Old Dogs

I have a real soft spot for old dogs.

The ones who've been let down by humans.

The ones who find themselves at the end of their lives with no family of their own.

The ones whose outward appearance cannot compete with the adorable puppies also looking for homes.

The ones with the gray muzzles, the cloudy eyes, the missing teeth.

The ones who are overlooked.

The only downside to adopting a senior dog is you do so knowing you will not have as much time with them as you both deserve. No matter how much time you do get together, it will not be enough.

Five of our eight dogs were seniors when we adopted them. Technically, any Dachshund who is eight years or older is considered a senior. Eight short years on the planet and already they are seniors.

As the photos show, our five seniors were 14, 12, 15, 12, and 10 when they joined our family, and we were lucky enough to love them for 14 months, a little more than 4 years, a little less than 3 years, about 2.5 years, and less than 5 months.

We miss them terribly every single day. There are times when I am so overcome with grief that I don't know what to do with myself. And then I remember their funny mannerisms and how much joy they brought us, which help to elevate me from the depths of that sorrow.

Their absence is always felt, but we wouldn't trade our time with them for anything in the world.

Dogs lives are short, too short,

but you know that going in.

You know the pain is coming,

you're going to lose a dog,

and there's going to be great anguish,

so you live fully in the moment with her,

never fail to share her joy or

delight in her innocence,

because you can't support the illusion

that a dog can be your lifelong companion.

There's such beauty in

the hard honesty of that,

in accepting and giving love

while always aware that it comes

with an unbearable price.

~ Dean Koontz ~

I love writing my blog on Wiener Dog Wednesdays because it's a small way I can honor these little sweethearts who have enriched our lives in ways we could never have imagined.

Happy Tails to you!