ruger

12/18/2022

Back in 2010 I was volunteering at our local shelter and a pregnant dog came in. Her name was Tiger Lily and she was very skinny and very pregnant.
A few days later, on a Tuesday in July, she gave birth to 8 puppies. One passed away, but the other 7 were healthy. One of those healthy pups was a boy called Sunshine. He got adopted, but then returned 6 months later for who knows what.
This young fella ended up in foster with some volunteer friends and their extended family fell in love with him and he was adopted... and renamed Ruger!

Recently I had the opportunity to do a 'Before I Go' session with this lovely 12 1/2 year old fella. We wandered in the snow where he took a couple breaks, then went inside and he showed me all the places he likes to nap.
I wrote a little poem for him:

You know those old dogs
those big, old dogs
who’ve lived a good life
whose eyes may still be bright
but don’t see so well
whose big strong body gets them around
but is slowing down
they would rather sit than stand
rather lay down, than run

little mis-steps and stumbles
wee previews of confusion
they don’t hear you call their name
but they hear you
tell them they’re the goodest dog in the whole wide world

those big, old dogs
who had an unknown period in their life
that has caused them to be wary
of some things and some people
though their love can be easily bought with kindness and treats

those big old dogs
who may not like a lot of hands-on lovin’
but just want to be close the person they feel safe with
and have a nap