Showing some age

[remltr]

Sassy's muzzle is showing grey. Actually more blonde against her wheaten coat. Not sure how I feel about that. It looks elegant, but the reality is she is getting on in her years. She is 12 1/2 years old.

When we return from a walk she still runs up the stairs and turns to look at me, waits for me to start up and then she bolts the rest of the way, 'you can't catch me'. She can still jump up into the truck, although I never let her jump out.

I take her to work with me everyday and she sleeps under my desk. When I leave the room, she follows or actually tries to lead, but then stops to see which way I am going. Never lets me out of her sight, unless she has found something that needs to have its scent sniffed out of it.

Sleeps when she can, but never misses a movement and is up and ready to go at a moments notice with a couple of stretches of course, 'what's the hurry?' "cookies? why didn't you say so? get out of my way will ya?'

I am sure most understand what I am saying. She is transitioning to a what will be a slower stage of her life. It is wonderful to see her so mature and at the same time it is sad to see that she isn't as immature any longer.

[sanford]

So glad you took the time to describe these small, everyday moments that enrich the lives that we share with our companions. 

Sweet!❤️

[pkcrossley]

i certainly do understand what you are saying. but it sounds like sassy is doing great. there is much to enjoy in a dog's maturity, for both dog and human, and part of that is appreciation that comes over us when we realize that times moves on. i'm so glad for both of you that sassy looks poised for an excellent later life. but just enjoy these times and don't worry about the future. clearly, sassy doesn't.

[Hillscreek]

Every day of every year is a wonderful one with your Sassy by your side. Savor each one to the full. Live in the 'now' like she does.

[Sam I Am]

These Cairns have a lot to teach us...and you are so right Hillcreek, you have to live in the moment. All animals do. Sassy's name is perfect for this fit and agile mature girl.

[hheldorfer]

Your post was both sad and sweet.  Brought a tear to my eye, actually.  How wonderful that Sassy is always by your side, right where she wants to be.  As our dogs get older our relationship with them becomes like that of two people who have lived together for years.  There's a certain comfort in that.

[Kathryn]

Have to say I have loved the times when my cairns got to an age where they really understood me and I understood them -- and usually it coincided with them showing a little gray. But with cairns I think the limitations of age come on very slowly. Our Allie could jump into her chair quite gracefully from a few feet away past her 15th birthday. True -- if she was sleeping in that chair, she no longer always heard me come into the room...but she woke eagerly  to the suggestion of a walk, or a treat...or a request to join her in a nap...

The videos you have posted show a lively and fun little dog.  Enjoy her! A little "maturity" isn't a bad thing -- for them, or for us...

[remltr]

I guess all of sudden noticing the different color of her muzzle got me feeling a little melancholy. I know we still have time.

She just finished her dinner and now she checks for dropped morsels from my dinner. Not tonight as I had garlic bread. Later and not much later she will go out on the deck and watch the world go by and about every 5 minutes will come to the open door to check if it is time for her treat. Then she will tire of that and jump up on the couch and then my lap for a 30 second to 2 minute neck, belly, ear rub, etc. Growling at me the whole time. Can't tell if she is purring or telling me I suck at this and let's just get this over with. And then up on the other couch to stare at me until treat time. 🌮

Thanks for the support.

Edited October 1, 2017 by remltr

[Sam I Am]

I had a chuckle as I was thinking there are times I can hardly wait till SAM grows up. A bit like when I was a kid, I could hardly wait till I was a grown up...now I wish I could shave a few years off. So I suppose it all depends at which end you are at in your life..again live in the moment as that's all we know for sure. Our dogs shows us how to do that. Sassy has it down pat...a belly rub, a treat...really what more does one need in life.

[Mama Kim]

From my experience, they slow down but not by that much. Our first, Lucy,  was a "puppy" until she died at one month short of 14 due to complications of Cushing's disease.

Now our current Cairn, Piper, is 14 1/2. She still runs across the yard when done pottying, pesters for treats, walks with a spring in her step when on leash (though has some slower moments in between), steals my socks every morning, goes up and down the stairs, etc. Yes. she has a little grey in her muzzle and around her eyes, her hearing isn't as sharp as it used to be, she is blind in one eye due to secondary glaucoma, and has arthritic hips and tail. She sleeps more than she used to but she is happy and has joy. 

