My dog Cookie is 13 years old, which moves her into the stage of life we call Senior Dogitude. Well, maybe that's not the precise veterinary term. But it's closer than the other phrase I am using for her current status: Weird Old Lady.
She's forgetful. Often she'll stand at the back door, asking to go out and, upon getting her wish, do one of two things: Turn around and go back to her bed, or go out onto the back porch and stand there looking around until you remind her to do some business. Then she gets this "Oh, yeah, now I remember" look on her face, completes the mission, and then finds a million things to distract her on the way back to the house.
She's possessive. Her water dish is her favorite thing in the world and she is not at all happy that the two cats, Charlie and Maynard, have decided Cookie's water is the best in the house (with the possible exception of the drips coming from the leaky faucet in the bathroom).
Cookie has also decided that she loves catnip toys. It's not uncommon to see her walking through the house with a catnip mouse hanging from her teeth. Weird. Or perhaps she's just getting even over the water dish thing.
She's argumentative. If she comes up to you demanding the last bite of your pizza crust, and you tell her no, be ready to defend your position against a barrage of whines, growls, barks, grumbles, squeaks, and mutters, not to mention the clackety-clack jaw action I like to call Dog Castanets.
She's gassy. Whoever coined the phrase "ripe old age" must have had a dog, because ripe is exactly the right word. And diet seems to make no difference. No matter what she eats, whether the typical canine garbage diet or the super-premium Golden Age Formula dog food, it turns instantly to methane - lots and lots of it, too, and of the stinkiest variety.
Remember a few days back when the temperature was down around 0 Fahrenheit? Cookie was in my office, sound asleep, floating dog biscuits. I had to open the windows.
So, let's add it up: Forgetful, possessive, argumentative, gassy.
Good heavens! Cookie is behaving exactly like my mother.
Well, maybe not exactly. As far as I know, Mom is not inclined to drink from the toilet when her water dish is empty, and neither is she known to snack on cat food. Other than that, though, the similarities are remarkable, except Cookie spends her days sleeping, while Mom watches basketball. They both, however, are fond of barking at passers-by.
I must admit I have found myself somewhat unprepared for the challenges of Senior Dogitude and, for that matter, Senior Momitude.
Cookie is a big girl, around 80 pounds, and the standard rule of thumb says big dogs don't live as long as smaller ones. At 13 and healthy, Cookie is pushing the envelope.
And as for Mom, I suppose no kid (and we're all kids, no matter our age) is completely prepared to see a parent grow old. The lucky thing for me, I guess, is that Mom has ALWAYS been forgetful, possessive, argumentative, and gassy, so it's not too much of a shock.
They're Weird Old Ladies, yes. But they're MY Weird Old Ladies. And I love them.
I’ve not kept it a secret that I find people who dress their dogs in clothes to be, to put it nicely, somewhat more than just eccentric. And many friendly, helpful readers out there have not kept it a secret that they really wish I would not express my views about dogs dressed as humans.
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
It sounds like the plot from a dystopian libertarian novel. The word “patriot” and the phrase “educating on the Constitution and Bill of Rights” triggered heightened scrutiny from the most intrusive agency in the federal government.
The action at the bird feeder has been spectacular lately: Cardinals, finches, songbirds in impressive variety crowding around all day long in search of sustenance. It is truly gratifying …
Everyone presumes that Sen. Chuck Schumer, the media-hungry Democrat from New York, wants to be the next Senate majority leader. His performance in the negotiations over the Gang of Eight immigration plan should bolster his case for an eventual promotion.
Someone had to take the fall for President Barack Obama thoughtlessly drawing a “red line” threatening serious consequences if Syria used chemical weapons. It turns out that it is the president himself.
There were other issues that had potentially greater financial impact or will leave a more resolute imprint on people’s lives, such as Medicaid expansion and Common Core.
Oregon and Idaho each had to shut down three water gauges due to automatic budget cuts, known as sequestration. Watch how Idaho relies on these water gauges, from tracking drought conditions to determining stream levels for salmon.
Oregon and Idaho each had to shut down three water gauges due to automatic budget cuts, known as sequestration. Watch how Idaho relies on these water gauges, from tracking drought conditions to determining stream levels for salmon.
Commentary
Discussion
Age is just a matter of mind
By Mike Redmond CNHI
My dog Cookie is 13 years old, which moves her into the stage of life we call Senior Dogitude. Well, maybe that's not the precise veterinary term. But it's closer than the other phrase I am using for her current status: Weird Old Lady.
She's forgetful. Often she'll stand at the back door, asking to go out and, upon getting her wish, do one of two things: Turn around and go back to her bed, or go out onto the back porch and stand there looking around until you remind her to do some business. Then she gets this "Oh, yeah, now I remember" look on her face, completes the mission, and then finds a million things to distract her on the way back to the house.
