2015-06-02 - Tuesday - Old man

Binkley is officially an old man. On June 20, 2015 he will turn 14. That's pretty amazing for an 80-pound dog. He's having a slew of problems/challenges, such as he's going deaf, his back legs don't work too well and he frequently falls, his eyesight is questionable, he coughs and hacks a lot, and his bladder is not what it used to be.

These are all things to be expected in an elderly dog, but he still has a strong will to live. He never misses a meal, he's always glad to see us, and he still tries to play and romp like a puppy. This makes it all the more heartbreaking to watch him falter. We feel as long as he has a good quality of life we will handle the bumps in the road, but where is the tipping point? We discussed there will be a time when he doesn't have any interest in food, is in constant pain, or isn't genuinely glad to be alive it, that it might be time. The problem is that his body is giving out while he still very much wants to be around.

We live in a split level home and I can't see a day when I'm carrying him up and down the stairs or out to the yard to do his business. But I also don't want to think about the alternative.

I hate that our pets have such short lives.

He is so much a part of our family that I often refer to him as my fuzzy son. There will be a huge hole in our lives when he is gone so we're trying to give him extra time and love now while we still can.

"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long."

6-2-2015

5-6-2002

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