He would be that homeless dude that goes dumpster diving...who is senile...pees in the snow...only communicates through grunts and mumbles...smells of used cat litter and old burritos and everyone calls him Sparkles...
So I am now going to rename Ace "Sparkles"...the dog is seriously lacking in the mental department...he is getting lost...in the house...the house he has lived in for the past 5 years. He can't hear me so I have to be very careful to make sure he doesn't venture too far or he won't have ANY idea where I am...seriously.
He will be 12 in January...poor dude has really aged...his mobility is also lacking...arthritis makes him a bit shaky...not bad as long as he is on pain killers...but sometimes, when he is feeling really good, he will take off running after the young dogs...and then he tries to stop, and his little brain is TELLING the legs to stop...but they can't. The other dogs just know what is happening and get the hell out of his way, knowing the brakes are shot...and I pray a snow drift stops his forward movement. Usually this works out well :)
If he wants to run full tilt down the hill to a snow drift in pure happiness...I won't stop him :) The dog doesn't care for leashes...and I don't blame him...so there :)
Why do dogs have to get older? Honestly...I think it sucks.
He is still a lot of good entertainment...although the dogs eyesight is also failing, he can sort of still catch...it usually hits in him the face...and he gets all excited trying to smell it out...he is so very happy :) So you can't help but smile at him. HE THINKS EVERYTHING IS UNICORNS AND RAINBOWS...so why not let him? I am sure dementia is a wonderful thing really...you act crazy, but you have NO idea you are acting that way. Go Acer pup :)
Ace didn't want to participate in this years Christmas photo...I had NO idea how many people would be emailing/texting and calling me to make sure he wasn't dead. :) Very sweet, nope, Sparkles is still kickin' :)
I never realized that many people knew Acer pup...he was my first dog to do any training with...first obedience, agility dog...first therapy dog...first dog that really stole my heart :) He wasn't flashy, or super fast, or even sort of fast...but he is my boy...and it made me very happy that so many were asking about the old man :)
I don't talk much about Ace on the blog...mainly because it hurts...when I really think about how old he is and that someday he won't be here with us...I don't like sad stuff...
Thankfully, Sparkles still knows where the potty area is :) I am grateful that hasn't been an issue. Whew...
And waiting at the door is no longer an option, he thinks his name is Zip, Klink, Gator, Crackers, Even AND Lynn...plows right through like a rabid bull...thanks Sparkles...thanks. I just smile :) And make sure he doesn't run over Crackers and kill him.
But I love that dog...love him to death. And even though he is not always here with us mentally...he is still a riot :)
Everyone hug your dogs, especially your old dogs :) They really got you to where you are today :) LOVE YA SPARKLES! :)
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4 comments:
I love Ace! He is so sweet!
There is something precious about an older dog and it's not just the time you have left with them. There is just something about their being that says I have lived, I am wise etc. I love old man Ace, but you know that already, and he is a special guy.
Awww...your post made me think about my Roxie, who is 13 and losing her mind. I don't think she knows it, though. Today she caught one of the chickens who escaped from the coop -- made her so happy, she was prancing around the yard grinning the entire time. I have to say, watching her, it was the highlight of my week as well. Indeed, why do dogs have to get old.
I started crying at the end of the post thanks. My girl is 14yrs. old and still lovin life. The other day when my two youngest turned 2yrs. old I cried. I was so happy watching her trot and be happy chasing them and trying to catch the ball.
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