I have had pets of some sort for over 30 years. Something I hadn't thought about until recently is this...
When I was 53, I acquired my current lady as a puppy. Now she is 14 and I am 67. She doesn't walk so good anymore (vet says not much we can do without major surgery on her spine that may not work, not gonna happen). I injured a shoulder which makes it very difficult to lift her up and down steps and into/out of our vehicle. At this time, we are managing but I am so thankful she isn't a large dog!
A friend is having that problem now. Her very large aging dog can no longer get into or out of her vehicle. Dog weighs over 100 pounds. And my friend is older, too, and can't lift the dog. She relies on the help of others.
When you are younger and strong and healthy, you don't think about how, as the dog ages, so do you! Will you be able to handle that animal when you may not be so strong? Don't poo poo that idea! I slipped and fell last spring and injured a shoulder. Now I understand this whole aging thing. Until then, I could do anything. Now, it's a challenge to help my little friend just hobble out to do her business. And when she was younger, she could go out only twice a day if weather or whatever limited us. Now, it's five to six times a day. Wonder why this shoulder isn't healing?
The adventures and good times we have had, though! All over North America, we have chased, run around, travelled, she barked at bears through the van window, met new peeps and dogs, she is fearless! When my husband died, she licked my tears and loved me unconditionally. We are so much alike it's scary. At this moment, she's sleeping on her bed next to me, as I sit in my rocker and listen to her soft snoring.
I will not get another animal when she is gone. Assuming she dies first... It would be good for me but not fair to the animal if I can't take proper care of it.