She's possessive. Her water dish is her favorite thing in the world and she is not at all happy that the two cats, Charlie and Maynard, have decided Cookie's water is the best in the house (with the possible exception of the drips coming from the leaky faucet in the bathroom).
Cookie has also decided that she loves catnip toys. It's not uncommon to see her walking through the house with a catnip mouse hanging from her teeth. Weird. Or perhaps she's just getting even over the water dish thing.
She's argumentative. If she comes up to you demanding the last bite of your pizza crust, and you tell her no, be ready to defend your position against a barrage of whines, growls, barks, grumbles, squeaks, and mutters, not to mention the clackety-clack jaw action I like to call Dog Castanets.
She's gassy. Whoever coined the phrase "ripe old age" must have had a dog, because ripe is exactly the right word. And diet seems to make no difference. No matter what she eats, whether the typical canine garbage diet or the super-premium Golden Age Formula dog food, it turns instantly to methane - lots and lots of it, too, and of the stinkiest variety.
Remember a few days back when the temperature was down around 0 Fahrenheit? Cookie was in my office, sound asleep, floating dog biscuits. I had to open the windows.
So, let's add it up: Forgetful, possessive, argumentative, gassy.
Good heavens! Cookie is behaving exactly like my mother.
Well, maybe not exactly. As far as I know, Mom is not inclined to drink from the toilet when her water dish is empty, and neither is she known to snack on cat food. Other than that, though, the similarities are remarkable, except Cookie spends her days sleeping, while Mom watches basketball. They both, however, are fond of barking at passers-by.
I must admit I have found myself somewhat unprepared for the challenges of Senior Dogitude and, for that matter, Senior Momitude.
Cookie is a big girl, around 80 pounds, and the standard rule of thumb says big dogs don't live as long as smaller ones. At 13 and healthy, Cookie is pushing the envelope.
And as for Mom, I suppose no kid (and we're all kids, no matter our age) is completely prepared to see a parent grow old. The lucky thing for me, I guess, is that Mom has ALWAYS been forgetful, possessive, argumentative, and gassy, so it's not too much of a shock.
They're Weird Old Ladies, yes. But they're MY Weird Old Ladies. And I love them.
© 2013 Mike Redmond. All Rights Reserved.
I’ve not kept it a secret that I find people who dress their dogs in clothes to be, to put it nicely, somewhat more than just eccentric. And many friendly, helpful readers out there have not kept it a secret that they really wish I would not express my views about dogs dressed as humans.
May 17, 2013
Distrust of government secrecy has been elevated to an exceptional level with the disclosure the Justice Department covertly examined two months of Associated Press phone records to determine who leaked details to the AP about a foiled terrorist plot.
May 17, 2013
The federal government recently announced new regulations for buying fast food.
May 17, 2013
It sounds like the plot from a dystopian libertarian novel. The word “patriot” and the phrase “educating on the Constitution and Bill of Rights” triggered heightened scrutiny from the most intrusive agency in the federal government.
May 17, 2013
The action at the bird feeder has been spectacular lately: Cardinals, finches, songbirds in impressive variety crowding around all day long in search of sustenance. It is truly gratifying …
For my neighbor.
That’s what it’s like at his feeder.
May 14, 2013
On April 27, Dr. Jeff Butts demonstrated a rare form of servant leadership as he participated in the Go Love Indy westside service project.
May 13, 2013
Everyone presumes that Sen. Chuck Schumer, the media-hungry Democrat from New York, wants to be the next Senate majority leader. His performance in the negotiations over the Gang of Eight immigration plan should bolster his case for an eventual promotion.
May 13, 2013
Someone had to take the fall for President Barack Obama thoughtlessly drawing a “red line” threatening serious consequences if Syria used chemical weapons. It turns out that it is the president himself.
May 13, 2013
There were other issues that had potentially greater financial impact or will leave a more resolute imprint on people’s lives, such as Medicaid expansion and Common Core.
May 13, 2013
It happens every year at this time; I make a little dandelion whine. So here goes.
May 10, 2013
Follow me on Twitter
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Government
Oregon and Idaho each had to shut down three water gauges due to automatic budget cuts, known as sequestration. Watch how Idaho relies on these water gauges, from tracking drought conditions to determining stream levels for salmon.
May 15, 2013 1 Photo
Complete Report:
Part I: Are We Prepared? | Part II: Disaster Dollars
Part III: Lessons Learned | Part IV: Warning Signs
Part V: The Big One
When it comes to midsized family sedans, the Kia Optima ranks high on my list for its good looks, economy and value.
May 17, 2013 1 Photo
Oregon and Idaho each had to shut down three water gauges due to automatic budget cuts, known as sequestration. Watch how Idaho relies on these water gauges, from tracking drought conditions to determining stream levels for salmon.
May 15, 2013 1 Photo
Complete Report:
Part I: Are We Prepared? | Part II: Disaster Dollars
Part III: Lessons Learned | Part IV: Warning Signs
Part V: The Big One
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