Times are tough

It has been a while since I have written a piece for the Melrose Mirror/Patch.

Actually I am dictating this to my parent, as she types my story from me to you.

I am now 19 in human years,(133 in my doggie years), and I cannot hear, nor do I see. I know that these symptoms apply to anyone 133 years old; but it is different for me.

My guide is my parent; actually she has been for 18 of my 19 years. My first year was in Puerto Rico, where I was born and then luckily transported to the U.S.A. and adopted by my parent and her partner those many 18 years ago. My other partner passed away last year, and I still miss her being around.

But to my time now...

Mostly I sleep in what is now "my chair". I don't do the stairs well so my parent usually takes me down to the back yard to get some fresh air and do what I need to do. She lets me climb back up the stairs but I know she is keeping an eye on me because I have fallen a few times. I have had a few walks, but I need to be careful about walking into poles or branches, and the weather has been a bit cold for me.

I am eating well, no problem there. I get roast beef for my morning meal, chicken when my parent goes out on errands, and I get moist food in the evening. There is also my dry food available with water all day whenever I want to get of my chair. Snacks are handy for me also, and this year my Parent, at the suggestion of my Veterinary doctor, I get ice cream sometimes in the evening. Not human ice cream , my own special probiotic packed frozen yogurt cups with banana and peanut butter. I really like this new addition to my diet.

There is also a problem that most elderly have and that is my need to do my business more often.

Since I am almost blind I do see shadows in white so my parent has made a spot for me where I can relieve myself during the evening, or whenever. There are special pads that work for me and for her so that I do not mess on the rugs. Dogs are not like cats having a litter box; it just is not a dog thing; but the pads are. She keeps a supply on hand and daily disposes of the ones I have used and they get replaced at once. What an amazing world we live in.

I know she has many friends that ask about me frequently and she lets everyone know that I am still doing o.k. I miss my walks and meeting my own friends, but there is a time to slow down and so I have.

I have heard talk of a sickness going around the world where people younger than me are getting sick. I am sorry for any human loss, but my parents says it will be over soon and things will get back to human normal.( I am not sure exactly what that is) But when it happens I hope all the Patch readers will be in good health, and it will be a peaceful time for the human and animal world.

My parent writes her own stories every month so why don't you read her "stuff" too.

Stay happy and take care of your pets, as my parent has taken care of me.