My Old Timer - Barney
Barney J. Fife, Esquire III
is our lead Shih Tzu (we have 3 others from 2 to 13 years old, plus a 5 year old Pomeranian, and a 10 year old Maltese)...
Barney has blessed us with his company since he was 8 weeks old... he is now 16.5 years...and retired.
He doesn't do much but sleep and eat now a days. He prefers softened food, and only will take his medications if I bury the pills in a wad of cream cheese wrapped with a a soft taco strip...
His vision is only good enough to see changes of light and movement, and he doesn't hardly hear anything anymore. He is often startled when I reach out to pet him.
He argues with bushes he bumps into while roaming outside, but once in a while, he remembers his youth and scampers across the grass until he forgets how painful it is to walk any distance.
He insists on climbing the stairs at night up to our bedroom... all 13 of them... he just has to pause every few steps to catch his breath and check his balance. I am behind him every step to make sure he doesn't lose his footing and hurt himself.
The vet says this will probably be his last year with us... My wife and I do all we can to make his final days comfortable. He has brought us immeasurable joy... and I can't imagine our life without him, but know we face that situation every day.
We share your loss Bill... When Barney's time comes, I pray that God grant us the strength he has given you to deal with life without Belle.
-John
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