"Gather The Rosebuds While Ye May"

The thing that amazes me most about Gucci's aging is how quickly it is happening! I have mentioned before that less than a year ago: I was still riding the bike with him, playing endless games of fetch, watching him leap off and on the deck and taking fast 2 mile walks in the park. Today, he can't stand or walk inside the house, he can't eat unassisted. He has to be carried outside where he wobbles to stand and walk. The pace of his deterioration is continuing. A month or so ago he could still walk in the house and go to the back door and bark to be let out. We could let him out and he could get on and off of the deck - usually. When I carry him outside and stand him up on the grass he generally falls four or five times until he is able to stand well enough to get his balance and strength to pee. I think there is a lesson in this for all of us. Some of the reading I have done suggests that an older person's aging is often accelerated by an accident or fall. Very quickly they can die or age and end up in assisted living. It makes me think of one of my favorite movies "The Dead Poets Society", when English teacher Robin Williams brings his class to a display case with a picture of an old athletic team. He has them lean in to hear what the people in the picture are saying. He whispers "Seize the day, gather the rosebuds while ye may." I'm profoundly affected by Gucci's experience and I will try to live life to the fullest everyday. The "Summer of Gucci" continues...