Our gorgeous Grace Stafford girl is 11 this year, starting to grey around the muzzle and sleep a bit more during the day.
She is still as playful as a puppy and as sweet-natured as she always was. She plays with Abby the same way that she played when she was five and she tolerates a lot of crap from her but she is absolutely enjoying herself. We go for lovely long walks to all her favourite places and she gets a bit more tired a bit more easily but she still keeps going. (Truly, she is the only dog I know who seems to say, 'Goodness, I'm tired' and responses by completely up the pace again.
)
She is one of those dogs that never gets irritated. Abby gets irritated with us, with Gracie, with the cat. And that's ok. But strangely, I have never seen Grace even give a hint of irritation. How can one dog be so bloody happy? She really lifts my spirits every day and when somethings goes wrong or I'm just having a general crappy day, all I have to do is sit with Grace. She'll sit on me with her tail going non-stop and her head kneading into my chest while I hug her (yes, this dog truly likes hugs). She makes soft grunting noises of contentment and my heart just fills with... joy. Sorry to be so sappy, but it's true.
Because she has been so fit and healthy, it's easy to forget they are aging. This winter has been a sombre reminder that she is getting older. She has some arthritis in her back legs as a result of some cruciate ligament surgery she had when she was much younger. It hardly ever bothered her except for a couple of flare ups as a result of too much tight turning and rough play in the backyard. This year it's a bit different. The cold effects her more, and what didn't have an effect last year, is leaving her sore this year. She does have painkillers if necessary. We've been much more diligent about keeping her warm if she is out and about. We have comparatively mild winters here, but she needs to be kept very warm now if we head out in the car at night.
She is still very good and going well, but I guess it did hit home that she is aging...
What am I going to do when my happy, sweet girl leaves us?
As Abby's only real friend, I fret for Abby as well...
But those big, grunty, wiggly stafford hugs are something that I truly cherish every single day.