When Stubborn Girls Get Old

This picture is of my girl quite young. She was probably 4 or 5 in this picture. She didn't start slowing down until age 9. I remember the day. We were on a beach in the Portland ME prom area, and there were about seven or eight labs running around. They all saw Miss Boo (Jazz's one of many nicknames) and surrounded her.

Now before, she would have chased and tormented every dog there until they were all exhausted. On this day she looked directly at me from the middle (as if she was the center of the flower) with a distinct "help me" on her face.

I knew then that Jazz had started her decent into middle or old age. She is now 14. Until a couple of years ago, she was still running and chasing ball. Since then she has developed a slight heart condition, wobblers, almost no eyesight, and almost no hearing. Still she does the perimeter check of the yard almost every day.

Until about two days ago, she was still going up the stairs. Now I carry her.

Course, Jazz is a stubborn dog and DOES NOT LIKE things being done for her. Even when she can no longer do something, she would just prefer to fall down the stairs than have you carry her. She thinks it's undignified, we make her be carried anyway. She grumbles and flails her paws all the way down the stairs, then kicks mightily until you put her down already!!

Now that her two important senses of eye sight and hearing are all but gone, she does not appreciate you guiding her. She still wants to do it on her own.

While her enjoyment in life is depreciating, she is still enjoying her life. As her owner and best friend, it's hard to see her struggle. It's important to enjoy the times we have left when she is having fun rolling in the grass, or discovered Jackie trying to hide from her by flattening himself on the floor LOL. To appreciate that the young girl you knew is still in that body that is now failing her. That spirit still lives on.

It's important not to dread the inevitable decision to be made, but enjoy our last moments, days, weeks, months together until the right time comes.

Our Oldest Girl

Jazz has been my very first dog. She came to us in 1997 or so at 3 years old. She will be 16 next January. Wow!! A Doberman's average life span is 11.

We have our days where we wonder how comfortable she really is. If only these guys could talk!! Then we have the last two days. Yesterday, Jazz woke up quite sprightly. She tormented 4 year old red Doberman male, Jackie. First, he realized she was in her "hunt him down" mood, and he flattened himself on the floor. He was hoping for the power of invisibility no doubt. Actually, Jazz can't really see or hear any more, not much at all. She can smell and feel however, much to Jack's chagrin. He was discovered flattened on the floor, and his ears were licked.

At some point, he realized she wasn't leaving in any big hurry, and he flew out from under her. In the young days, Jazz would have flown after him, but old Jazz toddled with Frankenstein determination to find her quarry and parry with him. I was glued to each moment. There was my girl having a great time.

This morning, the simple flipping of a bony toy that she found on the ground, brought a smile to my face, and now we spend the day watching a bit of Wimbledon in bed. I wish it could last forever.

Need your dog trained? Visit the http://www.mannerlymutts.com services page. Or contact me at 207-361-4395 in York Maine. Ask for Robin Rubin, Dog Trainer.

Say no to HSUS, PETA, No Shock Collar Coalition (NSCC) or Truly Dog Friendly Organization (TDF). Articles and information on why I do not support these organizations is on here and here.