Old dogs, the best dogs

There was a touching story in yesterday's Washington Post. It was an excerpt called "Something about Harry" from a book entitled "Old Dogs" by Post staff writer Gene Weingarten.

Click here to read the excerpt. Be sure and look at the photo gallery, too.

The story tells the tale of Weingarten's 13-year-old dog and his last days, and why old dogs are the best dogs.

"Old dogs can be cloudy-eyed and grouchy, gray of muzzle, graceless of gait, odd of habit, hard of hearing, pimply, wheezy, lazy and lumpy. But to anyone who has ever known an old dog, these flaws are of little consequence. Old dogs are vulnerable. They show exorbitant gratitude and limitless trust. They are without artifice. They are funny in new and unexpected ways. But, above all, they seem at peace."

I think of Kate when I read things like this. She's 13. She doesn't play like she used to.

And still there are times when I see the puppy in her eyes. When she wants a little attention. When she knows I need lick on the hand.

I know the days we have in front of us are considerably less than the days we have had.

That gives me pause.

And then I look at Kate — sleeping, shedding — and though when the time comes I will miss her, I wouldn't trade the now for anything.