I shall wear
turquoise and soft gray sweatshirts,
and a bandana over my silver hair.
I shall spend my Social Security
Checks on good wine, and my beloved
dogs. I shall sit in my house
on my well-worn chair, and listen to
my dogs breathing.
I will venture out on a warm summer
night, and take my dogs for a run in
the woods, if my old bones will
allow it.
When people come to call, I will
smile, and nod as I show them my
dogs. I will talk of them, and
about their show careers; the dogs
so beloved of the past, and the ones
so beloved of today.
I will work hard cleaning up after
them, and brushing them, and feeding
them. And I will whisper their
names in a soft, and loving way.
I will wear the gleaming sweat of my
labor on my throat like a jewel, and
I will be an embarrassment to my
friends.
These dear friends of mine who wait
at all hours for my footfall, and
eagerly jump to their feet out of a
deep, sound sleep, to greet me as if
I am a god.
They watch with warm eyes full of
adoring love, and hope that I will
stay, and hug their lean strong
necks, and kiss their dear sweet
heads, and whisper in their ears
that they are the very best company
I could ever want.
I look in the mirror, and see I am
getting older. Loving dogs is
easy. This is the kind of
woman I am, and have always been.
They are part of me, and always
accept me for who I am.
My dogs appreciate my presence in
their lives, and love me without
question. And, when I am very
very old, this will be even more
important to me.
You will understand when you are
old. But only if you have dogs
to love. Dear friends who give
you. unconditional love and devotion
in return.
AUTHOR UNKNOWN |