My Dog Auggie: Tibi Gratias Ago
December 10th 2006 14:14
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My dog Auggie turns 8 today. I found him in the animal shelter 7 years ago. He's been hangin' out with me ever since. He's a Collie-Basset Hound and the best of my friends. He plans to celebrate with walks, a car ride, a chew bone, and a good nap or four.
Auggie's also one of my fitness advisers. In fact, since he and I have both aging a little lately he's been especially valuable. He and I have been the same age for the last few months, but he has decided to forge ahead and leave me behind. I've told him that I will be along and not to worry.
Auggie's shown me some really good stuff about aging and fitness. When he was youngster he was a terror. He chewed up everything he could get his mouth on. It was easy for him and he knew no bounds. Books, tv remotes, furniture, 100s of chew bones. He's still a chewer, but he is more selective. When his younger associates, Lou and Deniro, are grabbing for whatever chew items are on the menu, he hangs back and paces his chewing. Still chews, but he does it in a more methodical fashion. Kind of like me. I used to work out twice a day- morning and afternoon, but I just try to keep at training now. Maybe the rabid part has got to pass away.
The young Auggie was a walking machine. He didn't care where or when he walked. He was a reckless walker. Now, he is more intelligent about it. He knows his limit and when we're out he sometimes turns to me and lets me know that he's ready to relax, so we come home. He always wants to go walking, though, partly, I think, because it important, and partly because it who he is. Weights are who I am and I still get into the gym and grab some dumbbells and see what an old dog can do. I hope to celebrate 60 or 70 years the gym some day.
My friend is also much more careful about injuring himself. He probably knows that an 8 year old can do that more easily than a 4 year old. Auggie used to bolt from the ground right into the seat of the car when he went for a ride. Now, he steps up one step at a time. I know the feeling. I know what a hassle an injury can be and I'll be careful too.
Yeah, Auggie got the overweight blues when he was 6-7. I had to put him on the Deniro diet. That's a special diet in which most of his treats are snatched away from Auggie by the ever greedy Deniro, his Chow mix associate and diet compliance officer. Auggie takes it well and has lost about 10lbs. He savors the treats he gets more now. And I can relate. Golly, sometimes I am amazed at all the good stuff I used to eat, but no way now. I try to follow Auggie' example, however, and enjoy goodies in a much more restrained fashion.
I am not a perfect pupil, tough. Auggie always stretches before exercise. I can't stand it and walk right onto the lifting floor and start a heavy set without any of that girly warmup stuff. Auggie's a patient adviser. He'll just keep leading by example, I'm sure. He's a master teacher. He's taught his youngest associate, Lou, how to take over the business, as retirement beckons ("when the trash man comes, we bark like crazy," stuff like that). I'm sure he will show me the way into the quiet time with the skill he has always displayed. Love you, dearest friend.
Auggie
Auggie's also one of my fitness advisers. In fact, since he and I have both aging a little lately he's been especially valuable. He and I have been the same age for the last few months, but he has decided to forge ahead and leave me behind. I've told him that I will be along and not to worry.
Auggie's shown me some really good stuff about aging and fitness. When he was youngster he was a terror. He chewed up everything he could get his mouth on. It was easy for him and he knew no bounds. Books, tv remotes, furniture, 100s of chew bones. He's still a chewer, but he is more selective. When his younger associates, Lou and Deniro, are grabbing for whatever chew items are on the menu, he hangs back and paces his chewing. Still chews, but he does it in a more methodical fashion. Kind of like me. I used to work out twice a day- morning and afternoon, but I just try to keep at training now. Maybe the rabid part has got to pass away.
The young Auggie was a walking machine. He didn't care where or when he walked. He was a reckless walker. Now, he is more intelligent about it. He knows his limit and when we're out he sometimes turns to me and lets me know that he's ready to relax, so we come home. He always wants to go walking, though, partly, I think, because it important, and partly because it who he is. Weights are who I am and I still get into the gym and grab some dumbbells and see what an old dog can do. I hope to celebrate 60 or 70 years the gym some day.
My friend is also much more careful about injuring himself. He probably knows that an 8 year old can do that more easily than a 4 year old. Auggie used to bolt from the ground right into the seat of the car when he went for a ride. Now, he steps up one step at a time. I know the feeling. I know what a hassle an injury can be and I'll be careful too.
Yeah, Auggie got the overweight blues when he was 6-7. I had to put him on the Deniro diet. That's a special diet in which most of his treats are snatched away from Auggie by the ever greedy Deniro, his Chow mix associate and diet compliance officer. Auggie takes it well and has lost about 10lbs. He savors the treats he gets more now. And I can relate. Golly, sometimes I am amazed at all the good stuff I used to eat, but no way now. I try to follow Auggie' example, however, and enjoy goodies in a much more restrained fashion.
I am not a perfect pupil, tough. Auggie always stretches before exercise. I can't stand it and walk right onto the lifting floor and start a heavy set without any of that girly warmup stuff. Auggie's a patient adviser. He'll just keep leading by example, I'm sure. He's a master teacher. He's taught his youngest associate, Lou, how to take over the business, as retirement beckons ("when the trash man comes, we bark like crazy," stuff like that). I'm sure he will show me the way into the quiet time with the skill he has always displayed. Love you, dearest friend.
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