Golden Years

This is Splash, one of our three dogs.  She is a Shetland Sheepdog and, when much younger, did well in the show ring.  But she wasn't really into it and for most of her life has basically been hanging out.  Now she is 15.  Her 16th birthday is next month.

Splash's hearing is mostly gone and it's not clear how great her vision is, but other than that she's super healthy, thanks to good genes, an organic raw diet, an expensive regimen of mysterious naturopathic supplements and the fact that we go to the same vet as Martha Stewart (although we were there first). And maybe most important, the informed ministrations of Jason. Two years ago she had surgery for a large, malignant mammary tumor, and she came through with flying colors. "She's a little truck," the vet said, with some amazement, at her great recovery.  

Splash came to live with us in 2001, after our first dog, Astra, died at a young age of kidney failure. She was just three and a half.  I don't think I've ever really gotten over it. Astra was my best friend and I still miss her.  I named my S-Corp after her, and she is one of the three people I dedicated The Creative Lawyer to.  Splash is Astra's mother, and also the mom of Luna, one of other dogs.  (Our third dog, Jackson, has the same father as Luna, but a different mother.) 

When Splash first came to live with us, I didn't feel all that close to her.  She's laid-back (except around food), and basically pretty lazy.  Or maybe a better way of saying that is that she's pretty chilled out.  She likes to eat, and sleep, and sometimes stand on the couch to bark at people walking by on West 84th St.  But over the years, I have become much closer to her.  She is affectionate, and she really enjoys life, in her own style.

When I was younger, the term "golden years" didn't resonate much with me.  I associated it with the movie, "On Golden Pond," starring Henry and Jane Fonda.  It seemed an unconvincing euphemism for the declining years before you die. 

Now I think I get it.  Because these years with Splash feel golden.  Golden years now means an awareness that time is limited, combined with a deep appreciation for all we've had, and continue to have.  Nowadays, I enjoy every day with Splash.  With a dog, every day provides multiple opportunities for little happinesses.  I have oatmeal, Splash has a little oatmeal.  I make a quesadilla, Splash has a bit of quesadilla.  We wake up together and play together.  I watch TV, she watches TV. 

Of course, there's lots of petting and cooing. 

Interestingly, these golden years parallel a different time of golden years -- when dogs are puppies, and humans are babies and little kids.  In these times, it's a lot easier to take live day by day, and moment by moment, and experience how beautiful a thing it can be. 

 

Comments

[CM]

SO sweet! I love doggies. Hey, I found your blog because I was curious what ever happened to you after the Geo Stephanopolous Fan Club!

[Michael Melcher]

OMG -- it's superfan Caren Lissner! Last seen at our GLOBAL George Stephanopolous Fan Club CONVENTION on the Upper West Side. Why, it seems only yesterday that we were editing your "Readers Potpourri" entry to the Stephanopouletter. And now you're all grown up (cool website, by the way.)

I did see George several years ago at his book signing. He was friendly (having seemingly forgotten the "Mom-to-Mom Interview debacle) and charmingly wrote, "Michael, thanks for getting out of the fan club business."

[Jenny]

Michael - I love my dog too, and your blog really hit home! I treasure every moment with my Pepper. I lost a cat that I had for 19 years about 3 years ago. I still cry when I think of him.

I've just learned of you. I am someone who has aspired to be an attorney since grammer school. I have more recently began to question if that is what I want to do with my life. I've been working as a Paralegal at a Civil Defense Law Firm for 7 years. Needless to say this experience has sort of disenfranchised my idea of what it would be like to be an attorney. Any advice? Thanks!