Where Does the Time Go?

It seems like yesterday I had Addison come into my life. A year later Maggie showed up. Both Aussie's but each very different. Addison my food obsessed girl and Maggie my intuitive. They have been through thick and thin with me. They each have a special place in my heart.

They grew up together, each taking turns at being alpha dog. It depended on the day who would take over. Addison really didn't want the job most of the time and Maggie seem to relish the idea of getting things over on Addison. Addison did very well with her crate training when she was a puppy, Maggie was the complete opposite. Addison waiting until I came home from work and pretty much didn't chew on a thing in the house. Maggie I figured chewed through about $4000 worth of stuff when she was little. She needed to be challenged and if I wasn't there to do it she would find something to get into. She on the other hand did not do well with crate training. When I would go off to work I could stand outside and hear her thrashing about in her crate. Confinement didn't sit well with her so eventually I gave up and just let her stay outside the crate with Addie.

I remember one day I came home from work and there she was sitting off in the living room. Normally her and Addie would greet me at the door unless one of them had gotten into something. This one day Maggie didn't greet me so I knew something was up. I walked through the whole house and everything was all in order. As I peaked into the kitchen where the dog door was I could see there was a pillow stuck in the dog door. Maggie had been hard at work trying to get the pillow out the door. Ahh but her work did not stop there! As I opened the door to pull the pillow out there in the back yard was some of the laundry. There were bras and underwear all over the back yard. I had to stop and laugh as I was out in the yard picking all the clothes up just knowing the neighbors were probably staring out the windows watching me.

Maggie explained to me she thought it would be a good game to see how much stuff she could get outside but then she got stuck inside when the pillow wouldn't go through the dog door. Then when she heard me come home she was thinking maybe that wasn't such a good game to play with me. But all was forgiven and peace was restored to the household.

Now as I sit here typing they are all laying at my feet. Addison and Maggie both have cancer now, Maggie's is growing extremely fast and there really isn't a whole lot to do except keep her comfortable. We had discussed the possibility of treatments but she is not willing to do anything "heroic", so we do what we can. Addie is 12 years old and Maggie is 11 years old. Far too young in my book to be going anywhere but the choice is not up to me. I just don't know where the time went with both of them. They have been through so much with me and my crazy life, but I know they wouldn't have wanted it any other way.

So for now we enjoy each day as it comes as I know the time grows nearer. The spirit is still strong, it is the body that is weak. So much to learn from them about dignity and dying. They are my heart.

Happy Trails,
Sherry