Who Says I'm Old!

I am 10 years old in People years. That's 70 in dog years. I know some people think that's old. They think that when you get past 50 or even 60, then you have to slow down. Not me. I might be 70 in dog years, but I feel like I am the same age as my sister, Mosie, and she is 3 in People years. I can run just as fast and play just as hard as she can.

I remember the first time someone told me I was getting old. I think I was 7 or 8 back then. The Mommy took me to the groomer, and they made her sign a special paper saying she understood that I was a "senior" dog and that I needed special care. I was like, "Senior Dog! What!?" I didn't think I was a senior dog. I still felt like a puppy and looked like a handsome grown up dog on the outside. All the girl dogs and the People told me, too, how handsome I was all the time. In fact, I am still a great looking dog. I'm just getting a few more white hairs on my face.

The Mommy took me home from the groomer that day, and she told me I'm not getting old. She told me that I'm still the best doggie ever, and that we had a lot of fun years left together. That made me feel great! She always knows exactly the right things to say to make me feel better. Somehow, when she said that, I started to feel younger again, like I did when I was 4 or 5. When she walked me and other People asked how old I was, they would say I looked good for my age or how young I looked!

Photo by Jeanette R. Harrison

This year, I turned 10 years old. I have to admit that some days I feel older now. I like to take naps in the warm sunshine, and I like to sleep all day. Those are my hobbies. That's really not that different from before because I have always enjoyed taking big naps and laying in the sun. Even though I don't play with the People as much, I get to run and jump and play in my yard. I love it. I spent a lot of years having to be on a leash every time I went outside because we lived in a yard with no fence. Now, I know that the leash means something special like a walk or a car ride.

Last time I went to the vet, he told me I am getting older now, too. He says I have to take extra special care of my health. Still, he said that I look good for my age. Then, he gave me a shot in my behind! I felt my age on that one because my behind was sore for two days. I know that if I keep going this way and taking care of myself and napping and playing and having fun with my sister, Mosie, I will probably live a long life. I think I am going to live until 20. Some dogs live until they are 25! I have decided that I am not getting old, I am just middle-aged...and I have a lot of adventures left in me.