I love dogs. If I have a choice between growing old at Merry Acres with strange caregivers and even stranger residents and living in the basement with my dogs... I choose the last one.

The three dogs that I have... an Australian/Golden mix named Julia that my vet and I rescued from the long green mile at Charlotte’s Animal control; a black lab named Roxanne and a big chocolate lab, Zack (aka Zack the Noodle, Zackarooni, the Zackmeister,) are constant sources of happiness, joy, and companionship. I was thinking about what terrific caregivers dogs would make for us as we get older and then it dawned on me that they are caregivers now while we’re on our way. They know it... we don’t. They have all the characteristics of good caregivers and all the great habits as well. Let me explain.

HAPPINESS- Life changes as you grow older. Or maybe it’s you change as life grows longer. Either way, perspective changes. It’s easy to project some gray hair, weak knees, and foul tasting medicine you never had to take before on your view of the world. You get grayer… the world gets grayer. Dogs won’t let you do that. I have lived in my neighborhood for 10 years now and we have walked at least 300 days of each of those years around its cul de sacs and streets. When I go out with them tomorrow they will do what they always do… see it for the first time. They will have the joy of Christmas, the energy of a 2 year old, and barks like voices at a Rock Concert. Caregivers should be that kind of happy.

LOYALTY-  I work with my dogs most of the time in my home office. My business lets me do that and for that I am most grateful. They are there with me all day long. If I’m writing they are there. If I’m doing a consult they are there. If  I’m trying to figure out why the “send” on my e-mail isn’t doing that, they are there. They are there when I come home from traveling: 3 days, 3 weeks…  it doesn’t matter. We have a huge bark-leap about- lick fest in the foyer whether its three in the after noon or three in the morning. I’ve been gone but not forgotten. What a great lesson for everyone who has to be away from those they love as they age...

PATIENCE- They wait for me… to find their leashes, to fix their food, to finish a phone call, to fill their water bowl. While they are waiting  their ears are straight, their eyes are bright, and they have that ear to ear smile that only a happy dog can have. It’s almost as if they’re saying, “We’ve got four legs. You have two. Take it easy. We’ll be right here… just take your time.” It’s easy to lose patience as we grow older. It’s easy to lose patience with those who are growing older. It’s easy to think because we might be slower at something that we don’t know how to do it... or can’t. Patience changes all that. When you’re working with older people just sit, keep your ears alert, and a smile plastered across your face.

GRATEFULNESS-All three of the dogs have a way of showing they appreciate me.  Roxanne, my black lab is a kiss face dog in the morning and during the day. Sometimes she just gets up, walks over to me, and sits there until I lean down and whatever was on my face isn’t.

Zack is the snuggle dog. At night watching television or curled up beside me he wants nothing more than to win the Westminster Dog Spooning Award. In a thunderstorm, snowstorm, or windstorm, he becomes like your second skin… furry velcro. He just breathes affection and appreciation.

Julia: Julia is the Guardian. A rescue, she knows what it is not to be looked after. She waits.  Just waits. She watches everything: the cats, the people on the street, the cars that drive by late. It’s in her genes to watch over her flock and to protect them from those who would do them harm. She’s the one late at night to jump up on the bed for just a moment as if to say, “I’m going off duty now but I’ll be right here if you need me”. And then she lays down beside the bed putting herself between me and whoever may come through the door… no hesitation… no doubt… her life for mine if need be… without question.

There’s a Native American Legend that says when the Great Spirit created us he knew we would be alone. So, he breathed a piece of himself into each dog to remind us that there’s someone always watching over us, taking care, reminding us that we are worth being cared for. It was said that when a warrior died his dog would die with him… just to never leave him alone.

I can’t imagine either the rest of this life or forever without them by my side. I feel a lot the same way about my partners, friends, and family.

Take an old person for a walk. They, like my dogs, will let you see some things for the first time…