Dogs

I sit and listen to my old dog Bailey...
He pants heavily,
licks his leg,
scratches the carpet,
circles
and
lays down
again.

He amazes me.

He is a 14 year old golden retriever - chesapeake mix...a beautiful golden color with wavy hair that needs to be kept short or it looks unkempt.

This old dog continues...
he climbs the stairs
albeit much more slowly

he fetches the softball
although he now loses sight of the ball

he finds his way to the dinner table
although he now lays down
and waits
for the food
to fall

Bailey has been with us since January, 1994.
I can't imagine life without him
so I don't.
Very often.

I think he has the soul of a human.
He knows when my heart hurts.
He protects me when he senses I am fearful.
He nuzzles into me when he knows I need attention.

I sit and listen to my old dog Bailey.
He drinks his water.
He eats his food.
His collar jangles.
He whines to go outside.

It's like he is a puppy.
Again.

Time goes by so fast.
I wish dogs lived as long as humans.