That first step you take is the longest stride

OK, time to face facts. I can't bring Drifter along on every walk. As much as he loves it and tries so hard to keep up like he's a 2 year old he can't. It hurts him I don't want to see him hobbling around not useing his one front leg and sliding across the floor with the other one. I just about cry every time I see him after a walk. But even then he tries so hard to show he's not in pain. If I go on a second walk with Boone he scoots across the floor as fast as his old body can. His eyes as bright as a child's on christmas morning. His mind his ready to go but his body isn't. I hate the look that crosses his face when I tell him to stay and be a good boy. Its like someone killed his best friend, betrayed him... I almost give in, sometimes I do and let him come along. If that happens he's completely useless for th rest of the night and into the next day. It kills me to see my playful, puppy Riffer-Roo turn into this old man before my eyes... before his own eyes. To know that one day he's not going to be riding shotgun with me in the car, when I jingle my keys there won't be a 92lb black tank come running towards me and hop around me the whole way to the car like we're going on same grand adventure when in reality we're only going to Tim Hortons or to the bank. When that time comes... I don't know how I'll cope, I'm sure I will somehow but he's been with me for 8 out of his 9 years. It's going to be hard.

I'll keep taking him on walks, just not the longer ones, hopefully this will be less painful for both of us. One short walk a day just doesn't do it for Boone. A nice walk around the block then later take Boone out alone to the trails for 2 hours or so. I'm sure it'll be good for me too, with what I eat I can't sit around all day or I'll turn into some blob. Big steps need to be made, I'm coming to see this now, with everyone/thing. Time to step up and take control before they get out of control.