Getting old

Today a woman saw us amble up to a stoplight. Leo sat down to wait - more out of tiredness than obedience (he's never taken to the whole "sit at the corners" thing all that well). She looked at him and looked at me and said "It's sad to watch them grow old."
I demurred and replied something about he's not doing bad, he's getting there, he's ok. But I thought about this. It's not sad.
It's been a privilege to see Leo grow old.



Leo's had cancer for 3 years. He's grown old in those 3 years, and aged even more from the effects of chemotherapy. But we've been lucky - lucky that his cancer responded and stayed in remission for 2 years, lucky that we had skilled and caring medical treatment, and lucky that the financial resources have been available to treat him. We've had the good fortune of the availability of medical expertise and effective cancer drugs. These things have allowed Leo to grow old. Were those things not available to us, he would not have grown old.

Every dog should have the chance to grow old with grace and dignity and love. Leo has had that chance, and it's been my sincere privilege to be a witness to it. To see him change from an unpredictable and rather wild young dog to the elder statesman of the park that he is now, well, it's been great. Our walks might be shorter and slower, but we still enjoy the days outside and the nights on the couch.

So, no, watching them grow old is not sad. It's a gift. It means your dog is loved. Is lucky. And is with you. It's not sad - it's a joy. Every day with Leo is the best day ever.

So to the lady that said it's sad - no, it's not sad. Not watching him grow old would be sad. It would have meant that cancer won. Leo growing old means we've beaten cancer for a long, long time- longer than anyone thought. Leo growing old is what I wanted all along.