Woof

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“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis

A couple of 82-year-olds that I know just got a puppy. Why is that so surprising?

Before I continue, let me dispense with the practicalities here. This couple has been married for 60 years, and are two of the most responsible and grounded people I know. They are the type of people who not only have a backup-plan but a backup-plan for the backup-plan. Also, they are surrounded by family that love them and will take the dog if the need arises.

With that said – why it surprising? As I know from training the puppies I’ve had in my life, a puppy is an investment. I think of my beloved golden retriever who passed away 5 years ago at almost 14-years old and I remember him as the amazing companion he was to me through my divorce and the start of my little family. But training him to be that companion took a lot of initial energy.

I think that we have a story that tells us that when we get to age X, we are supposed to stop investing. It might not be a conscious story but one that affects our choices nonetheless. We may or may not have adjusted that age upward based on the increasing longevity of humans but regardless, there is a time limit on when we are supposed to stop doing new things.

But, if we can be assured of the practicalities, why not get a puppy? At a time in life when one has a lot of free time, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have some young energy to keep you moving? And when your friends may be losing their hearing, isn’t there an upside to a companion that will listen to every word?

More than that, shouldn’t we be willing to keep trying as long as we are on this side of death’s door? It seems that we should at least consider whether the only thing stopping us is a story in our head that tells us there is an age where we shouldn’t love something new, try something different or take on a project just in case we won’t finish.

The couple that got the puppy are the parents of my very dear friend. When I was a senior in high school, my dad took a job in a church across the state and gave me a choice whether to move or not. This family took me in so I could finish out high school where I started. From me, their one-time wayward puppy to this new puppy, all I have to say is, “You’ve got a good home, Lady!”

(featured photo is my beloved dog, Biscuit)

33 thoughts on “Woof”

  2. A couple of very similar age, very close to us, did the same thing. This now very large energetic dog is not without his challenges, but he brings them joy – and exercise!

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  3. I can’t have pets at my apartment, but I still wonder what my choice would be if I could. There are + and – aspects surrounding the care issues and such. There is also the anticipation that one day I will have to say goodbye to a beloved friend. I’ve done that so many times and it is so hard.

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    1. Oh, you are so right about how hard it is to say good-bye, Deb. So heart wrenching to go through! But I always think that’s because of all the goodness they give us along the way.

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      1. Every pet I’ve ever had has been family. The hardest though was a few years back, the youngest took the adopted family cat with her when she moved to Tacoma. Eventually of course it was time to say goodbye. I spent the last evening with her and the cat as the vet came. I think seeing her pain has been the hardest thing so far in my parenting career.

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      2. Oh my goodness – I can only imagine given that I haven’t had to witness pain like that as a parent. But wow, knowing how hard it is for me personally, it’s not hard to see how much magnification of it would happen when it’s a child’s loss. So hard!

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  4. This is a wonderful gift for this elderly couple. I think the investment gives them something additional to live for and to keep them young and that adorable pup doesn’t hurt either! 😊

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  5. When we think old, when we act old, then we become old! So many people set limitations on themselves beginning in their fifties: “I’m getting too old for that, I need to give it up!”

    Other people keep doing what brings them joy, regardless of their age, or how others will react! I tend to fall into the second category, having once more strapped on my rollerblades last summer when I was 59 and enjoying my time with my family. I use trekking poles to stabilize myself, just as I do when walking, so I feel safe.

    Age really is a number, and there’s no reason why we can’t do many things, especially when we take precautions and have backup plans!

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  9. Great post, Wynne Leon! The line “I think that we have a story that tells us that when we get to age X, we are supposed to stop investing” really resonated with me. I have an Aunt who is starting to believe that because she turned 70 last year she can’t do X, Y, and Z and I’ve often thought…but you’d be happier if you did! I will share this sentiment with her (in a non-confrontational, loving way). Thank you 🙂

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    1. I wouldn’t imagine that you would share it in any other way, Grace! A hard thing to change people’s stories but we can always tell each other we believe in each other!! ❤ ❤ ❤

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  10. I certainly think that the stories in our head can enable or block us. For myself and most of my early boomer friends, we’ve all been surprised by aging. Not that we didn’t hear stories from our own elders, but we thought they somehow didn’t apply to us. Indeed, I would argue they were unimaginable until we lived them. The range of capacities widens with

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  11. To continue: age, from those who are prematurely aged to those who seem increasingly free and eager. Bravo to the good couple who sound like they enjoy their dog in the present and don’t look too far ahead.

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    1. What an interesting comment Dr. Stein, as always. The sentence, “The range of capacities widens with age, from those who are prematurely aged to those who seem increasingly free and eager.” highlights a fascinating question. What makes us be one or the other?

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  14. I love this. It makes me think of my Grandpa, who bought a puppy after my Grandma passed away. The dog will most likely outlive him, but it has been a wonderful companion for him. I love this whole idea of keeping on. We don’t know when our last day will be, but we can keep moving forward.

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    1. What a wonderful story about your Grandpa and I imagine that might be when he needed the puppy most! Beautiful comment about “we don’t know when our last day will be, but we can keep moving forward.” Yes! Thanks for reading and commenting, Emily!

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