Top 3 Lessons From Our Senior Dog

Three years before my husband and I wed, we moved into an Atlanta apartment, along with my long-haired Calico. 

Soon after we settled in, we wanted to adopt a kitten.  We were fortunate to live only a couple of miles from the Atlanta Humane Society, where we found one of the best cats who ever lived, Figaro (story for another time).

We had zero intentions to introduce a dog to our apartment.

A week after adopting Figaro, who was only maybe eight weeks old, it was time to bring him back to the Humane Society for a follow-up vet appointment.   For whatever reason, my husband and I decided to walk next door afterwards and look through the window at the dogs.

We peeked inside and saw what was to become our Jack Russell-mix puppy, Jake, sitting all alone, while a litter of at least six to eight of his siblings played beside him.  He seemed to pay no attention to them, while he continued to meditate or who knows what.  As we look back, it still feels like the moment was meant to be.

That day, something told us not to leave until he was ours.  We have never been the Black Friday deal-grabbing types, but our determination to grab this popular pup would’ve had our closest family and friends guessing otherwise.  After at least 30 minutes of struggling with other couples, he was OURS!  Ha!

I’ll never forget how we justified adopting him.  “Oh, he’s the perfect size for the apartment!”  We know, now, that the size makes no difference, in terms of destruction.  “Oh, look, what a calm and quiet puppy he is!”  We discovered in 24 hours that he must’ve been really tired, when we saw him at the Humane Society, because boy, did he perk up!

He and Figaro soon became the best of friends and brothers.  They did everything together and tumbled across the living room numerous times a day.  Soon, we also discovered that our Jake was a feisty and fearless little guy who intimidated much larger breeds even as a puppy.  He also valued his nap time… a LOT.  For the first couple of years, we assumed it was because he was young and needed his rest.  He reached far beyond the realm of puppyhood, before we realized that this could no longer be our go-to explanation.  The dude just likes to sleep.

Flash forward many years later, Jake is a grouchy old man, but we feel as if nothing has really changed.  Between the sleeping and the attitude, he was sort of that old man from day one.  We assumed we were taking a calm and sweet puppy home, and the puppy turned out to be a very spirited dog, instead.  No complaints.  We only love him more for it.  He fits right into this spunky family.

Jake is 14, suffers from arthritis, is incredibly demanding and needs a great deal of assistance to stand up.  He continues to eat well, and we are keeping him as happy and comfortable as possible.

Like anyone who has ever met similar obstacles, we have learned so much from Jake and this experience.  If the lessons of our wisdom can be relevant at all to you, allow us to share a few of them.

1.     That’s the spirit!

Jake may no longer have perfect senses and require mobile assistance, but boy, he hasn’t lost his gumption! 

He’s an alpha, through and through.  He doesn’t care if you think he’s small.  He’s a fearless, son-of-a bitch (literally and figuratively).  If he’s in the yard and the neighbor’s American Staffordshire Terrier comes outside, he will try his hardest to charge at him.  That is, after he receives proper assistance standing up. 

If I pass in the winter of my life, I pray I go out with my boots on the way Jake clearly will.  This is an extremely bright, old lad who can still learn new tricks. 
 

2.      If possible, strengthen your core and upper body.  You never know when it may come in handy!

When I began strength training years ago, I knew it could pay off for health reasons (or for the purposes of knocking a guy flat out in a parking deck).  After delivering an over ten pound infant, I was thankful for the years I put in because carrying her around, even now that she’s nearly five years-old, isn’t as challenging as it could’ve been if I had not put in the time. 

Jake is approximately 50 lbs.  Let me just say that picking up Jake is not like picking up a stationary, 50 lbs. bag of dog food.  I cannot imagine the number of accidents that could’ve happened, if I could not carry Jake outside with moderate ease.  It’s not just essential for restroom breaks either.  Jake requires assistance getting comfortable and going to the kitchen for the giant water dish, because evidently, water from anything else isn’t good enough.

3.      Relish in the final months, days, hours…

It’s difficult for my husband and I to take much for granted, least of all our final moments with Jake.  We certainly didn’t need lessons of the past to teach us the importance of gratitude, but we’ve had many. 

Like others, we’ve lost loved ones and fur children abruptly and unexpectedly.  We have faced the difficult decisions involved with putting down our dogs and cats and prayed that Jake will pass away in his sleep. 

Jake can appear ungrateful and very difficult, at times.  Let’s just say that he’s always been a vocal communicator.  It can be frustrating, when he demands to be repositioned, after I’ve already adjusted him during a hectic morning for the 20^th time.  However, I try to remember that he’s comfortable and has a healthy appetite right now.  This means that we won’t have to put him to sleep today. 

 
Our Jake has taught us so much as parents.  He became our dog, when we were in our early 20s and poor.  He loves us, wealthy or poor.  He only cares that he is loved and has been more than forgiving of our past and continued imperfections. 

When he passes, we will be forced to find a new “normal,” because it’s difficult to remember life before him.  I’m not sure what that will look like.  However, I do know that I am very grateful to have the privilege to be his mother.