Not every moment in an old, dying dog’s life is grim. Far from it, or neither humans nor animals would, or should, put up with it.
Way back when, Murphy was a puppy. Now, at over 13-1/2, I think about the funny moments. Many of those involve that chew toy, Kong.
I got it so I could stuff it with treats and keep Murphy occupied so I could work. Or at least rest up after participating in her rambunctious puppy (later growing dog, later senior dog) moments.
She had other ideas. She would take the Kong, try to get the treat out, then wise up. Literally.
She’d get up and carry the Kong over to me and stand there, giving me the look.
The first time it happened, I looked at her and said, “You’re supposed to get the treat out by yourself.”
She was having none of it.
I ended up sticking a pen through the short end of the Kong so the cookie would barely peek out of the other end. Murphy would then yank it out, demolish it, and give me that look again as she walked off.
Murphy has always been way too smart for the Kong (and, frankly, usually, me).
For years now we’ve used it as a peanut butter dispensing device. Murphy and, later, Alki each got a Kong in bed at night with a little peanut butter on it.
Just the other night, remembering the old Kong days, I stuck a treat in it for Murphy to toy with, then snapped a picture of her trying to get the treat out. It ended up the same way: with me digging it out for her.
I’ll treasure this photo. It will remind me of her quirky personality, her cut-to-the-chase attitude. She is a wonderful, smart, loving dog.
I think of what a heck of a corporate CEO she’d make: innovative, cunning, easygoing.
And, as this second photo will prove: satisfied.
What else is there?
© 2012 Robyn M Fritz
Love this story of, “c’mon Mom, just get me the treat out of the Kong, will ya?”
The end of life is about embracing the “new normals” as they come up…whereby she might have worked at that Kong, now she has earned the right to just get it as her reward for just being your buddy.
Thanks for the smile and hang in there, Friend!
michelle
Thank you, Michelle. Murphy was all about devious shortcuts, and I was always a cheerful sucker for her antics. It amused her to play me, and I loved it!
Murphy would solve it out, demolish it, and offer a look look again as she walked off. It has always been way too smart for the Kong. The dog walker are absolutely helpful for different purposes in many of the circumstances.
Yes we do need dog walkers and others who can help with our animal families! And toys like the Kong to entertain.