corral up in the spring and summer. It just seemed like too much work to take it down again. I dread the winter for Scout’s sake. It was so hard for her last year and this year? I can’t imagine it. We’ll just have to be out there with her and do our best to eliminate any slippery snow or ice.
Your blog is one of my favorites, Claudia, and you’ve become one of my favorite blog friends. Though we never met, I do consider you a friend. I appreciate your honest caring of the human and animal conditions, your work ethic, and the obviously tender place in your heart for those you love, especially Don and Scout.
I lost my 14-year old Sienna cat a couple of weeks ago, amidst my Dad’s elderly health issues. I’d been away helping my Mom, and my daughter had to cope alone with the lost of our beloved animal companion, our baby cat. A sudden and quick death due to cardiac arrest brought on by undetected cancer. As with my late husband’s death, I didn’t have time to say good-bye and I love you forever. I can only believe that they both knew/know? how much I cherish them by the relationship I had with them when they were alive. The comments made by your blog followers for this post resonated with me so much. You have a knack of drawing out the most honest comments.
Life is a constant challenge and I really believe we are measured in some way by how we rise to meet the challenges. I strive to be a good person with an even keel, but I know I have moments of utter failure amidst the crowning victories. I am confident that you have the inner strength and fortitude to meet your challenges. And to know that your friends, including your e-friends, are ever rooting for you.
Thank you so much, Wendy. You brought a tear to my eye. I’m so sorry about the loss of your beloved cat and that you were unable to be there when she passed. We do have to trust that the love we have shown to our beloveds, whether human or animal, is so evident and so palpable that it remains with them, even if we are not physically present.
I, too, have moments of ‘utter failure’. We’re only human. We try to do better the next time, don’t we. Bless you.