Enjoy Now, Before It’s Too Late
I have always looked forward to taking my dog, Rosie, on long walks. It’s an opportunity for her to get exercise, bathroom breaks and time to sniff around, and for me to get fresh air, sunshine and some exercise of my own. But as she’s gotten older she can no longer handle those long walks. She thinks she can, and I love her for it, but her aging body can’t handle it.
As our walks together became shorter, I began to feel resentful. Because I had started to relate her walks with my walks; and the short walks that she needed weren’t fulfilling for me. I somehow made the situation all about me, and by doing so, inadvertently turned something lovely for her into something frustrating for me. Not my proudest moment.
As a remedy, I now go on two walks—one for Rosie and one for me. During Rosie’s walks we go as slow as she needs and make sure to smell everything. And then afterwards I go on my own. But I tell you, I was not prepared for how emotional I would feel to go on walks without her—it feels as if I’m practicing for when she’s no longer around. It’s heavy.
It’s not easy caring for an aging dog, but there are plenty of lessons in it. I’m constantly reminded that our time together is finite, so instead of grieving what we used to have, I must celebrate what we still have. I’ve realized that focusing on what was lost in the past will simultaneously rob me of the present; which means I’ll have lost twice. The main lesson I've learned is to enjoy now, before it’s too late.
“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”
–A.A. Milne
