Dear Dog

[skhill]

Dear dog,

What's up with chasing off cats when they try to join us in bed at night? Are you trying to raise your status in the heirarchy? Are you defending your stash of chew toys in the room? Are you trying to defend me? I like having the cats join us; please get over it. You are the number one dog, even if at least one cat outranks you. The cats aren't interested in your treasures, either.

If this keeps up, you might find yourself spending the night locked away in a bathroom.

[beccaB]

Dear Dog,
You are a herding dog and supposed to chase just about every thing that moves. You should actually be a better mouser than my cats. So why has there been evidence of a mouse in my kitchen?
Mom

[tzvia]

Dear dog,
Yes, you are a dog. That is why you are named KELEV- dog in Hebrew. I promised myself I would not spoil you but I failed, and you strut around with that smug little grin that comes with knowing that you can get whatever you want by making a goofy face or trying to look deprived.

But yes you proved that you are more than just a dog. Somehow you 'got it' when my father became ill and I became a caregiver. You became a caregiver, a companion, a watch dog who always came and got me when dad needed something or had to be assisted. How did you figure that out? Who taught you that he did not belong in the kitchen alone at night? A dangerous place for a man with Dementia, and you came and got me to go investigate with a look like I have never seen before. I did not understand at first, thought you wanted another cookie, but found dad there instead, and got him back to bed. It took me a few times to figure out; you were never around for that cookie after I took care of dad- you got me because of dad.

Now he is in a home, and you are unemployed. No more caregiving. You can be that goofy dog again, older and wiser though. I'm wiser too. It's amazing what a dog can teach a person. Enjoy your retirement, Kelev.

[pll]

That's an incredible (and gorgeous) dog, tzivia. Sorry to learn about your father's illness.

[skhill]

Tzvia, what a great dog! And a great name too. Are you going to be able to take Kelev to visit your dad in the home?


Dear bouncy dog,
Please don't pull so hard on the leash when it's snowy. It's cold, so you want to move fast, but I'm walking on only 2 feet and can slip and fall a lot easier than you on your 4 feet.

[PamNY]

tzvia, incredible story and beautiful dog.

[tzvia]

skhill- wish I could, but he is almost 14 now and having hip issues, his legs give out. Which means he has access to that part of the yard that he can get to without stairs. I live on a hillside, and it's a flight of stairs down to get to the street or up to the main part of the yard. He can't do it currently. I did take him about a month ago, but it was too much for him, and he is afraid to try the stairs again. He wanders around the house sometimes, and I get the feeling he is looking for his 'job'. Now he watches me where ever I go.

That photo is like 4 years old, his face is all white now.

Dear dog, yes it sucks getting old. You and me both kid. We both need new bodies. I am glad you are still smiling. Me, I've got my Ben Gay and DMSO...