Camas, part 2: Our Saturday Treats

Camas, my orange and white mixed-breed, is an elderly lady, approximately 13.5 years old. Thus far, she has remained remarkably healthy.  During the 5.5 years she has been with me, her most serious health issue has been the cracked carnassials tooth she had when I got her.  Nonetheless, her hearing is getting worse, and she exudes an increasing sense of frailty, reminders that she cannot live forever.  She is at the age when any slight sign of illness – a little diarrhea, an odd lump, a moment’s seeming hesitation to go on the morning walk – causes that sickening jolt of the stomach, familiar to all old dog owners.  It’s the fear that the final fatal old-age ailment has arrived. 

Last fall, acutely aware that Camas’s clock is winding down, I decided to devote a special time every week to Camas.  I began taking her with me to town on Saturday mornings when I do the grocery shopping.  None of the other three dogs get to come. On the way to the store, we stop at a city park and go for a walk.  It is her walk.  She sets the pace, sniffing and piddling as she sees fit.  To describe our speed as an “amble” would be generous.  Camas thoroughly examines all important scents, and there are (apparently) important odors every 6 inches.  Lately, I’ve begun to notice that her dawdling increases as we near the van and the end of the walk.  The old dog can still learn a few new tricks, it seems.  The walks are a treat for me, too.  With Camas, I can pay attention to the Bewick’s wren singing from the brush beside the river.  If I were to get so distracted walking my younger dogs, I’d be lucky if I didn’t end up in the river.

After the walk, we go to Safeway where Camas naps in the van.  Before I start the grocery shopping, I visit the coffee stand in the store.  I order a dry cappuccino and two donuts, the only donuts I allow myself for the week.  (Dieting tip: Eating donuts before shopping will eliminate the desire to buy junk food.  That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.)  I save half a donut for Camas.  She gets to eat it in the van while I load the groceries.

Do something special with your old dog today.  Camas says to not forget the donuts.