Aging – authentic and antique

Today, I really looked at a piece of furniture – the reproduction stationery in our living room – for the first time in years.  It has mirrored doors that have been ‘antiqued’ to make the piece look ‘more authentic’, I suppose.  I realize that by that measure I am fully ‘authentic’ as I feel every day of my nearly 69 years.

Losing a beloved pet

We are nursing our beloved pet, a 16-year-old [corrected] Australian Shepherd called Chelsea, through her first and last illness.  A wicked carcinoma has attacked the better of her two already weak rear legs.  I don’t begrudge her the nursing at all.  The mixing of her homeopathic treatments 2 to 3 times a day and half (or fully) carrying her 55-pound body gives us at least some small thing to do to help her a bit.  However small the relief is to her, it is good to feel we can do something, anything to slow the relentless progress of this new enemy which will soon take her sweet, loyal self away from us.

Our dear pet, 16-year-old Aussie

Shared perspective

This coming loss of a beloved companion, who has given us so much love and loyalty, can help put everyday things into perspective.  Chelsea might offer these thoughts, judging by how she lived:

• Life – live it to its fullest;
• Love – give it unconditionally in big and little doses;
• Joy – partake to the MAX when it is offered;
• Sorrow – endure and share with the truly compassionate.

Giving thanks for friends

Trivial things – the phone which is a worry, whether ringing too much or not enough, the printer’s need for new cartridges at the worst possible moment, the client who always loses our bills or thinks hubby has paid for it – these things fade into the background where they belong.  Our treasured friends (including employees and clients) – ones who have offered their experiences, suggested veterinarians, spoken of medications – are friends helping us through this time of old age with our pets and ultimately, we hope, with our own aging – these friends are priceless.  You know who you are – we love you and will always be grateful for the many ways you show your caring.

Postscript

We said goodbye to Chelsea this past July 8th.  Lap of Love helped in many ways, allowing us to provide in-home euthanasia, leaving her and us at peace.  She had lived months longer than predicted, declining rapidly at the end making it an easier decision for us. We thank Dr. Dewana Anderson at the Carrboro Animal Hospital, Dr. Dave Ruslander at the Cary and Durham Veterinary Specialty Hospital, Dr. Charles Loops (an experienced homeopathic veterinarian) and Jennifer Tidrow at The Laughing Dog Pet Care service for their immeasurable help.