The Old Man and the Lake

            You probably already know that on Sundays, I try to write something inspirational here, a meaningful Bible verse, a prayer, a spiritual message of how God shows us His love. Or something similar.

           Today’s quote, however, comes from the book “The Incredible Journey” by Sheila Burnford. You know the story – the three pets travel cross-country to get back to their family, and the cat and the young dog make it home and go running to their people, but the old dog, Bodger? Well, the family didn’t see how the old man could make the 250-mile trip.

           “He broke into a run, faster and faster, until the years fell away, and he hurled himself towards Peter. And as he had never run before, as though he would outdistance time, Peter was running towards his dog.” 

I’ve often referred to my dog as Dino the Wonder Dog. (In fact, this blog is named after him, and by the way, it’s pronounced Dean-O.) Lately, however, at fourteen and a half, he’s been more the D.A.S.S Dog – deaf, arthritic, and somewhat senile dog.

He spends his days lying in the shade in our yard, staring off into the woods. Then sometimes, he slowly, painfully gets up on his wobbly legs and wanders off into those woods, where he won’t come when called because he can’t hear us. When inside the house, he follows me from room to room. But sometimes he loses me, and I feel bad when I walk up behind him, touching him, which scares him as he never heard me coming.        

Yesterday we returned home from our annual camping trip in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Each day, after the process of waking up and adjusting to the camper and the campsite, he’d have an hour or so of energy and clarity. But he’d tucker out pretty quickly. Daddy would have to take him some where shady to rest when Mommy was off exploring and hiking to waterfalls. He also needed to be lifted into the truck, and sometimes into the camper. 

Then on Thursday, when we finally got to the beach at Lake Superior, his puppy spirit soared. His eyes were clear and his head high as he waded into the cool water. He was so happy, so full of joy, even though he didn’t jump in swimming as he had years ago, and I only threw the stick for him once.    

I’m not sure how many trips he has left in him, but he’ll be with us for as long as he can.