Good Old Dog

Does anyone out there have an old dog?

One that you’ve had forever? So long that you can’t really remember life before you had her?

That’s our Chloe.

She’s a permanent fixture in our life.

For 13 years she’s patiently waited at the door for us to come home. Now she can’t really hear so we have to gently wake her up when we get home. We don’t want to startle her.

We used to call her a nighttime bandit because she could get food off any counter, no matter the height. She once knocked a pie off our stove and ate the whole entire thing! I was so mad.

Now we have to lift her back legs up to help her get on the couch to nap. A place she was never allowed to be. But now, more important than the hair on our furniture is her comfort.

She’s wrecked our grass. And our carpet. And countless shoes. She’s also snuggled up with three of our, soon to be 4, babies.

She’s more like a sloth than a dog. And all heart.

I know she doesn’t have much time left. Just this morning I watched her chest to make sure she was breathing. And for a second I felt panicked.

I’m not ready.

I can’t imagine my life without an old dog like her.

Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just a little bit easier. Welcome to our journey. You can also follow us on Facebook, subscribe for exclusive videos, and subscribe to our newsletter.