I've learned that having an older Cairn who moves at a bit of a slower pace has taught me to do the same. And to savor the moments with her. We just enjoy each other's company. 

I also bring her to work on occasion (when my husband is away since he works from home) and she sleeps under my desk. I'm glad and grateful to spend the extra time with her. 

Edited October 3, 2017 by Mama Kim

[Lupinegirl]

Steals your socks? Adorable. I love the quirks that each dog has.  You’ve basically described my almost thirteen year old boy. He still runs down the hall every morning when we get out of bed; runs to the couch to roll on his back and rub his head all over the floor and couch; prances and kicks after potty; pesters me for treats; spits toys at my feet to entice me to play; hoists and drags toys as big as he is around the room, grunting proudly; and kicks me in the leg or rear when he thinks I’m taking up too much of his space in my chair or on my bed. Gotta love them! 🐕💕

Edited October 4, 2017 by Lupinegirl

[Mama Kim]

9 hours ago, Lupinegirl said:

Steals your socks? Adorable. I love the quirks that each dog has.  You’ve basically described my almost thirteen year old boy. He still runs down the hall every morning when we get out of bed; runs to the couch to roll on his back and rub his head all over the floor and couch; prances and kicks after potty; pesters me for treats; spits toys at my feet to entice me to play; hoists and drags toys as big as he is around the room, grunting proudly; and kicks me in the leg or rear when he thinks I’m taking up too much of his space in my chair or on my bed. Gotta love them! 🐕💕

Absolutely! Yes, she loves socks. She collects them. Every morning after my workout, she follows me upstairs to get my socks. (She thinks I don't know.) Then she brings them downstairs and buries them on her pillow with her toys. She howls and cries, and then buries them some more. Then she comes back upstairs for a nap while I shower. When our sons were young, she had a field day raiding all three of their bedrooms for socks. And now, our oldest son is 27 and lives a few hours away. When he comes home, he gets the biggest kick out of her sock fetish. She seems to love his socks the most. 

Your little guy sounds so much like my Piper.  We are blessed to enjoy their company. 

You can see her socks in this picture, piled up with her toys on her pillow in the foreground. 

[Pepper Bug's Mom]

Brodie is into socks!!!  He digs into my shoes and grabs the socks and runs all over the place trying to keep them away from me...of course Pepper and Teddy have to join in the chase!  It is utter chaos!!!!!

[Min D]

Awwww Piper looks so cute having a nap- she looks tiny in the photo. Cairns they are so much fun with their antics. They generally all seem to be alike, Tewcsby's always got an eye out for socks... Even clean ones.

 

[Mama Kim]

3 hours ago, Pepper Bug's Mom said:

Brodie is into socks!!!  He digs into my shoes and grabs the socks and runs all over the place trying to keep them away from me...of course Pepper and Teddy have to join in the chase!  It is utter chaos!!!!!

Isn't it so funny? Piper is an only dog, but she loves to be stealth and sneak those socks past me. And sometimes she hides them really well!

[Mama Kim]

3 hours ago, Min D said:

Awwww Piper looks so cute having a nap- she looks tiny in the photo. Cairns they are so much fun with their antics. They generally all seem to be alike, Tewcsby's always got an eye out for socks... Even clean ones.

 

What is it about socks? 😜

[tlwtheq]

We, at the Wilk household, are familiar with these stages.  Bless you and your Sassy.

[Dempsy's Mom]

That's where Dempsy is at.  Love his guts.  He is slowing down but still insist on being involved and having a say so in everything.  Elsie runs around him to play - it's so cute - he throws his head back and launches into the cairn trot.  He thinks he is moving so fast.  Dempsy is more affectionate than he was in the early years - loves more snuggles.  The most exciting thing for Demps are the gator rides.  Oh my he gets excited when you say "Gator."   and of course I take time to give him a ride around the farm even though I have nothing to check on, but Dempsy thinks we are on a mission. He loves missions and still enjoys telling off the cattle.  He is just so wonderful.  So Sassy - Dempsy would love to stroll with you and take naps and wake up to a snack.  Life is more about the little things now.