How to Take Care Of An Old Dog

“You don’t really own a dog, you rent one, and be thankful that the lease is long”

-Joe Garagiola

I’m lucky enough to have had a dog long enough to watch the fur around his eyes turn white, and joints get too stiff to hop on the furniture.

I count my blessings every day.

My dog Cowboy is 85 solid pounds of tawny fur.

Most of it probably in his huge, anvil shaped head, typical of the pit bull breed.

Over the past 11 years, he’s been my most loyal hiking buddy, camping partner, and wingman when approaching attractive women at the dog park.

I adopted him in 2008.

In that time, I’ve lived in 3 US states, worked dozens of jobs, made and lost friendships, and romantic relationships.

I’ve changed haircuts, cell phones, addresses, and cars.

My life has transformed dramatically in the last 11 years, yet there has always been one constant: Cowboy.

He’s a security blanket that sheds fur and drools on the kitchen floor. It’s been a ride full of memories.

There was that time we road tripped from Las Vegas to northern Georgia to work on an organic farm, sleeping in the open air in the bed of my truck along the way.

Other cherished memories are all the hikes we trekked through mountain ranges all over Utah and Nevada, the holiday cards we posed for, and all the times I let him finish my ice cream cone.

Cowboy’s face when we catch the last 30 minutes of “Air Bud”

The life span of a pit bull is 12- 14 years.

It’s been almost a dozen happy years, but I have to accept that my time with my boy is coming to an end.

It’s difficult, but unavoidable.

A physical body isn’t meant to last forever.

It wears out and gives in to time, just like anything else in our material world.

It’s a fact of life, yet one that all of us try to ignore.

For the rest of the time we have together, my main focus with Cowboy is to keep him comfortable.

Switching to a Whole Foods, 70% plant based diet has eased the stiffness in his joints and shined up his coat.

I love my old dog by providing him the best food: mixing fresh meat and vegetables in with his kibble.

He sleeps on a plush, soft bed upstairs in the living room, and beside my bed at night. Lots of fresh water. Slow walks on soft grass that ease his joints.

His favorite things, like any good dog, seems to be lots of love and belly rubs.

And of course, when I let him finish my ice cream cone.