Living in the moment

Being the guardian of a senior dog is never boring.

In the past week alone, we saw Lili’s rehab specialist, who sent us to her rehab vet. Apparently she tweaked her back playing in all the snow and ice. Then Sunday night we rushed her to urgent care because her eye looked off. Wednesday was the follow up.

One week. Four vet appointments.

It’s easy for senior dog life to become mostly medical. Appointments. Meds. Refills. Supplements. Asking my husband if he ordered the new thing the vet recommended. Wondering if Lili will actually take it or if it will join the growing pile of rejected attempts.

And then there’s the anticipatory grief. Wondering how long she’ll be here. Letting sadness creep in before it’s time.

That’s a lot to carry.

I know many of you understand that weight.

But in the middle of all of it, Lili is still here. Still feisty. Still very opinionated.

She’s supposed to be taking short walks while her back recovers. The other day she walked a few houses down, then led me straight to the car. She wanted the park. So we went. She sat and watched squirrels like that was her full time job.

The other night she jumped into bed at midnight and demanded pets while I just wanted sleep.

Those are the moments I need to keep my focus on.

If she wants sniffy walks, we take sniffy walks.
If she wants midnight pets, she gets midnight pets.

Yes, I’m her caretaker. I manage the appointments and the meds and the worry.

But I’m also her companion.

And while she is here, I want to fully be with her.

How are you staying present with your senior pets?