117, still working everyday 155/366

today June 3,2020

when we first got him

I watch Sam walk,
and it pains me.
His hips aren't great.
Sometimes he stumbles,
lately I've even seen him walk "sideways".
Last evening his intent was to sit at the edge of the porch-
but he was too close, 
and I watched, as if in slow motion,
knowing there was nothing I could do to change what was happening,
as he tumbled to the ground, not strong enough to catch his balance.
I hesitantly stood to check him over, 
afraid that perhaps he had broken something,
hoping he hadn't.
Before I was fully upright he shook himself and stood up,
much like a toddler who has had an unexpected fall might do.
I breathed a sigh of relief.

Every morning I hesitantly open the family room curtains, looking for him.
Lately he has been sleeping on the porch.
If he is in sight I look closely at his sides,
hoping to detect movement.
So far, so good.
This morning he was doing a perimeter check of the back yard.
I don't know if he does it every morning,
I suspect he does.
He is in the process of another right now.
Duty above all else?

December 2004

Sixteen years. 
I thought that was 112 human years. 
But google proved me wrong.
I done been educated-
Sam is even "older" than I thought.

He doesn't give any indication that he is hurting.
He refuses to take ibuprofen-he used to, but now he won't.
I'd feel a whole lot better if he would.
He still eats and drinks and has control of his bodily functions.
He's worked hard to take care of me for a long time.
I hope when it is his time to go he simply falls asleep.
He's a good boy.