If You Watch Long Enough

Lessons in life sometimes arrive by the most unusual means of delivery. Take dogs for instance. Man’s best friend, it’s said. I’ve learned much from them over the years.

I’ve only ever had 2 dogs in my life. Toby was the first, a beautiful Golden Labrador Retriever. The friendliest hound on the block. The most protective beast on the street. He ate up his weight in groceries on most days. But such loyalty, I’d never before witnessed. He lived life large – and he died doing what he loved best. Running on the dykes of Tsawwassen, British Columbia. At 11 years of age, we were told he’d lived a full life for a canine of his size and breed. I surely wasn’t ready to hear that on the day he passed away from heart failure. On reflection, from him I learned to do what you enjoy doing until your final breath. Give love freely and often. Eat everything put in front of you (but apply some restraint, please!). Be faithful to those you love and who love you in return. Leave while the party’s still going on.

Our second puppy came to us from a larger litter of about ten. In truth, he chose us. A colleague at work told us to simply observe his behavior at a distance and to select the one that best ‘fit’ our characteristics and needs. It didn’t take long that wonderful day in June over 17 years ago for Charly Rags, an adorable American Cocker Spaniel, to come bounding over to the fence to lick our outstretched hands. It was love at first sight. Since then he’s lived on three continents. He’s been there to nurture the growth and development of two youngsters – their only ‘brother’. He endured 6-months of quarantine when we moved to the UK, and came through that ordeal fit and healthy. He stayed behind in Canada for a time when we moved to Hong Kong, for he was needed more there. And for the past 8 years he’s brought love and joy to our abode here on the Peak of Hong Kong Island.

Alas, the ticking-of-the-clock shows no favorites. And so it is that arthritis has set in; the walks are shorter now. He had a stroke 2 years ago – but rebounded remarkably well from that, with little after-effect other than a slowness in pace and a loss of some hearing. But now it’s the onset of dementia that challenges him most. He endures with grace and without complaint. But it’s hard to tell how much longer he has with us and as such, each day is enjoyed as a gift.

From him I’m learning more about the challenges of the very aged. About the grit it can take to simply ‘make it’ through the daily routine when challenged. I’m learning to cherish the moments more; and to complain less. And that Time is the prime commodity in life that can’t be re-created. And as such must not be squandered.

Such rich lessons delivered by such unusual deliverymen.