Seven has always had her own idea about things. Since she was a puppy she called the shots. I know dog trainers everywhere are cringing, but honestly, I don't care. She does things her way...and while it's made things challenging in her older age, it's also a pretty good indicator of how she's feeling.
At just a couple of months shy of her 17th birthday her limbs don't work as well as they used to. I guess since that makes her almost 119 in people years we should expect some mobility issues. She started laser therapy a couple years ago, then began weekly acupuncture about a year ago, then twice weekly physical therapy back in February...and a couple of months ago we made the plunge and bought her some wheels (technically it's a doggie wheel chair, but we don't call it that!). Her stubbornness has made using said wheels a bit challenging but she is finally realizing that if she wants to continue her independence then she needs to embrace the wheels! Just yesterday she actually ran in them, barreling over a dog bed as she went! It was fantastic!
So for those of you with an older dog, if you are lucky enough to have all of their organs in working order, there is a lot you can do to keep your baby by your side! Just yesterday Seven's physical therapist Ross (who Seven thinks is the bee's knees!) told me he thinks she is doing better than she was when she started six months ago! Music to my ears!
So here's the deal Seven,
As long as you've got bright eyes, as long as you can yell at me to do your bidding, as long as you flip and flail to avoid a snuggle, as long as you kiss my face, as long as you continue to be the most stubborn person I know, then it will continue to fight to keep you by my side for as long as I possibly can!
I love you baby girl!
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