Big on love, small on time...

Beanwood

Beanwood

Administrator
I have just read this article and loved it. Whilst it is not actually specifically about older dogs, it really resonated with me, especially thinking about the older dog in our pack, Casper, who is getting on a bit now and can be very reactive.

We don't do "dog dense" areas with him, it's simply too much. We do visit them occasionally though when they are not busy. We find a quiet spot close to the entrance,( but with enough distance from people and dogs entering the park..) and allow him to potter, checking out the local canine news at his own pace. I liken this to watching the news on television, rather than being actually there, lots of interesting information but none of the pressure to interact. Casper gets lots of pleasure from sniffing a particular nettle, and with care leaving his own special message..."Casper was here..."

Big on love, small on time
 
Charlie

Charlie

Location
Argyll & Bute, Scotland
What a beautiful article, thank you Kate for posting. Charlie can also be dog reactive and at 7 1/2 heading for senior years :( Charlie is my shadow, follows me round the house and joins me with whatever I am doing, I chat to him as if he is human. I fill up my watering can, call him "come on Charlie lets fill up the bird bath" he's looking up at me right by my side and straight to the bird bath. He is lying at me feet now as I type this. I do really wish every dog owner would understand that not all dogs like all dogs just as I don't like every person I meet. I feel Charlie would much rather have some training, some playing but above all a snuggle on the sofa than a long walk or run in Charlie's case :rolleyes: It's quality not quantity that counts :) x
 
SwampDonkey

SwampDonkey

That made me smile. I spend a lot of time with my dogs. Hanging washing out just tidying up. I dust with Rory I pretend to dust him we're silly i just enjoy doing stuff with them . I've had an audience for most things for the last few years of my life. I give my dogs everything but I mostly enjoy spending time with them. Everything is more fun with a dog.
 
M

MaccieD

Thanks for sharing the article @Beanwood . One of my greatest joys in life is spending time with Juno whether it be weeding in the garden, sorting laundry and ironing, reading with her by my side, visiting friends and family or a nice walk followed by a pub lunch. Time is such a precious commodity and I feel so sorry for those dogs I see being walked with their owners glued to their mobiles :( . Yes carry a mobile for emergencies when out walking but at least give your dog some attention.
 
Atemas

Atemas

UK Tour Guide
Location
North Cambridgeshire
What a lovely read - thank you for posting @Beanwood.

Our relationship with Sky is changing now she is getting older and less active. We are having to adjust to her not being able to go out with DH and do the big walks he has done the last 11 years with her by his side. I have now taken on the daily exercise for her and I have accepted it is a new regime. She needs time to amble and sniff. She isn’t a reactive dog and she is not interested in other dogs. She tolerates them, accepts them but never seeks them out so avoiding dogs is not an issue. The sniffing takes time and if I am honest I find the standing still whilst she has a mega sniff a bit frustrating. It’s not about me though - it’s about ensuring her quality of life is the best it can be. I feel we owe so much to her and I will ensure I give her all the time she needs.
 
Jen

Jen

I’m in the category of if my dog can’t come then I probably won’t.

I love spending time with my little lad, I’d be so lonely without him especially with OH working shifts. I chat to him constantly and wherever I am there’s a little black monster next to me giving me the big eyes.

We’re really lucky that everyone feels the same about him. My mam adores him and when we’re there he helps her put the washing away and do the gardening, they never find him an inconvenience and my mam says he’s the best company she could wish for x
 
kateincornwall

kateincornwall

Location
Cornwall , UK
That's, is lovely thank you . Little Nelly loves to be out in the garden with me, not necessarily playing, but just sitting close to me or pottering about , ever close . She cant hear much at all, but I still chat to her , and when I smile at her, she wags her tail , so our happiness is definitely recognised !
 
Cath

Cath

MLF Sales Coordinator
When we (Fred, Annie and me) are doing jobs around the house and in the garden together, I talk all the time to them. One of my sons said Mum it's a wonder that one of them doesn't answer you back, but I don't think they could get a word in sideways.
 
A

Aitch

Location
Buckinghamshire UK
I also spend all day with my dogs and rarely go anywhere without them. Their happiness means everything to me so I will happily turn down invitations or days out.
Bear is old now so I spend a lot of time just letting him sniff and leave messages of his own, He enjoys it and that matters more than me whizzing around doing pointless things.
 
edzbird

edzbird

Location
Isle of Man
I used to take Belle out for a sniff walk toward the end of her years. She didn't have the energy to walk far, but we would spend half an hour walking around the block (which would take <5 minutes at normal pace) and she would sniff and sniff. She was happy, and that made me happy though my sadness that she couldn't manage much more.
I talk to Coco more than I talk to people. I am massively introverted & have to force myself into human interactions. Dog talk comes easy.
 
Oberon

Oberon

Location
Canberra, Australia
Excellent article.

The bit about letting your dog eat while you're around, not just putting the food down and going to work... I liked that. I was reminded of how, after every single meal, Obi comes to tell us all about it with lots of full body waggles and a happy face and a toy in his mouth..."Hey, do you know that I just ate my breakfast/dinner and it was the best best best thing in the whole wide world!!!!". Sharing the simple, everyday joys of life with your dog.
 
Beanwood

Beanwood

Administrator
Reminds me of my favourite poem...:)

Leisure
by W. H. Davies (1871-1940)
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.

No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.

No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.

No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars like skies at night.

No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.

No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.

A poor life this if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
 
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