nine years ago
last friday, atlas and i celebrated nine years together.
nine years! can you believe it?!
by celebrated, i mean that i told him approximately one million times that i adore him and love him and then i took him for a long hike on our favorite trail.
on saturday, i took him to the pet store and bought him a giant treat. he ate it in the sunshine. (it was too smelly to allow inside the house.) it took him 50 minutes (a record, usually treats take him seconds, maybe minutes if i’m lucky) and then he got up and walked slowly to the house. his tongue was hanging out and he was panting and he looked like he had never worked so hard in all his life. it was pretty funny. (it was really due to the sun. he usually heads for the shade after a couple of minutes, but he was so engrossed in his treat that he couldn’t be bothered.)
i know i say this often, but i cannot believe how lucky i am to have atlas in my life. he is the best four-legged friend a girl could have. my life is infinitely better and richer because he is in it and i am a better person for having known him. i have been given the greatest gift – nine years of unconditional love and joy and companionship and play and adventure. i wouldn’t trade it (or him) for anything.
he is my pup, and i am his girl, and i hope there are many more years in our future.
(today, he is slightly less happy, as he is limping, and he does not like it. he keeps sitting tall in front of me and waving his bad leg at me helplessly and looking at me with big sad eyes like he knows i can fix it if i just try. oh, how i wish i could. here’s hoping he feels better soon.)
There is nothing better than being loved by a good dog.
When Indy comes up lame from running too hard and fast, I usually massage the leg (it’s his back one) and then put an ice pack and then a heat pack on him. He seems to like it.
Oooh! A lovely idea! I gave Atlas a massage today and he seemed to enjoy it. Plus reiki last night, which is sort of like a heat pack.
he loves the long trail but maybe the long trail no longer loves him so much.
the hardest thing is to see them hurt.
he is your special boy for sure.
love to you both,
tam
Atlas may be getting arthritis in his front leg. Nikki (my German Shepherd) has it in both front elbows. She gets a monthly shot of adequin which seems to help.
Give Atlas a pet from me.
and I am glad he’s in your life too:)
p.s. i watched hachi a couple weeks ago…bawled my eyes out, prob the 2nd most emotional movie ever for me.
I hear you. I can relate completely. I feel like that about my Jack
I am trialling a new ‘natural joint support formula’ for him. Should take about two – three weeks to see results. I am hoping it is successful and gives him relief. I worry about the ‘conventional’ treatments. They can be so harsh.
Yes, Tammy is probably right. Jack loved long walks, but limped after extended periods. So, we have come to appreciate shorter walks that don’t tax him so much.
It’s so hard to see my once youthful, boundless energy boy age. He’s now a dear old senior citizen and I need to remember to adjust our activities accordingly.
Your boy Atlas is a dear sweetie. Love to see pics of him, he is beautiful
Tammy: Happily, I think the long trail still loves him. Every once in a while, he limps, and it’s usually something that needs adjusting in his neck. I suspect it’s the same this time. Good thing, because I would really miss his boundless energy on hikes!
Jerry: I will! Poor Nikki. I’m glad her shot helps her.
Helen: Good to know, good to know. 😉
Vicki: I hope it’s successful too! There was one time when I wondered if Atlas had arthritis and his holistic vet gave him a Chinese herb formula that supposedly really helped. Except then it turned out it wasn’t arthritis, it was just him adjusting to his adjustment. The lovely thing about dogs is that they like all walks! Long or short.
I’m so glad it’s just Atlas’ “adjustments”
You’re very lucky there.
Looking forward to more pics of the beautiful Atlas – he is gorgeous!
Oh, how well I know that helpless feeling… Bailey has had some bouts of indigestion/diarrhea lately and has been the same way – clingy, pleading, etc. Oh, to be able to communicate with words!
Anyway, hope all is well now and I’m so happy for your 9 wonderful years together!!!
HAPPY 9th!! Pet-People-Love is sooo sweet! Massage for Atlas is a good idea. Hope he is Ok. How happy we are that you share him with us” :o) Great to catch up with you more here, Elizabeth! I’ve been offline a few days having some fun, just now surfacing! :o) Happy Weekend ((HUGS))
Congratulations, Elizabeth and Atlas!
We love you both – the kitties send their love too. 
wonderful friendship!