Things I learned from my geriatric dog....

Otis was our SUPER geriatric, deaf, blind, kinda senile, not ultra bright dachshund and he had been our loyal companion for over 13 years after we adopted him as a rescue. At 20+ years old he passed. In those last couple of years, he didn't do much of anything, and he smelled kinda funny, but he was ours and we wouldn't have had him any other way. We loved him for everything that he was and we still do. And despite the fact that he was as bright as a burned out light bulb, there were quite a few important things I learned from him. I've compiled a list of some of them:

1.) Pee when you gotta pee, poop when you gotta poop, fart when you gotta fart, burp when you gotta burp. Life's short. The people who love you should love you no matter what you do anyway. Everybody pees, poops, farts and burps. It shouldn't matter to the people that matter most that you do too.

2.) When you take a nap or make sleepy times, make sure you do it well. Make sure you're in the most comfortable position, drool on yourself, snore open mouthed, and dream well. Dreams are probably the only way you're going to be able to do some of the things you want to when you aren't able to or just can't do any more.

3.) Nom your food like it's the nommiest thing you've ever eaten. Enjoy every bite and eat until you're full.

4.) Find a sunshine-y spot and roll around in it and lie down in it. Take time to enjoy the little things in life that bring you a happy moment no matter how small.

5.) Take the time to enjoy the moments you have with your family and friends and let them really know that you love them and that you really enjoy their company. Make sure they really feel how much you appreciate them, even if you may not have the words to tell them. If you really mean it, they'll know without you ever saying a word.

6.) Bark at the people you don't like and let them know exactly how you feel. No use taking that in and holding on to it. Speak your mind, then let it go, and forget about it. Then, just move along and go back about your business.

7.) Happiness CAN be as simple as a warm blanket to curl up in on a rainy day.

8.) When you go outside, make sure you take in a lot of deep breaths of fresh air. It does a lot of good to clear the cobwebs inside your head sometimes. It helps air out the place...

9.) There's nothing wrong with taking a moment "to think" and make everyone around you wonder what the hell you're thinking about. Sometimes, just taking a moment for yourself and spacing out isn't such a terrible thing.

10.) Being tired happens, but make sure you take the time to acknowledge someone when they come to you and you realize they're there, even when you're fast asleep.

11.) It's okay that sometimes you have to get carried to go somewhere. At least you know you can count on people to help you get to where you have to go. Having people you can depend on is a blessing. Having people to lend you a hand when they know you need it most, even though you didn't ask for it, is awesome.

12.) Live a long life even though you've probably lived WAY passed your "usefulness". There are probably those whom you mean the world to. Everyday is another special gift you can give to them. And in those days, make sure to do as many of all these things listed here as possible. There should never be any regrets about the things you hadn't done in life, especially when the list can be kept so simple.

Thanks for these and many other important life lessons old man. You were the greatest dog in the world and I love you and miss you so much. Now... Good dog. Sleep.