The other day on our dog training video channel we posted a little video of Tango playing “Put Your Toys Away.” It’s always been his favorite game. If we’re totally honest, it’s really the only one he plays these days. He’s 15 years old and old dogs are awesome.
When we posted the video we didn’t really expect many comments. A few “likes” maybe, but that’s about it. We got those, and one comment that we really didn’t know what to do with. It read something to the effect of “that dog’s got like 100 steps left in him.”
So what?
It’s not really mean. It’s also not nice. So what are we supposed to say in response? The best we could come up with was “Yes, and we’re planning to enjoy every one of them.”
Because we do. We still think he’s adorable. Maybe even more now. He doesn’t move fast, but we give him whatever time he needs. Except when it’s raining. Then he gets carried in and out to do his business. He doesn’t really care about getting wet, but we’d prefer not.
The vast majority of Tango’s days are spent napping. Which he interrupts for a toddle to get some water. Whenever he gets up we take him out. He’s always been really good about doing his business outside until the last couple of months. He doesn’t realize the urgency, so we take him out more than he probably needs to.
Dimming vision
He also doesn’t see too well these days. That’s okay, too. His hearing has always been selective. But he hears “cookie!” just fine and turns in that direction.
He’s a skinny old man, so he gets all the cookies he wants now. He’s enjoying that part a lot. And while he’s never been one to cuddle or even like pets, he lets us. And we still get to enjoy the mark of true Brussels Griffon affection – he sneezes in our faces, just like always.
Gone visiting
Next weekend is our obedience club’s annual trial. It’s a long day of volunteering for us, so we bring all the dogs along. Tango loves it. He comes out to say hi! to anyone who will stop to talk to this old dog.
That could be one of the reasons we’re loving Tango’s sweet old age. When he was a young hellhound, nobody could touch him except Fran. When she got him turned around a couple of years later, we told him he owed us lots of good years to make up for those. We’re blessed that he’s giving them to us.
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