I really love dogs, but I don’t have one of my own. I do have two granddogs: Macy (Beagle) and Lilly (Pit Bull), my daughter’s and grandson’s treasured pets. I have come to love both of them as I spend a lot of time with my daughter at their home in Bay City.
Macy is 15 years old now and nearing the end of her life. She was a rescue dog adopted from a shelter when they were living in Traverse City. The boys were little and Macy has been a big part of their lives while they’ve grown up. She was quite the escape artist and would run out of the house as fast as could, running as far as possible before she was caught. The grandkids would grab a box of dog treats, yelling her name while chasing her. And you can’t leave a plate of food anywhere near Macy. The little food bandit will eat it faster than you can blink your eyes.
Macy now has cancer and has a large tumor on her neck that won’t heal, so she has to wear a cone to keep her from scratching it open. She has cataracts and some doggy dementia. The vet told my daughter that the cancer was inoperable and the best thing to do is to let her live out her life and to enjoy her as much as they all can.
August 10 is National Spoil Your Dog Day!
Doggy dementia is a true disorder and affects Macy mostly at night, when she becomes anxious and can’t sleep. When I am staying at my daughter’s home, I will wake up and see Macy just sitting there, staring at me, wanting to be petted and loved. She also becomes very restless and often keeps my daughter awake. In spite of all her conditions, she is just as sweet as she has always been, and still begs for treats and will steal a sandwich off your plate in a heartbeat.
Lilly and Macy have become the best of friends and spend most of their days sleeping. Lilly, however, is still an escape artist and if you leave a window open even the tiniest crack, she will find a way to open it and jump out through the screen! And the chase to find her then ensues, usually in the car. On one occasion, when my grandson was living in a different state, he saw a Facebook post about a pit bull wandering around in their neighborhood. He called my daughter at work and told her she better get home and find Lilly!
Lilly
Since Lilly is quite a bit larger than Macy, she has the ability to reach for food that may have accidentally been left out on a countertop. She has been known to steal a full box of donuts for her and Macy to share.
In spite of it all, the dogs have brought much joy to all of us. Lilly thinks she is a lap dog and will climb up on the couch to sit and give many kisses. And when Macy looks at you with those big brown eyes, I just have to give her some love.
They say a dog is a man’s best friend, and it is so true. There is nothing that lifts your spirits more after a long day than being greeted by an adorable, furry face. No one can deny the love and the bond between man and his four-legged friends.
