“The little things are infinitely the most important.” – Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
When I was a brand new mom almost nine years ago, my 12 year old golden retriever, Biscuit, was my constant companion. He was such a comforting presence, especially with his ability to track where everyone was.
Lesson One
But one of the things that irritated me, especially in the early-on sleep deprived days, was when we all walked together. Biscuit had to go back and forth and back and forth over an area to pick a place to poop.
So it surprises me when I walk with Cooper who is now almost a one-year-old dog and he just poops. We’ll be walking along and then BAM, he stops and does his business.
My conclusion is that one privilege that comes with age is willingness to be choosy.
Lesson Two
It was the same with lying down. Biscuit would get a dog blanket and move it around with his front paws. Then circling and circling, he’d settle in and lay down.
Cooper, on the other hand, just collapses anywhere.
This leads me to the conclusion that another sign of aging is the increase of the number of things we have to do before sleep. And again as we rise.
Lesson Three
On the morning of the day that he died, Biscuit walked up the stairs to the second floor. It was something he didn’t do as often after arthritis had set in. Then he lay down on the threshold to Miss O’s room as I was getting her out of the crib and ready for the day. Miss O was about 18 months old.
Biscuit lay with his head on his paws and watched every move we made. It was like he was touching each moment with intention.
Then we went for a walk. He collapsed going up the hill. Five hours later, after we discovered he had tumors bleeding in his stomach, I had to say “goodbye” to my beloved dog. Something I think he knew all along.
Which leads me to the third lesson I learned from my beautiful dog. If we’re lucky, we gain the ability to appreciate how all the little things in life add up to one good life.
Surprised By Joy 