Old age creeping up

Just now I had a phone call from the vet on the extra lab examinations that had to be done on our dog. More to be done next week, as there is still the puzzle of what is wrong with him. Last week we had to take him to the clinic to have him diagnosed under anaesthesia. Most of the night I spent staring at the ceiling, wondering of what might be happening to him or would be the matter with him. I just love my cats and dogs.
I was asked to stay with him as long as possible. We walked up and down the consultancy room until his nose touched the ground, disappearing in dreamland. The assistant took him up, he seemed so fragile, like a mop almost. A couple of hours later we could pick him up, staggering around a bit, but only too happy to be put in the car to be taken home.

At the beginning of March we were at Bergen aan Zee, wind force 8 almost blowing his and our ears off our heads. He used to love running along the beach. A free, independent and intelligent dog. Today his walks are limited though, old age creeping up. He loves being near us all the time, cuddling up against us.

And now, what do you think of this deck chair?! It looks so inviting, also to our dog, but there is a sign on it: do not touch. Unfortunately I cannot upload the picture any bigger than this. The beach restaurant is called 'Bruintje aan Zee', and that is a nice word play: my brown dog being near 'Brownie at Sea'.

On Sunday I was pulling weeds out of the terrace, sitting on a very low seat. He pressed his nose against me, I took him up and said: 'OK, we can weed together'. He rubbed his nose in my face, closed his eyes and turned his face to the sun, moaning: 'life is just wonderful'. I have my silly talks with him, silly words that are invented there and then.
He loves hearing 'Come on, let's go and do something in the garden'. Most of the time I put him on a day bed eventually, so that he keeps warm and sheltered. He follows everything we do through half closed eyes. The privileges of old age!