I celebrated Elmo’s 20th birthday in December. He is nearing the end of his run, but still manages to walk a couple hundred feet, bark at me when he wants a treat, and generally show his interest in life. He is just like a human, but he is proceeding toward his end at a quicker pace. I can only hope that when I am his age – about 100 in human terms – I will still enjoy eating, skipping down the street, and will not have turned into an old grump. Dogs show us many of our best qualities and teach us a great deal about ourselves.
C. J. rests after a long hike.