Just as I was piling out of Chertsey lock, Lisa & David (on Narrowboat "Water Lark") tried to communicate something to me. But I couldn't hear what they were saying above the engine noise. Sorry about that, folks. I can't hear a thing at max revs. Nice to see you though. At Staines, a canoeist wanted to race me upstream, but was quite dissapointed, when I told him that I was already going flat out (3.16mph).
Near Old Windsor lock, I saw a woman pushing an elderly labrador along the towpath in a wheelbarrow. She'd taken him out for a walk with her other labs. When she lifted him out, the poor thing could hardly stand up. But he was still wagging his tail, and getting the sniffs. I think I would do the same for Sumo, should that sad day ever come. But, thankfully, his hips are fine at the moment.
He's not stopped looking out the back door this evening, presumably waiting for Meg & Penny to turn up. Aww....
Its a decision you often have to make when you have a dog, not easy but you have to do whats best for the dog. Would you really want him not to be able to get about. Magic was 15 when I was faced with it and kicked myself because I didn't make it a week earlier.
ReplyDeleteHi Brian. The one today really tugged at my Emotions. There was a pack of three yellow labs. two healthy and the one in the barrow. When he was being wheeled about, his head was held high, getting the sniffs. Right then, he had good quality of life. But to see him trying to stand up, dragging the back legs around and wagging was pitiful. Happy, but in some obvious distress too. I don't mind admitting that I shed some tears. 1 for her very real and obvious love of her friend. 2 for the dogs fortitude in the face of physical adversity. 3. Empathising with her, and imagining what I would do, if faced with the same situation.
ReplyDeleteI think they were all going swimming. They were down by a shallow bit of the bank. It could be that it could still swim supported by the water. But by then, I was too far to see. Maybe the owner is up and down the bank 5 times a day? I don't know, and can only say what I saw.
Like sumo, I try to live in the moment, and not imagine what may or may not happen in the future. Right now, today, Sumo's happy and healthy. So I'm very grateful for that blessing.
Nice to hear from you. Thanks for your perspective.